Description
This Summer Orzo Salad is your ultimate warm-weather go-to—refreshing, vibrant, and bursting with Mediterranean flavor. Packed with juicy cherry tomatoes, crisp cucumber, creamy feta, and a zesty lemon vinaigrette, it’s perfect for picnics, potlucks, or a light lunch that leaves you satisfied without feeling weighed down.
Ingredients
- For the Salad:
- 1 cup dry orzo pasta
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 small cucumber, diced
- 1/2 red bell pepper, diced
- 1/4 red onion, finely chopped
- 1/3 cup crumbled feta cheese
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh basil
Salt and black pepper, to taste
- For the Dressing:
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 1½ tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1/2 tsp honey
- 1 garlic clove, minced
Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
Cook the Orzo:
Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Add orzo and cook until al dente according to package directions. Drain and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking. Set aside.Make the Dressing:
In a small bowl or jar, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, honey, minced garlic, salt, and pepper until well combined and emulsified.Assemble the Salad:
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled orzo, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red bell pepper, red onion, feta cheese, parsley, and basil.
Toss & Chill:
Pour the dressing over the salad and toss gently to coat everything evenly. Chill for 15–30 minutes before serving for best flavor.
Notes
Make it vegan by omitting feta and swapping honey for maple syrup.
Add grilled chicken, chickpeas, or olives for extra protein or flavor.
The salad tastes even better after sitting in the fridge for a bit, so it’s perfect for meal prep!
Use gluten-free pasta if needed—just make sure to rinse well to avoid sticking.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Salads, Lunch, Side Dishes
- Method: No-Bake, Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mediterranean-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion (1/4 recipe)
- Calories: 280 kcal
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: ~370mg (depending on feta & mustard brands)
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 7g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
Keywords: summer orzo salad, Mediterranean orzo salad, cold pasta salad, easy vegetarian lunch, lemon herb pasta salad