Description
Mediterranean orzo salad brings summer’s freshest flavors to your plate with zesty herbs and crisp vegetables. Each colorful bite delivers Mediterranean coastal charm, inviting you to savor a perfect blend of textures and bright, refreshing ingredients.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta:
- 1 ½ cups (355 ml) dry orzo pasta
Vegetables and Herbs:
- 1 cup (150 g) cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup (150 g) cucumber, diced
- ¼ cup (40 g) red onion, finely chopped
- ¼ cup (15 g) fresh parsley, chopped
- ¼ cup (15 g) fresh spinach, chopped (optional)
Proteins and Extras:
- ½ cup (75 g) Kalamata olives, pitted and sliced
- ½ cup (75 g) crumbled feta cheese
Lemon Vinaigrette:
- ¼ cup (60 ml) extra-virgin olive oil
- 3 tablespoons (45 ml) fresh lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon (15 ml) red wine vinegar
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Boil a generously salted water pot and cook orzo until tender and slightly firm, approximately 8-10 minutes. Drain thoroughly and rinse with cold water to halt cooking process and reduce temperature.
- While orzo is cooking, meticulously dice fresh tomatoes into uniform cubes, slice cucumber into thin rounds, chop olives into bite-sized pieces, mince red onion finely, and roughly chop parsley and spinach leaves.
- Create a vibrant Mediterranean dressing by whisking extra virgin olive oil, freshly squeezed lemon juice, tangy red wine vinegar, zesty Dijon mustard, crushed garlic, fragrant oregano, kosher salt, and cracked black pepper in a compact mixing vessel until ingredients emulsify smoothly.
- Transfer cooled orzo into a spacious mixing bowl, introducing chopped vegetables, crumbled feta cheese, and fresh parsley. Drizzle prepared dressing over the mixture and gently fold ingredients together, ensuring even distribution of flavors and textures.
- Allow salad to rest for 10-15 minutes before serving, enabling ingredients to marinate and develop enhanced Mediterranean-inspired flavor profile. Serve chilled or at room temperature as a refreshing side dish or light meal.
Notes
- Customize the pasta by using gluten-free orzo for those with wheat sensitivities, ensuring everyone can enjoy this vibrant Mediterranean dish.
- Enhance the salad’s protein content by adding grilled chicken, chickpeas, or tofu for a more substantial meal that keeps you satisfied and energized.
- Prep ingredients in advance and store separately to maintain crisp vegetable textures, preventing sogginess and preserving the salad’s fresh flavor profile.
- Experiment with herb variations like fresh mint or dill to add unexpected depth and create a personalized twist on this classic Mediterranean-inspired recipe.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 400 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 8 g
- Cholesterol: 15 mg