Description
This vibrant Greek Orzo Salad is a refreshing and flavorful dish featuring tender orzo pasta combined with juicy cherry tomatoes, crisp cucumber, tangy red onion, briny Kalamata olives, and creamy feta cheese. Tossed in a zesty lemon-oregano dressing and garnished with fresh parsley, this salad is perfect as a light lunch or a side dish for any Mediterranean-inspired meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 1 cup orzo pasta
Vegetables
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup cucumber, diced
- ½ cup red onion, finely chopped
- ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped
Cheese and Olives
- ¾ cup feta cheese, crumbled
- ½ cup Kalamata olives, pitted and halved
Dressing
- ⅓ cup extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook the Orzo: Bring a pot of salted water to a boil and cook the orzo pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Once cooked, drain and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process and cool the pasta.
- Prepare Vegetables: While the orzo is cooking, chop the cherry tomatoes, cucumber, and finely chop the red onion into bite-sized pieces to ensure even distribution in the salad.
- Combine Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, add the cooked and cooled orzo, chopped vegetables, crumbled feta cheese, Kalamata olives, and fresh parsley, gently combining all components.
- Make the Dressing: In a separate small bowl, whisk together the extra virgin olive oil, freshly squeezed lemon juice, dried oregano, salt, and pepper until well emulsified for a zesty dressing.
- Dress the Salad: Pour the dressing over the salad mixture and toss gently to coat all ingredients evenly, ensuring that the flavors meld beautifully.
- Chill Before Serving: Refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to blend and enhance the overall taste profile before serving.
Notes
- For best flavor, let the salad chill longer, up to 2 hours before serving.
- You can add grilled chicken or shrimp to make it a complete meal.
- Use gluten-free orzo if you need a gluten-free option.
- Adjust salt according to the saltiness of the feta cheese and olives.
- Serve chilled or at room temperature for best taste.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: Greek
