Looking for a refreshing salad that’s bursting with Mediterranean flavors? This Mediterranean Orzo Salad With Lemon Vinaigrette is a perfect blend of fresh veggies, tangy olives, and crumbly feta cheese tossed with orzo pasta. It’s a light and satisfying dish that’s great as a side or a main meal. Ready in minutes and full of vibrant colors, it’s sure to become a family favorite.
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3 Reasons To Try Mediterranean Orzo Salad
- Fresh and Flavorful: This Mediterranean orzo salad is bursting with fresh ingredients like cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, and parsley, making it a refreshing dish.
- Tangy and Savory: The combination of feta cheese, kalamata olives, and a zesty lemon and red wine vinegar dressing creates a deliciously tangy and savory flavor profile.
- Perfect for Any Occasion: Whether it’s a quick lunch, a side dish for dinner, or a potluck contribution, this salad is versatile and always a crowd-pleaser.
Mediterranean Orzo Pasta Salad Ingredients
- Orzo pasta: A small rice-shaped pasta that serves as the base of the orzo pasta salad, providing a hearty texture.
- Cherry tomatoes: Vibrant and juicy tomatoes, halved to release their flavor into the Mediterranean orzo salad.
- Persian cucumbers: Crisp and refreshing cucumbers, diced to add a fresh crunch.
- Red onion: Finely chopped to add a subtle sharpness and color contrast to the Mediterranean orzo salad.
- Pitted Kalamata olives: Briny and flavorful olives, pitted and sliced for a burst of Mediterranean taste.
- Feta cheese: Creamy and tangy cheese, crumbled to impart richness to the Mediterranean orzo salad.
- Fresh parsley: Chopped for a burst of herbaceous freshness and visual appeal.
- Extra virgin olive oil: Provides richness and a fruity flavor to the salad dressing.
- Red wine vinegar: Adds a tangy acidity to balance the flavors of the salad.
- Lemon juice: Freshly squeezed for a zesty brightness that enhances the overall taste.
- Garlic clove: Minced to infuse the dressing with a subtle garlic flavor.
- Salt and pepper: Seasonings to taste, enhancing the flavors of all the ingredients in the Mediterranean orzo salad.
How To Make Mediterranean orzo Salad With Lemon Vinaigrette
Step One: Cook the orzo pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Rinse the cooked orzo under cold water and drain well. In a large bowl, combine the cooked orzo with cherry tomatoes, diced Persian cucumbers, red onion, kalamata olives, and crumbled feta cheese. Add the chopped parsley to the bowl.
Step Two: Pour the lemon vinaigrette over the salad and toss gently to combine all the ingredients well. Adjust the seasoning if necessary, adding more salt, pepper, or lemon juice to your taste. Chill the salad in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld together.
Top Tips For Making The Best Orzo Salad
- Prep Vegetables Properly: Ensure that your vegetables are washed, chopped, and diced uniformly for even distribution throughout the salad. Consider blanching certain vegetables like asparagus or green beans for a tender-crisp texture.
- Maintain Crunch: To maintain the crunch of fresh vegetables in the salad, consider adding them closer to serving time rather than letting them sit in the dressing for an extended period.
Orzo Salad Variations
- Shrimp Orzo Salad: Elevate this dish by combining orzo with grilled shrimp, fresh arugula, and cherry tomatoes. Toss with a lemon-herb dressing and sprinkle with crumbled feta for a refreshing touch. Garnish with fresh dill and lemon slices for extra zest.
- Chicken Orzo Salad: Mix orzo with diced, grilled chicken breast, marinated artichokes, and kalamata olives. Dress with a creamy tzatziki sauce and top with sliced cucumbers and a sprinkle of za’atar for a flavorful fusion.
- Chickpea Orzo Salad: Combine orzo with chickpeas, roasted red peppers, and spinach. Toss in a balsamic vinaigrette and finish with crumbled goat cheese and toasted pine nuts for a satisfying crunch.
Best Way To Store Orzo Salad
- Refrigerate: Keep any leftover Mediterranean Orzo Salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
- Container: Use a tightly sealed container to maintain the salad’s freshness.
What To Serve With Mediterranean Orzo Salad?
- Grilled Chicken: Seasoned with Mediterranean herbs and spices like oregano, thyme, and garlic.
- Grilled Shrimp: Lightly seasoned with lemon, garlic, and olive oil.
- Lamb Kebabs: Marinated in a mixture of olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, and herbs like rosemary and mint.
- Baked Salmon: Seasoned with lemon, dill, and a sprinkle of sea salt.
- Marinated Tofu: Tossed in a mixture of olive oil, lemon juice, and Mediterranean spices like paprika and cumin.
FAQ’S
Does Orzo Get Bigger When Cooked?
Yes, orzo does get bigger when cooked. Similar to other types of pasta, it absorbs water and expands in size during the cooking process. Typically, orzo will approximately double in size, so it’s important to keep this in mind when measuring out portions for recipes.
Are There Different Types of Orzo?
Yes, there are different types of orzo available, catering to various dietary preferences and culinary needs. Here are a few common varieties
Whole Wheat Orzo: Made from whole grain wheat, this type offers more fiber and nutrients than the traditional white pasta variety. It has a nuttier flavor and a firmer texture.
Plain White Orzo: The most common type, made from refined wheat, it cooks up soft and has a mild flavor that pairs well with a wide range of ingredients.
Gluten-Free Orzo This is made from alternative grains like corn and rice instead of wheat, making it suitable for those with gluten sensitivities or celiac disease. Some orzo varieties come infused with flavors like spinach, tomato, or saffron, adding a colorful and flavorful twist to dishes.
Mediterranean Orzo Salad With Lemon Vinaigrette
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups Dry Orzo Pasta
- 2 cups Cherry Tomatoes halved
- 3 Persian Cucumbers diced (mini cucumbers)
- ½ Red Onion finely chopped
- ½ cup Kalamata Olives pitted and sliced
- 6 oz Feta Cheese crumbled
- ¼ cup Fresh Parsley chopped
- ¼ cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- 2 tablespoons Red Wine Vinegar
- 1 Lemon juiced
- 1 Garlic Clove minced
- Salt And Pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook the orzo pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Rinse the cooked orzo under cold water and drain well.
- In a large bowl, combine the cooked orzo with cherry tomatoes, diced Persian cucumbers, red onion, kalamata olives, and crumbled feta cheese. Add the chopped parsley to the bowl.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, red wine vinegar, lemon juice, minced garlic, salt, and pepper to create the dressing.
- Pour the dressing over the salad and toss gently to combine all the ingredients well.
- Adjust the seasoning if necessary, adding more salt, pepper, or lemon juice to your taste.
- Chill the salad in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld together.
- Enjoy your refreshing Mediterranean Orzo Salad!
