Insalata di Riso Estiva (Italian Summer Rice Salad with Tuna)
Why this recipe works
- Fresh, bright flavour: Lemon, basil, tomato and cucumber keep the tuna and rice light rather than dense.
- Clean balance: The citrus dressing cuts through the richness of the tuna and olive oil without masking the vegetables.
- Good for planning ahead: The salad holds well in the fridge for short storage, making it useful for lunches, picnics and warm-weather meals.
Get the most out of this recipe
Ingredient notes
- Choose rice that holds its shape: Medium-grain rice works well because it stays tender without becoming too loose or fluffy once dressed.
- Use good tuna: Canned tuna is central to the salad, so choose one with a clean flavour and drain it well before mixing.
- Dice evenly: Cut the tomato and cucumber into similar bite-sized pieces so they distribute evenly through the rice.
Timing notes
- Brief chilling is enough: A short chill helps the salad feel fresh, but it does not need a long refrigeration time before serving.
- Best slightly relaxed from the fridge: If refrigerated, let it sit briefly at room temperature and toss again so the olive oil loosens and the flavours come through.
Common mistakes
- Leaving the rice too wet: Drain the cooked rice thoroughly before dressing; excess water makes the salad dull and watery.
- Storing too casually: Keep the salad covered and chilled, especially because it contains tuna, and eat it within the recommended storage time.
Serving ideas
- Serve with simple sides: Pair with grilled vegetables, a green salad or crusty bread for a fuller summer meal.
- Finish with herbs: Add the reserved basil just before serving so it stays fragrant and fresh-looking.
Equipment you'll need
Ingredients
Instructions
- Bring a saucepan of well-salted water to the boil. Add the rice and cook for 10 to 12 minutes, or until tender but still holding its shape. Drain in a colander and rinse briefly under cold water to cool it quickly, then leave to drain well.
- While the rice cools, drain the tuna. Dice the tomato and cucumber into bite-sized pieces, and tear the basil leaves. Finely zest the lemon, then squeeze the juice.
- In a mixing bowl, whisk together the lemon juice, lemon zest, olive oil, black pepper and a pinch of fine sea salt. Add the cooled rice, tuna, tomato and cucumber, then toss well to coat. Fold through most of the basil, reserving a little to finish.
- Taste and adjust with a little more fine sea salt, lemon juice or olive oil if needed. Chill for 5 minutes for the freshest texture, or serve straight away at room temperature. Scatter over the reserved basil to serve.
Recipe notes
Tips
- Drain the rice thoroughly before dressing so the salad stays glossy rather than watery.
- For the best flavour, dress the rice while it is cool but not fridge-cold so it absorbs the lemon and olive oil.
- If serving to pregnant people, young children, older adults, or anyone immunocompromised, use tuna from an intact can and keep the salad properly chilled.
Substitutions
- Replace medium-grain rice with basmati rice for a lighter, more separate grain texture.
- Replace fresh basil with fresh parsley for a greener, more peppery finish.
- Replace lemon with lime for a sharper, more aromatic citrus dressing.
Storage
- Refrigerate up to 2 days
- Store in a sealed container in the fridge and eat within 2 days. For best texture, let it sit at room temperature for 10 minutes, then toss well before serving.
Ratings & reviews
Liked this recipe? Share your feedback to support our cooking community.
Tried this recipe?
Choose 1–5 stars. A comment is optional.
Stay inspired
Discover new recipes, seasonal favourites and cooking inspiration every day. Follow JustRecipes on Pinterest and Spillt.
Recipe overview
- Servings: 2 servings
- Total time: 40min (20min active)
- Difficulty: Easy
- Cuisine: Italian
-
Allergens:
Fish
Plan your meals and get a complete grocery list automatically.
Add to meal plannerEquipment you'll need
Got ingredients left?
Find recipes using ingredients from this recipe or what you already have at home.
Find recipes with these ingredients →
Vegetarian Paella with Artichokes and Broad Beans
Vegetarian paella with saffron rice, artichokes and broad beans
Brazilian Rice and Beans
Rice with creamy black beans, lime and coriander
Latin-Style Chicken Rice Bowl with Black Beans and Avocado
Chicken rice bowl with black beans, avocado and lime
Truffle Mushroom Risotto
Creamy risotto with mushrooms, Parmesan and truffle oil
New Orleans Red Beans and Rice with Sausage
Red beans simmered with andouille, served over long-grain rice
Korean Chicken Rice Bowl
Chicken and rice bowl with gochujang soy glaze.
Roasted Beetroot and Goat’s Cheese Salad
Roasted beetroot salad with goat's cheese and rocket
Gorditas de Chicharrón (Stuffed Thick Corn Cakes)
Griddled gorditas filled with chicharrón in tomato chilli sauce
Ensalada de Naranja y Bacalao (Orange and Salt Cod Salad)
Orange and salt cod salad with red onion and olives
Salmon Sesame Poke Bowl
Salmon sesame poke bowl with sushi rice and soy dressing.
Modern Pierogi Bowl (Potato, Quark and Bacon)
Pierogi-inspired potato and quark bowl topped with crisp bacon
Prawn Marie Rose Sandwich
Prawn sandwich with Marie Rose sauce and crisp lettuce
Insalata di Riso con Tonno e Olive (Italian Rice Salad with Tuna and Olives)
Chilled rice salad with tuna, olives, lemon and parsley
Pan Bagnat (Niçoise Tuna and Egg Sandwich)
Niçoise sandwich with tuna, hard-boiled egg, tomatoes and olives
Algarve Grain Bowl with Lemon and Herbs
Bulgur bowl with chickpeas, tomato, cucumber and herbs
Greek Kale and Feta Salad
Shredded kale salad with feta and lemon-oregano dressing
Turkish Bulgur Bowl with Tomato, Cucumber and Parsley
Bulgur bowl with tomato, cucumber, spring onion and lemon
Turkish Spiced Salmon Bowl with Bulgur and Lemon
Spiced salmon over bulgur with cucumber, tomato and lemon
You might also like
Polenta e Spezzatino (Polenta with Beef Stew)
Creamy polenta topped with slow-simmered beef spezzatino
Tramezzino with Prosciutto and Mozzarella
Soft Italian sandwich with prosciutto, mozzarella and mayonnaise
Lamb Rogan Josh with Basmati Rice
Kashmiri lamb curry with yoghurt, spices and basmati rice
Basundi (Thickened Sweetened Milk with Cardamom and Saffron)
Thickened sweetened milk dessert with cardamom, saffron and pistachios
Gelato al Cioccolato Fondente (Dark Chocolate Gelato)
Dense dark chocolate gelato made with milk and double cream
Waldorf Salad with Grilled Chicken
Waldorf salad with grilled chicken, apple, grapes and walnuts
Make this recipe easier next time
AdvertisementThese tools help you get better results with less effort.
Misen 8-Inch Chef Knife
- AUS-10 steel
- Balanced design
- Less traditional feel
Titanium & PP Double-Sided Cutting Board
- Separate surfaces for meat and produce
- Resists odors and stains
- Harder on knife edges than wood or plastic
OXO Good Grips Stainless Mixing Bowl Set
- Non-slip base
- Comfort grip
- Higher price
OXO Good Grips 2-Piece Cutting Board Set
- Two useful sizes with reversible cutting surfaces
- Dishwasher safe and easy to clean
- Plastic surfaces will show knife marks over time
Enjoy cooking with JustRecipes?
Add JustRecipes as one of your preferred Google sources to discover our recipes more easily across Google Search.
Add JustRecipes to GoogleEvery recipe on JustRecipes follows the same structured editorial process. Learn how recipes are created, validated, translated, illustrated, and continuously improved across the platform. How we create recipes.
