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Mediterranean Orzo Salad Recipe

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4.1 from 80 reviews

A vibrant Mediterranean Orzo Salad combining tender orzo pasta with tangy Kalamata olives, juicy grape tomatoes, crisp cucumber, and fresh herbs, all tossed in a zesty lemon-garlic dressing and topped with creamy feta cheese. Perfectly chilled, this refreshing salad is ideal for warm days and gatherings.

Ingredients

Orzo and Vegetables

  • 1 ½ cups dry orzo pasta (cooked, drained, and cooled)
  • 6 oz Kalamata olives (halved)
  • 1 cup grape tomatoes (halved)
  • ½ cucumber (chopped)
  • ¼ cup red onion (diced)
  • 2 Tbsp fresh parsley (chopped)

Dressing & Topping

  • 3 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • Juice of 1 lemon
  • 2 cloves garlic (minced)
  • 1 tsp oregano
  • Salt and pepper (to taste)
  • ½ cup feta cheese

Instructions

  1. Cook Orzo: Bring a pot of salted water to a boil and cook 1 ½ cups orzo pasta for about 8 minutes, or until al dente. Drain the pasta, rinse thoroughly under cold water to cool and stop cooking, then set aside completely cooled.
  2. Prepare Dressing: In a bowl, whisk together 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, juice of one lemon, 2 minced garlic cloves, 1 teaspoon oregano, and salt and pepper to taste until well combined.
  3. Combine Salad Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, add the cooled orzo, halved Kalamata olives, halved grape tomatoes, chopped cucumber, diced red onion, and chopped fresh parsley. Toss everything gently to mix the ingredients evenly.
  4. Dress the Salad: Pour the prepared dressing over the orzo mixture and toss well to ensure all ingredients are coated with the lemon-garlic dressing.
  5. Chill: Cover the bowl and refrigerate the salad for 1 hour to allow flavors to meld together and the dish to chill.
  6. Serve: Just before serving, sprinkle ½ cup of crumbled feta cheese evenly over the salad. Give a light toss if desired and serve chilled.

Notes

  • For best flavor, prepare the salad a little ahead of time to allow the dressing to soak into the ingredients.
  • You can substitute fresh oregano with dried oregano if necessary.
  • Adjust the amount of salt and pepper in the dressing to your taste preference.
  • Serve this salad as a side dish or a light main course on warm days.
  • Make sure the orzo is completely cooled before mixing with other ingredients to prevent wilting the vegetables.

Find it online: https://recipethrive.com/mediterranean-orzo-salad-recipe/