Mediterranean Orzo Salad Recipe – The Wholesome Maven

This easy and fresh Mediterranean Orzo Salad recipe is perfect for a summertime potluck or a quick weekday lunch. Packed with veggies and flavors, this vegetarian dish is easy to make and lasts all week.

The BEST Orzo Salad Recipe!

This Mediterranean Orzo Salad recipe has quickly become our early summer favorite. I also love grilling chicken breasts and paired with this orzo salad + crumbled feta it’s *chef*.

What I love most about this orzo salad recipe is that it can easily be part of your meal prep ahead of time and eaten throughout the week. So while it certainly feeds a crowd (it’s my new potluck go-to!), it’s also a great recipe to make over the weekend to eat all week.

Orzo pasta salad is often overlooked in favor of some other types of pasta, but I’m here to tell you that when it comes to pasta salad, orzo really is the way to go. Paired with a fresh lemon juice vinaigrette, you’ll make this Mediterranean orzo salad time and time again.

What is orzo?

Orzo is funny because it falls under the grain category, but it also falls under the pasta category. Yes, I know pasta is made from grains, but I think they’re different categories of food. Orzo is a small rice-shaped pasta. It actually means “barley” in Italian because it resembles the grain of barley. Orzo can be thrown into soups and salads and even casseroles.

What makes orzo so great to work with is that it’s so quick to cook. This is usually done within 3-5 minutes! That makes this Mediterranean Orzo Salad a quick meal to make.

Typically, orzo is made with white flour, but I really love this whole grain version from Delallo. If you are gluten free, you can also buy gluten free orzo.

Ingredients in Mediterranean Orzo Salad

• orso – Cook according to package directions or al dente. You can usually find orzo in the pasta aisle.
• cherry tomatoes – You can use any type of tomato, but cherry tomatoes or grape tomatoes add a delicious sweetness.
• Black olives – I like Kalamata olives. Just be sure to buy or buy pitted olives.
• Red onions – You can also add green onions if you prefer
• sun dried tomatoes – either in oil or not working properly. Use what you can find.
• Fresh Parsley – or any other fresh herbs you prefer.
• feta cheese – Be sure to buy crumbled or crumble it yourself.
• Lemon Vinaigrette – the most delicious dressing! A combination of extra virgin olive oil, lemon juice, red wine vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard and salt and pepper.

How to make orzo salad

This Mediterranean Orzo Salad with Feta is super easy to make and ready in under 20 minutes with the right timing.

STEP 1: COOK ORZO

Cook orzo in a large saucepan of boiling water according to package directions or al dente.

STEP 2: MAKE DRESSING

Combine all the ingredients for the dressing by shaking them in a mason jar or whisking them together in a large bowl.

STEP 3: COMBINE SALAD

In a large bowl, combine cherry tomatoes, black olives, red onion, sun-dried tomatoes, and parsley. Add orzo and garnish with desired amount of dressing (leftover dressing can be refrigerated for up to 2 weeks). Once the salad has cooled slightly, toss in crumbled feta. Serve at room temperature or cold from the fridge.

Combine it with chicken!

Personally, I love pairing this Mediterranean Orzo Pasta Salad with grilled chicken. For an easy BBQ chicken recipe, I simply dry rub two chicken breasts with sea salt, garlic powder, paprika, and Italian seasoning. No measuring, just guessing until covered. I rub the spice in with my hands to make sure they’re well coated. Then I throw them on the grill to cook them for 5-6 minutes on each side. Combine it with some crumbled feta on this orzo salad and you have a complete meal!

Storage Instructions

This orzo salad recipe can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. The dressing can be stored separately in a mason jar or airtight container for up to 2 weeks and used on other dishes.

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