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    Home » Salads

    Mediterranean Orzo Salad

    Published on March 23, 2023 - Updated on May 6, 2023 by Chef Rodney - Leave a Comment - This post may contain affiliate links.

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    mediterranean orzo salad
    This Mediterranean inspired Orzo Salad is jam packed full of flavor. The best part is it only takes 15 minutes to make!
     
    Mediterranean Orzo Salad

    I love making Orzo salads. If you are not familiar with Orzo, it's basically pasta shaped like large grains of rice. Many people often confuse Orzo with Rice. Orzo is pasta, not a grain like Rice.

    box of barilla pasta

    💭 What is Al Dente

    When making pasta like this orzo, it's important to cook the pasta al dente to ensure to best texture possible. If you are not familiar with the term "al dente", it means cooking the pasta so it's still chewy and firm and that it will hold its shape when the sauce is added to it.

    bowl of delicious salad

    💭 Ingredient Substitution

    You can use an equal amount of Cherry Tomatoes instead of Grape Tomatoes. Besides the difference in shape, cherry tomatoes will be a bit sweeter than grape tomatoes.

    feta cheese on salad

    If you don't have any Kalamata Olives on hand you can substitute for Black Olives or Green Olives but the overall flavor of this awesome orzo salad will be different.

    salad in serving dish

    I love feta cheese but realize that quite a few people don't like the taste of it. Goat Cheese, Cottage Cheese, Ricotta Cheese or even Parmesan Cheese might be a good substitute.

    orzo salad in a bowl

    Personally, I like to eat this salad at room temperature but you can serve it warm or cold. Just remember that the orzo will soak up some of the dressing so be mindful when adding it to the salad.

    delicious meal

    For more great recipes made with Orzo, I suggest you check these recipes out:

    • lemon herbed orzo
      Lemon Herbed Orzo
    • Chicken and Bean Orzo Salad
      Chicken and Bean Orzo Salad
    • Greek Chicken Orzo Salad
      Greek Chicken Orzo Salad with Kalamata Olives

    📋 Gather your Ingredients

    You will need the following ingredients to make this Mediterranean Orzo Salad recipe (see recipe card for quantities): Orzo, Grape Tomatoes, Feta Cheese, Greek Kalamata Olives, Fresh Parsley, Capers, Fresh Lemon Juice, Honey, Garlic Clove, Extra Virgin Olive Oil and Salt and Pepper.

    🥣 How to make Mediterranean Orzo Salad

    In a saucepan, cook the orzo until al dente according to the directions on the package. Drain and set aside.
    Meanwhile, in a small bowl, combine the lemon juice, honey, garlic, salt and pepper. Slowly whisk in the oil. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary.
    In a large serving bowl, combine the tomatoes, feta cheese, kalamata olives, parsley and capers. Add the orzo and toss till combined.
    Pour just enough of the dressing to coat, then toss to combine. Add more dressing if necessary. The pasta will absorb some of the dressing.
    Serve warm or cold with the remaining dressing if needed.

    orzo salad

    Mediterranean Orzo Salad

    This Mediterranean inspired Orzo Salad is jam packed full of flavor. The best part is it only takes 15 minutes to make!
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Rate Recipe
    Prep Time 5 minutes mins
    Cook Time 10 minutes mins
    Total Time 15 minutes mins
    Course Salads
    Cuisine Mediterranean
    Servings 4
    Calories 544 kcal

    Equipment

    • Bowl for Mixing
    • Saucepan

    Ingredients
     

    • 8 oz Orzo
    • 1 ½ Cups Grape Tomatoes, chopped
    • ½ Cup Feta Cheese
    • ¼ Cup Greek Kalamata Olives, chopped
    • ¼ Cup Fresh Parsley, chopped
    • 2 tablespoon Capers, drained

    FOR THE LEMON DRESSING

    • ¼ Cup Fresh Lemon Juice
    • 1 tablespoon Honey
    • 1 Garlic Clove, minced
    • Salt and Pepper, to taste
    • ½ Cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil

    Instructions
     

    • In a saucepan, cook the orzo until al dente according to the directions on the package. Drain and set aside.
    • Meanwhile, in a small bowl, combine the lemon juice, honey, garlic, salt and pepper. Slowly whisk in the oil. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary.
    • In a large serving bowl, combine the tomatoes, feta cheese, kalamata olives, parsley and capers. Add the orzo and toss till combined.
    • Pour just enough of the dressing to coat, then toss to combine. Add more dressing if necessary. The pasta will absorb some of the dressing.
    • Serve warm or cold with the remaining dressing if needed.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 544kcalCarbohydrates: 52gProtein: 11gFat: 33gSaturated Fat: 7gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 22gCholesterol: 17mgSodium: 469mgPotassium: 308mgFiber: 3gSugar: 8gVitamin A: 708IUVitamin C: 24mgCalcium: 125mgIron: 2mg

    Nutritional information provided for this recipe is based on 1 serving. This information is an estimate and may vary based on several factors. If nutritional information is important to you and your diet, please verify this recipe with a Registered Dietitian.

    Tried this Recipe?Leave a Comment below and share a picture on Instagram and tag @hot_rods_recipes and hashtag #hotrodsrecipes!

    More Delicious Salads & Dressings

    • strawberry chicken salad
      Strawberry Chicken Salad
    • turkey cobb salad
      Turkey Cobb Salad
    • poblano ranch sauce
      Simple Poblano Ranch Sauce
    • garbanzo and black bean salad
      Garbanzo and Black Bean Salad
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