Mediterranean Orzo Salad Recipe
Mediterranean orzo salad is one of those dishes I keep coming back to. It’s fresh, colorful, and packed with bold flavors. It’s the kind of meal that works just as well for a light lunch as it does as a side dish for dinner.The first time I made this salad, I wanted something that was filling but didn’t feel heavy. I had orzo in my pantry, a few fresh veggies in the fridge, and some feta cheese that needed to be used. After tossing everything together with a lemony dressing, I knew I had a winner. The flavors reminded me of my favorite Mediterranean dishes—bright, herby, and satisfying without being too rich.Now, I make this salad all the time, whether I’m meal prepping for the week or bringing something to a potluck. It’s easy, delicious, and always a hit.
Equipment
- Medium pot (for cooking orzo)
- Colander for draining pasta
- Mixing bowl (for tossing the salad)
- Cutting board and knife (for chopping veggies)
- Whisk (for mixing the dressing)
Ingredients
- 1 cup orzo pasta
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 small cucumber, diced
- ¼ cup red onion, finely chopped
- ½ cup Kalamata olives, sliced
- ½ cup crumbled feta cheese
- ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped
- ¼ cup fresh basil, chopped
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp dried oregano
Instructions
- Bring a medium pot of salted water to a boil.
- Add the orzo and cook according to the package instructions (8-10 minutes).
- Drain and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, garlic, salt, black pepper, and dried oregano.
- Halve the cherry tomatoes, dice the cucumber, and finely chop the red onion.
- Slice the Kalamata olives and crumble the feta cheese.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked orzo, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, and olives.
- Pour the dressing over the salad and toss to combine.
- Add the crumbled feta and fresh herbs, then toss again.
- Serve immediately, or let it chill in the fridge for an hour to let the flavors meld.
- Enjoy as a side dish or add protein to make it a full meal.