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A colorful summer orzo salad with fresh vegetables and herbs in a bowl.

Proven way to grow 3-Star Orzo Salad (Summer)

A refreshing and flavorful orzo salad featuring a vibrant mix of vegetables and a tangy dressing, perfect for summer picnics and potlucks.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 6 people
Calories: 350
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Orzo Salad
  • 1 cup Orzo pasta
  • 1.5 cups Cherry tomatoes halved
  • 1 medium Cucumber diced
  • 0.5 medium Red onion finely chopped
  • 0.5 cup Feta cheese crumbled
  • 0.25 cup Fresh parsley chopped
  • 0.25 cup Kalamata olives halved
Lemon Vinaigrette
  • 0.25 cup Olive oil
  • 3 tablespoons Fresh lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 clove Garlic minced
  • 0.5 teaspoon Dried oregano
  • 0.5 teaspoon Salt
  • 0.25 teaspoon Black pepper
  • 0.5 teaspoon Sugar optional, to balance acidity

Equipment

  • Large pot
  • Colander
  • Large mixing bowl
  • Small mixing bowl
  • Whisk

Method
 

Orzo Salad Prep
  1. Cook orzo according to package directions until al dente, then drain and rinse with cold water to stop cooking and cool down the pasta.
  2. Transfer the cooled orzo to a large mixing bowl, then gently toss with 1 tablespoon of olive oil to prevent sticking and add a subtle flavor.
  3. Add the halved cherry tomatoes, diced cucumber, finely chopped red onion, crumbled feta cheese, chopped fresh parsley, and halved Kalamata olives to the bowl with the orzo.
Lemon Vinaigrette
  1. In a separate small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, fresh lemon juice, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, dried oregano, salt, black pepper, and optional sugar until thoroughly combined.
  2. Pour the prepared lemon vinaigrette over the orzo and vegetable mixture in the large mixing bowl, ensuring even distribution.
Combine and Chill
  1. Gently toss all the ingredients together until the orzo, vegetables, and feta are well coated with the dressing.
  2. Cover the bowl and refrigerate the orzo salad for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and chill thoroughly before serving.

Notes

For extra flavor, you can roast the cherry tomatoes before adding them to the salad. This salad can be prepared a day in advance and stored in the refrigerator. Adjust the amount of lemon juice and sugar to your taste preference.