Moroccan Chickpea Rice Salad

This plant-based Moroccan Chickpea Rice Salad is bursting with exotic Moroccan flavors and fresh herbs, and it’s incredibly easy to make. The flavors of garlic, ginger, spices, olive oil, lemon juice, and raisins brings the salad to perfection.

What is Moroccan Rice Salad?

Moroccan Rice Salad is a vibrant and flavorful dish that combines cooked rice with various ingredients commonly found in Moroccan cuisine. This refreshing salad typically includes vegetables, herbs, and spices, resulting in a nutritious and colorful meal.

Is Moroccan Chickpea Rice Salad gluten-free?

Moroccan Rice Salad is naturally gluten-free, provided you use gluten-free rice and check that all spices are gluten-free. It is also vegan, making it suitable for a plant-based diet.

Key Ingredients in Moroccan Chickpea Rice Salad?

The main ingredients in Moroccan Chickpea Rice Salad include:

• Cooked Rice: Usually long-grain or basmati.
• Chickpeas: For protein and texture.
• Raisins: Adding a touch of sweetness.
• Carrots: For crunch and color.
• Bell Peppers: Often red or yellow, for freshness and flavor.
• Red Onions: For a bit of sharpness.
• Fresh Herbs: Such as mint and parsley, for added freshness.
• Dressing: Good quality olive oil, lemon juice, ginger, and Moroccan spices like cumin, coriander, cinnamon, and turmeric.

Hot or Cold Moroccan Rice Salad

Moroccan Rice Salad is usually served cold or at room temperature. This makes it an ideal choice for picnics, potlucks, or as a refreshing side dish on a warm day.

Customize the Ingredients

Yes, Moroccan Rice Salad is highly customizable. You can adjust the ingredients to suit your taste preferences or dietary needs. Consider adding items like dried apricots, nuts, or extra vegetables. You can also modify the spice levels and herbs according to your liking.

Storing Rice Salad

To store Moroccan Rice Salad, keep it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will stay fresh for up to 4-5 days. Before serving leftovers, bring the salad to room temperature, and you might want to refresh the salad with a drizzle of olive oil and a squeeze of lemon juice.

What can I serve with Moroccan Rice Salad? 

Moroccan Rice Salad can be served as a standalone dish or as a side dish alongside various Moroccan or Mediterranean-inspired dishes. It pairs well  vegan mains such as Gluten Free Falafel Burger, grilled meats, seafood such as Salmon Burgers with Water Chestnuts.

Or, as a complement to roasted veggies such as the Baked Yams Stuffed with Roasted Spiced Veggies.

Is Moroccan Chickpea Rice Salad a traditional Moroccan dish? 

While the flavors and ingredients in Moroccan Rice Salad draw inspiration from Moroccan cuisine, it is not considered a traditional Moroccan dish. It’s more of a fusion salad that incorporates Moroccan flavors and ingredients into a rice-based salad.

Moroccan chickpea rice salad recipe details

This salad is probably one of the simplest salads to make. Here are the details:

1. Cool the rice first
2. Add remaining ingredients to the cooled rice, and mix to combine
3. Rest the salad to develop flavors

The zesty lemon and olive oil combined with spices, garlic, ginger and fresh herbs infuses the rice and chickpeas with so much flavour and freshness. However, it needs time to rest.

The combination of rice and chickpeas are a perfect match. In addition, by combining the two, this plant-based salad becomes a complete protein.

What is a complete protein?

When following a plant-based diet, our concern is whether we are getting enough complete protein. 

A complete protein, also known as a high-quality protein, is a food source that contains all nine essential amino acids in adequate amounts that the human body requires for optimal health and functioning. Essential amino acids are those that the body cannot produce on its own and must be obtained from the diet.

The nine essential amino acids are:

• Histidine
• Isoleucine
• Leucine
• Lysine
• Methionine
• Phenylalanine
• Threonine
• Tryptophan
• Valine

Foods considered complete proteins typically come from animal sources, such as meat, poultry, fish, eggs, and dairy products. These sources generally contain all nine essential amino acids in the right proportions for human needs.

However, there are also plant-based sources of complete proteins, though they are relatively rare. Soy products (like tofu and tempeh) and quinoa, such as this yummy Greek quinoa salad, are examples of plant-based complete proteins. They provide all nine essential amino acids, making them valuable protein sources for vegetarians and vegans.

Most other plant-based protein sources are considered incomplete proteins because they lack one or more of the essential amino acids in sufficient quantities. However, combining different plant-based protein sources in a meal, such as beans and rice, you can still obtain all the essential amino acids necessary for a complete protein profile.

Make Ahead Moroccan Chickpea Rice Salad

Yes, Moroccan Rice Salad is a great make-ahead dish. In fact, it often tastes even better after the flavors have had time to meld. You can prepare it a few hours or even a day ahead of serving.

There is so much going on in this rice and chickpea salad that it’s anything but boring. The leftovers make for a delicious lunch or a snack on the following days.

Rice salads come in handy when entertaining large gatherings and summer barbecues because you can prepare the salad well in advance and have it ready when you need it.

10-minute rice salad

I know this salad recipe has a long list of ingredients. However, they are mostly spices. This Moroccan salad’s two main ingredients are rice and chickpeas, making this a simple recipe. The salad takes only minutes to put together, but it has to rest for at least thirty minutes for the flavors to develop. And yes, it is vegan.

If you like the flavours of Moroccan cuisine, check out this Lamb Stew with Saffron Ginger and Green Beans Recipe.

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Many thanks!

Kristina xx