Quick and easy to make Greek Orzo Salad is loaded with fresh crunchy veggies and all of your favorite Mediterranean flavors. This healthy pasta salad recipe is perfect for picnics, potlucks, or barbeques or as an easy, flavorful side dish for dinner.
Jump to Section
The best Greek Orzo Salad recipe!
The BEST Mediterranean Greek Orzo Salad made with the fresh and crunchy veggies that are found in an authentic Greek Salad – tomatoes, cucumbers, bell peppers, red onion. Tossed with orzo and all your favorite Greek flavors - Kalamata olives, feta cheese, and a delicious lemon vinaigrette.
What is orzo?
Orzo is a small rice-shaped pasta made of durum wheat semolina flour. Orzo is Italian for "barley" due to its resemblance to the grain. This small pasta is categorized as "pastina," which means "little pasta." In traditional Italian cooking, orzo is used in soups and broths, but it's also great as a side dish and in pasta salads.
Ingredients
- Orzo
- Veggies in an authentic Greek Salad – tomato, cucumber, bell pepper, and red onion. Green bell pepper is traditional, but I like to use red and green for color and flavor. I use the mini cucumbers, but you can also use an English cucumber or a regular cucumber.
- Fresh herbs – use a mix of what you like and have on hand. I’ve used parsley and mint here. You could also use basil and/or dill.
- Kalamata olives
- Feta cheese
- Lemon herb vinaigrette – a simple vinaigrette made with red wine vinegar, lemon, olive oil, dried oregano, and salt. I like to add a clove of garlic as well.
How to make
Cook the orzo: Boil the orzo just like pasta. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the orzo, and cook, stirring occasionally, for 7-8 minutes, or until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water until cooled. Drain again and put into a large mixing bowl.
Chop the veggies and herbs: I like to chop the veggies small to be more similar to the size of the orzo, but chunky is fine too. Soak the chopped onion in cool water for about 10 minutes to remove the strong flavor.
Make the vinaigrette dressing: Combine the dressing ingredients in a jar and shake to combine.
Mix all the ingredients: Toss the orzo, the veggies and herbs, the dressing, and the crumbled feta together.
Chill: Refrigerate for an hour or two to chill the salad and infuse the flavors.
Is Orzo eaten hot or cold?
Orzo can be eaten hot or cold. I prefer to eat this Greek Orzo Salad either chilled or at a cool room temperature.
How long is it good for?
Greek Orzo Salad will keep for about 4 days in a tightly sealed container in the refrigerator.
Recipe
Greek Orzo Salad
Ingredients
- 16 oz orzo 454g
- 10 oz cherry tomatoes chopped (about 1 ½ cups)
- 3 mini cucumbers chopped (about 1 ½ cups)
- ½ red onion chopped, soaked in water for 10 minutes, then drained
- 1 large bell pepper chopped (red, green, or half of each)
- ½ cup chopped fresh parsley and mint *see note
- 1 cup Kalamata olives chopped (about 4.7oz)
- 4 oz feta cheese crumbled
For the lemon vinaigrette:
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- Salt to taste
- 1 - 2 cloves garlic finely minced, optional
Instructions
- Cook and drain the orzo: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the orzo, and cook, stirring occasionally, for 7-8 minutes, or until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water until cooled. Drain again and put into a large mixing bowl.
- Make the vinaigrette dressing: Combine the dressing ingredients in a jar and shake to combine.
- Mix all the ingredients: Toss the orzo, the veggies and herbs, the dressing, and the crumbled feta and olives together.
- Chill: Refrigerate for an hour or two to chill the salad and infuse the flavors or serve right away.
Notes
- I’ve used fresh parsley and mint. Use any combination of your favorite fresh herbs such as basil or dill.
Nutrition
Enjoy, friends!
Don’t forget to PIN for later!
Subscribe to FOODTASIA’S NEWSLETTER to receive fresh recipes straight to your inbox.
Follow me on INSTAGRAM and PINTEREST for all the latest content and recipes!
You might also like:
Karen (Back Road Journal) says
I think orzo is an underused pasta and it is perfect in a beautiful salad such as yours. I've had problems with my comments not going through but hopefully I've got it fixed now nnd this goes through.
Kelly says
Orzo has a lovely chewy texture and is the perfect base for so many different flavors! Thanks so much, Karen!
Laura says
Kelly, you had me at "greek flavored" I love anything with these standout flavors and gorgeous colors! And, I'm always looking for a different way with pasta or grains! thanks for the lovely recipe!
Kelly says
It's one of those dishes that everyone in the family loves! Thanks so much, Laura!
Valentina says
Such a fantastic salad, Kelly! The veggies with a bit of crunch are so great against the soft Orzo. Love the texture of Orzo -- it's such a comfort food. 🙂 ~Valentina
Kelly says
Sooo comforting! Thanks so much, Valentina!
David Scott Allen says
Absolutely beautiful, Kelly! And such a wonderful summer salad. I think orzo is underutilized... it is really so versatile!
Kelly says
I love its chewy texture in salads! Thanks so much, David!
John / Kitchen Riffs says
Mmmm, such a great looking salad. Love the flavors in this, and how easily it comes together. Thanks!
Kelly says
It's quite a hit with the family! Thanks so much, John!
Ron says
Kelly, I must of had a senior moment as I thought I commented on this. Your Greek Orzo Salad looks very tasty and has two components that I love, pasta and a good Greek salad. I'm impressed with your images, especially the one with all the ingredients. After all the trouble it must have been to segregate the ingredients it must of been hard to toss them all together.
Kelly says
Ron, my son-in-law came into the kitchen as I was chopping the vegetables and commented on how neat I was with each of them in their own little bowl. Ahhh, if only I was that organized every day! I'm glad I made a good impression, but as head-dishwasher, that's not going to happen any time soon! Thanks so much!
Hasin says
Kelly,
Love the Mediterranean flavours. Thanks for the lovely salad recipe. Love it that it has loaded goodness of veggies and orzo.Hearty and healthy!
Kelly says
Thanks so much, Hasin!
Raymund says
Thats a nice colourful salad, cant wait for summer here as that plate reminds me of it
Kelly says
I squeezed it in just as our summer here is ending! Thanks so much, Raymund!
mjskitchen says
A wonderful salad for using summer produce and fresh herbs. Love it!
Kelly says
Thanks so much, MJ!
mimi rippee says
This is a fabulous salad! Some of my most favorite ingredients..... I don't often think of orzo. I know there's some in my pantry, but I either typically go directly to pasta, or grains and beans. I need to put my orzo in my kitchen and make this now! The weather is starting to change!
Kelly says
Now that you mention it, Mimi, this would be great with beans as well! Thanks so much!
Ron says
Kelly, orzo is such a fun pasta to use in a salad or pilaf. It's hard to beat a Greek-inspired salad, especially with all those fresh veggies and herbs...
Kelly says
The flavors are amazing! Thanks so much, Ron!
Rahul says
The picture with the bowl of all the ingredient looks so inviting, I wish I had this Greek Orzo Salad waiting for me at my dinner table. It looks so fresh and flavorful Kelly.
Kelly says
It's definitely a family favorite! Thanks so much, Rahul!
Katherine | Love In My Oven says
When it's hot outside I always start craving Greek salad. This looks terrific! I love the chewy orzo. I would make this for guests in a heartbeat! Looks delicious.
Kelly says
It's always a hit! Thanks so much, Katherine!
Basel AbuShaban says
I am sure it taste as good as it looks. Amazing.
Kelly says
Thanks so much!
angiesrecipes says
I always love this cute shaped pasta...they have a great texture too. This is a fantastic salad, Kelly.
Kelly says
It makes a fun side dish with all the veggies cut small like the orzo. Lots of yummy in every bite! Thanks so much, Angie!