Greek Orzo Salad is a refreshing dish that brings the vibrant flavors of the Mediterranean right to your table. With its blend of pasta, fresh vegetables, and zesty dressing, this salad is perfect for a light lunch or as a side dish at your next gathering.
Why Make This Recipe
This recipe is a fantastic choice for many reasons. First, it’s quick and easy to prepare, making it ideal for weeknight dinners or meal prep. Second, Greek Orzo Salad is packed with colorful vegetables and wholesome ingredients, giving you a boost of nutrition. Lastly, it’s versatile—enjoy it on its own, serve it alongside grilled meats, or take it to a potluck gathering.
How to Make Greek Orzo Salad
Ingredients:
- 1 cup orzo pasta
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 cup cucumber, diced
- 1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped
- 1/3 cup Kalamata olives, halved
- 1/2 cup chickpeas, rinsed and drained
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley for garnish
Directions:
- Cook the orzo pasta according to package instructions. Drain and rinse under cold water.
- In a large bowl, combine the cooked orzo, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, Kalamata olives, and chickpeas.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, red wine vinegar, salt, and pepper.
- Pour the dressing over the salad and toss to combine.
- Garnish with fresh parsley before serving.
How to Serve Greek Orzo Salad
Greek Orzo Salad can be served chilled or at room temperature. It’s delightful on its own or as a side dish with grilled chicken, fish, or lamb. Feel free to add more toppings like feta cheese or arugula to elevate the flavors even further.
How to Store Greek Orzo Salad
To store Greek Orzo Salad, place it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will keep well for about 3-5 days. Before serving leftovers, you may want to add a little extra olive oil and vinegar to refresh the flavors.
Tips to Make Greek Orzo Salad
- Make sure to rinse the orzo in cold water after cooking. This helps cool it down and prevents it from becoming sticky.
- Feel free to customize the vegetables based on what you have on hand. Bell peppers or radishes can add a nice crunch!
- For added protein, consider including grilled chicken or feta cheese.
Variation
You can easily modify this salad by adding ingredients like artichoke hearts, roasted red peppers, or avocado. Each of these options will give the salad a unique twist and enhance its taste.
FAQs
1. Can I make Greek Orzo Salad ahead of time?
Yes, you can make this salad a day in advance. Just keep it in the fridge and add the dressing right before serving.
2. Is this salad gluten-free?
No, traditionally orzo is made from wheat. However, you can find gluten-free orzo substitutes made from rice or quinoa.
3. What can I use instead of Kalamata olives?
If you don’t have Kalamata olives, you can use black olives, green olives, or leave them out if you prefer.
Greek Orzo Salad
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A refreshing Mediterranean salad made with orzo pasta, fresh vegetables, and a zesty dressing, perfect for a light lunch or as a side dish.
Ingredients
- 1 cup orzo pasta
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 cup cucumber, diced
- 1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped
- 1/3 cup Kalamata olives, halved
- 1/2 cup chickpeas, rinsed and drained
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Cook the orzo pasta according to package instructions. Drain and rinse under cold water.
- In a large bowl, combine the cooked orzo, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, Kalamata olives, and chickpeas.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, red wine vinegar, salt, and pepper.
- Pour the dressing over the salad and toss to combine.
- Garnish with fresh parsley before serving.
Notes
Serve chilled or at room temperature. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-5 days, refreshing with extra olive oil and vinegar if needed.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 300mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 8g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: Greek salad, orzo, Mediterranean, healthy salad