Crispy Homemade Rice Cheeseburger Salad
A vibrant and satisfying dish that combines the comforting elements of a classic cheeseburger with the refreshing crunch of a salad.
Equipment
- Skillet
- Mixing Bowl
Ingredients
Ingredients
- 2 cups Cooked Rice Preferably short-grain for optimal crispiness.
- 1 pound Ground Meat Lean ground beef or turkey.
- 1 cup Shredded Cheese Cheddar or mozzarella.
- 1 cup Diced Tomatoes
- 1 cup Chopped Lettuce
- 1 cup Sliced Cucumbers
- ½ cup Chopped Pickles For an acidic bite.
- ¼ cup Mayonnaise For the dressing.
- 2 tablespoons Mustard For the dressing.
- to taste Salt
- to taste Pepper
- to taste Garlic Powder
- 2 tablespoons Olive Oil For cooking the ground meat and toasting the rice.
Instructions
- Cook the rice according to package instructions and set aside to cool slightly.
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add ground meat, breaking it apart, and cook until browned, about 7-10 minutes. Season with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
- Prepare vegetables: dice tomatoes, chop lettuce, and slice cucumbers. Set aside in a large mixing bowl.
- Once the meat is cooked, stir in shredded cheese and let it melt slightly.
- In a separate bowl, mix mayonnaise and mustard until smooth for the dressing.
- Fluff the cooled rice in a large serving bowl.
- Combine the cooked meat mixture with the rice, mixing well.
- Add the diced tomatoes, chopped lettuce, sliced cucumbers, and chopped pickles to the mixture and toss gently.
- Drizzle the dressing over the salad and toss to coat. Adjust seasoning if needed.
- For extra crispiness, pan-fry additional rice in olive oil until golden brown and sprinkle on top before serving.
- Serve immediately, garnishing with extra cheese or fresh herbs if desired.
Notes
This salad is best enjoyed fresh but can be stored for leftovers in an airtight container for up to three days.