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    Home » Recipes » Dairy Free Recipes

    Winter Broccoli & Wild Rice Salad with Chickpeas

    Author: Amy Fulwood | Published: Dec 4, 2018 | Modified: Jul 19, 2023

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    This healthy broccoli and wild rice salad is a hearty winter meal full of goodness. It makes an ideal vegetarian lunch idea and is perfect for meal prep.

    Ahhh salads. Does any other food have the potential to be so bad and so good depending on what you put in it?

    Some salads just make me want to go to sleep they're so boring but not this winter broccoli and wild rice salad...ohhhh no.

    Side on shot of broccoli and wild rice salad on a pink plate on a marble background
    Overhead shot of broccoli and wild rice salad on a pink plate with a fork and striped cloth

    I'm so excited to be sharing this salad with you! I think it's fair to say that Will and I are not usually the salad in winter type of people. I mean I'm normally allll about the vegetable stew with polenta and the creamy mushroom pasta as soon as the weather gets colder.

    But somehow this broccoli and wild rice salad is totally filling enough for a winter dinner. The broccoli and kale is tasty and full of goodness while the wild rice and chickpeas make this salad extra filling which I just love. 

    The whole thing is topped with a yummy dressing made with garlic, ginger, lemon juice and honey. Oh and some pine nuts for a little added crunch!

    Side on shot of broccoli and wild rice salad with dressing being poured
    Overhead shot of broccoli and wild rice salad in a glass bowl with a striped cloth

    Winter Broccoli & Wild Rice Salad Ingredients:

    • Broccoli: Cut into florets and cooked. I like to steam or boil it but you could microwave it if you prefer
    • Kale: Chopped and stems removed
    • Wild Rice: To make it really easy I used a pouch of ready cooked wild rice but if you prefer then cook your own
    • Dressing: This dressing is super yummy, it's made with olive oil, garlic, ginger, sesame oil, lemon juice and honey whisked together just before serving
    • Herbs: I tossed some fresh mint and parsley in there just before serving and it gave such a fresh flavour
    Overhead shot of broccoli and wild rice salad with a pink plate on a marble background
    Close up of broccoli and wild rice salad on a pink plate

    Winter Broccoli & Wild Rice Salad Instructions:

    1. Mix the salad ingredients: Toss together the broccoli, kale, chickpeas, wild rice, mint and parsley.
    2. Make the dressing: Whisk together the olive oil, garlic, ginger, sesame oil, lemon juice and honey. 
    3. Finish the salad: Pour the dressing over the salad and serve topped with a sprinkling of sesame seeds.
    Overhead shot of broccoli and wild rice salad in a glass bowl with a pink plate on a marble background
    Broccoli and wild rice salad in a glass bowl with salad servers

    Winter Broccoli & Wild Rice Salad Variations:

    There are so many different things you can do with this salad!

    • Use different veg: I love the broccoli and kale in this salad because they add that hearty crunch and plenty of nourishment but you could definitely try adding other vegetables. Red pepper would add a splash of colour or raw spinach would be yummy too
    • Consider the season: Not only do I love broccoli and kale in this salad but they're also perfect for a winter salad because that's when they're in season. If you fancy this wild rice salad in the warmer months then try switching for seasonal ingredients
    • Add different herbs: If you're not a fan of mint or parsley then switch them for something else. Coriander (cilantro) would be delicious or even basil or dill
    • Add some protein: If you want to bulk this salad out a little bit more then try throwing in some cooked chicken or tofu
    Overhead shot of winter broccoli & wild rice salad on a marble background with pink plates and dresisng
    Close up of winter broccoli & wild rice salad on a pink plate with a fork and striped cloth

    How long does rice salad last?

    This cold rice salad will keep well in the fridge for up to 4 days so it's perfect for meal prep. Just make sure to refrigerate it straight after making it.

    Is rice salad healthy?

    This rice salad is super light and healthy with plenty of goodness from the vegetables. Broccoli and kale are both amazing sources of vitamins and minerals to help keep any nasty bugs at bay over the winter season.

    Is rice salad gluten free?

    Yes! This wild rice salad is naturally gluten free.

    Can rice salad be made a day ahead?

    This salad is perfect for making ahead, it could even be prepped in advance to be served as part of your Christmas celebrations or just made for weekday lunches. 

    Make sure you pin this recipe for later!

    Overhead shot of broccoli and wild rice salad in a glass bowl with salad servers
    Overhead shot of broccoli and wild rice salad on a pink plate with a striped cloth

    Want more? Try these other salad recipes!

    • Apple Walnut Salad with Kale
    • Halloumi Salad with Kale & Tahini
    • Warm Lentil Salad with Butternut Squash
    • Sweet Potato & Quinoa Salad with Sesame Dressing
    • Coconut Curry Kale Salad
    • Baked Halloumi with Winter Panzanella

    Or grab these chickpea recipes!

    WONDERING WHAT TO DO WITH THE LEFTOVER INGREDIENTS YOU’VE GOT FROM MAKING THIS WINTER BROCCOLI & WILD RICE SALAD?

    If you’re anything like me then you’re always looking for ways to save money and avoid food waste so I want to make sure you’ve get plenty of ideas on how to use up any ingredients that are leftover from my recipes!

    Kale Pasta with Chilli & Garlic

    Leftover kale is perfect in this kale pasta recipe

    Plate of kale pasta on a striped cloth with a fork

    Beetroot Salad with Goat's Cheese & Pine Nuts

    Sprinkle leftover pine nuts over this delicious beetroot salad

    Side on shot of beetroot salad on a white wooden background

    Recipe

    Side on shot of broccoli and wild rice salad on a pink plate on a marble background

    Winter Broccoli & Wild Rice Salad with Chickpeas

    This healthy broccoli and wild rice salad is a hearty winter meal full of goodness. It makes an ideal vegetarian lunch idea and is perfect for meal prep.
    5 from 3 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Main Course, Salad
    Cuisine: Mediterranean
    Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 10 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 15 minutes minutes
    Servings: 4 servings
    Calories: 587kcal
    Author: Amy Fulwood

    Ingredients

    • 1 head of Broccoli cut into florets
    • 100 g Kale chopped
    • 3 tablespoon Olive Oil
    • 1 cloves Garlic crushed
    • ½ teaspoon Ginger minced
    • 1 tablespoon Sesame Oil
    • 1 Lemon juiced
    • 1 tablespoon Honey
    • 1 400g tin Chickpeas drained and rinsed
    • 200 g Wild Rice cooked
    • 50 g Pine Nuts toasted
    • Small bunch Fresh Mint chopped
    • Small bunch Fresh Parsley chopped
    • Sesame Seeds to serve
    UK Measures - US Measures

    Instructions

    • Bring a pot of water to the boil and cook the broccoli for 5 minutes adding the kale for the last minute of cooking. Drain and leave to cool. Add the broccoli, kale, chickpeas, wild rice, mint, parsley and pine nuts to a large bowl. 
    • Whisk together the olive oil, garlic, ginger, sesame oil, lemon juice and honey and pour over the salad. Leave to sit for 10 minutes. Serve topped with a sprinkling of sesame seeds.
    Nutrition Facts
    Winter Broccoli & Wild Rice Salad with Chickpeas
    Amount Per Serving
    Calories 587 Calories from Fat 225
    % Daily Value*
    Fat 25g38%
    Saturated Fat 2g10%
    Sodium 21mg1%
    Potassium 739mg21%
    Carbohydrates 75g25%
    Fiber 11g44%
    Sugar 11g12%
    Protein 19g38%
    Vitamin A 2525IU51%
    Vitamin C 46mg56%
    Calcium 104mg10%
    Iron 5.1mg28%
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

    Notes

    Nutrition information is an estimate and will vary depending on the ingredients used.
     
    Did you make this recipe?Tag @amycookreport on Instagram and hashtag it #thecookreport!

    Like the look of this recipe? Make sure you pin it for later!

    Pinterest image for broccoli and wild rice salad with text overlay

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    Comments

    1. Michelle - The Last Food Blog says

      December 06, 2018 at 10:25 am

      5 stars
      This salad sounds fab and is definitely something I would love! Thanks so much for sharing my Apple, Walnut and Kale Salad x

      Reply
      • Amy says

        December 06, 2018 at 10:31 am

        Thanks Michelle, and no problem, it sounds delicious!

        Reply
    5 from 3 votes (2 ratings without comment)

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    Photo of Amy in a red jumper wearing glasses

    Hey, I'm Amy Fulwood!

    Recipe creator and photographer here at TheCookReport.co.uk.

    Over here we’re all about delicious healthy recipes to fit around busy schedules and celebrating the joy that comes from an amazing meal.

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