Crispy Gochujang Rice Salad 

This Crispy Gochujang Rice Salad offers an exhilarating mix of textures and bold flavors in just over 30 minutes. Leftover brown rice is coated with spicy-sweet gochujang, sesame oil, and soy sauce before baking to golden crispiness. It’s then tossed with fresh cucumbers, peas, avocado, green onions, mint, and cilantro. The creamy tahini-lime dressing brings it all together with a tangy finish. Vibrant, plant-based, gluten-free, and easy to customize, this salad works beautifully as a light lunch, dinner, or make-ahead meal prep option for any week.

Ingredients

For the Rice

• 2 cups cooked and cooled brown rice (preferably leftover)
  
  

• 2 tsp gochujang
  
  

• 2 Tbsp sesame oil
  
  

• 2 Tbsp soy sauce 

For the Salad

• 1 cup steamed peas
  
  

• 1 Persian cucumber, chopped
  
  

• 3 green onions, finely sliced
  
  

• 1 avocado, diced
  
  

• ¼ cup fresh mint, chopped
  
  

• ¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped
  
  

For the Dressing

• 1 Tbsp honey
  
  

• 2 Tbsp soy sauce
  
  

• ¼ cup tahini
  
  

• ¼ cup lime juice
  
  

• ¼ cup water
  
  

Directions

1. Crisp the rice
   
   

   • Preheat oven to 400 °F. In a bowl, combine gochujang, sesame oil, and soy sauce; add rice and mix until evenly coated.
     
     

   • Spread rice on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake 10–15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until crispy and golden.
     
     

2. Make the dressing
   
   

   • Whisk honey, soy sauce, tahini, lime juice, and water until smooth (it may start lumpy). Set aside.
     
     

3. Assemble the salad
   
   

   • In a large bowl, combine crispy rice, peas, cucumber, green onions, avocado, mint, and cilantro.
     
     

   • Drizzle dressing over and toss gently until everything is coated.
     
     

4. Serve
   
   

   • Enjoy immediately for the best crunch. If storing, refrigerate and serve within a day to retain texture.
     
     

Nutrients (per serving, serves 4)

• Calories: ~350–400 kcal
  
  

• Carbohydrates: ~45 g
  
  

• Protein: ~6–8 g
  
  

• Fat: ~15 g
  
  

• Fiber: ~6 g
  
  

• Sugar: ~6 g