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Mediterranean Orzo Salad

A light and satisfying salad packed with vibrant flavors, perfect for busy days or potlucks. This Mediterranean Orzo Salad is healthy, delicious, and easy to make.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Course, Salad, Side Dish
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Calories: 320

Ingredients
  

Pasta and Broth
  • 1 cup orzo pasta
  • 2 cups vegetable broth (or water)
Vegetables
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 cup cucumber, diced
  • 1 each bell pepper, diced red or yellow
  • ½ each red onion, finely chopped
  • ½ cup Kalamata olives, pitted and sliced
  • ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped
Cheese and Dressing
  • 1 cup feta cheese, crumbled
  • ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Method
 

Cooking Orzo
  1. Start by bringing the vegetable broth (or water) to a boil in a medium pot.
  2. Add the orzo pasta and cook according to the package instructions—usually about 8-10 minutes—until al dente. Once cooked, drain, and let it cool. You can also run it under cold water to speed up the cooling process.
Chopping Vegetables
  1. While your orzo is cooling, dice up the cherry tomatoes, cucumber, and bell pepper.
  2. Finely chop the red onion.
Mixing Salad
  1. In a large bowl, combine your cooled orzo with the chopped veggies, Kalamata olives, crumbled feta, and parsley.
Making Dressing
  1. In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper.
  2. Drizzle it over your salad and give everything a gentle toss.
Final Touches
  1. Taste your salad and adjust flavors by adding more lemon juice, salt, or pepper as needed.
  2. For the best flavor, refrigerate the salad for about 30 minutes before serving.

Notes

Make it your own by adding grilled chicken or swapping feta for goat cheese. This salad keeps well in the fridge for up to three days, perfect for meal prep.