As the sun begins to make an appearance, it’s the perfect time to indulge in seasonal eating. What better way to do so than with our refreshing Greek Orzo Salad? Inspired by our recent trip to Rhodes, this recipe uses fresh cucumbers, lemons, and perfectly ripe tomatoes – which reach their peak at this time of the year.
We love meal-prepping this salad for easy midweek lunches, but we also serve this as part of our grazing tables – it’s certainly a customer favourite! Pair it with succulent grilled chicken, delicate steamed salmon, or with a simple sandwich.
Method
Follow these steps to make our Greek Orzo Salad
Start by cooking your orzo pasta according to package instructions (around 10 minutes or so). We’d recommend adding a large pinch of salt to the water whilst cooking as this helps to bring out the flavour of the pasta. Once cooked, drain your orzo and set aside.
Next, chop your vegetables. Dice your red onion, finely chop your baby cucumbers, and cut your tomatoes in half. Finely slice your black olives (or, if you’re short on time, use pre-sliced olives instead!). Add everything to a large mixing bowl. If you are adding a can of chickpeas, add these now. Crumble your block of feta into the bowl before moving onto the next step.
To make the gorgeous tangy dressing, combine your high-quality olive oil, freshly squeezed lemon juice, Dijon mustard, salt and pepper and mix well. The dressing should taste fresh without being overly lemon-y.
Once your dressing is made and your orzo is cooled, add everything to your mixing bowl (cooling your pasta is essential otherwise you’ll melt the feta – we want it to retain its shape!). Finally, add your finely chopped dill and mix well until everything is evenly coated. Taste and adjust the seasonings as needed.
Serve your Greek orzo salad with steamed salmon, grilled chicken, or simply enjoy a large bowlful on its own! If you want to pack your salad with extra nutrients, you could also add a few handfuls of rocket, spinach, or another salad leaf of your choice.
The Greek orzo salad will last for up to 3-4 days in the fridge, stored in an air-tight container.
What To Serve With Greek Orzo Salad
This salad is super versatile and can be served with almost anything. However, our favourite accompaniments include:
- Grilled herby chicken
- Salmon or sea bass
- Homemade tzatziki
- Olive tapenade
- Any Greek or Mediterranean dish!
Seasonal Salad Recipes From Savery Grazing
If you’re looking for more easy summer recipes, you might also enjoy our Grilled Courgette Salad, Summer Watermelon Salad, or our Garlicky Butterbean Salad. We also have a helpful blog on 23+ Winter Salads so you certainly won’t be stuck for inspiration!
For more foodie inspiration, keep up to date with our food blog, or alternatively, follow us on Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest.
Related Questions
Can I Use a Different Type Of Pasta?
Whilst orzo is our favourite choice for this recipe, you can experiment with other small pasta shapes like fusilli or farfalle – the smaller the pasta shape, the better. Keep in mind that different pasta shapes may affect the overall texture of the salad.
How Long Does Greek Orzo Salad Last in the Refrigerator?
When stored in an airtight container, Greek orzo salad can last in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. However, it’s best enjoyed fresh, as the vegetables (particularly the cucumber) may lose their crispness over time.
Is Greek Orzo Salad Healthy?
Absolutely, Greek Orzo Salad is a nutritious and wholesome dish! Packed with fresh vegetables, whole grains, and healthy fats, it can work well as part of a balanced diet. If you’re looking for a salad with slightly fewer calories, swap the feta for a low-fat alternative, and swap half of the orzo for salad leaves.
I made this for the first time to bring to a friends BBQ and it was delicious!
Used half a cucumber instead of baby ones, with the watery seeds removed. Same for the cherry tomatoes, worth the effort to avoid soggy salad.
10/10, honestly tempted to make another batch when I get home!
Hi Claire, thank you for your lovely comment! We hope it was a hit at the BBQ. Thank you for sharing the tip on removing the seeds from the cucumber and tomatoes – that will definitely help the orzo salad to store better!