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Fresh Greek Orzo Salad Recipe Easy Zesty Lemon Vinaigrette Dressing

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A light and refreshing Greek-inspired orzo salad tossed with feta, kalamata olives, fresh herbs, and a zesty lemon vinaigrette. Perfect for quick meals or summer gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 ½ cups orzo pasta (about 250 g)
  • 1 medium cucumber, diced
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • ½ cup kalamata olives, pitted and sliced
  • ½ cup feta cheese, crumbled
  • ¼ cup red onion, finely diced
  • ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped
  • 2 tablespoons fresh dill, chopped (optional)
  • ¼ cup fresh lemon juice (about 2 lemons)
  • ⅓ cup extra virgin olive oil (80 ml)
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 1 ½ cups (250 g) of orzo and cook for 8–10 minutes until al dente. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking. Drain the pasta in a colander and rinse briefly under cold water to stop cooking and cool it down. Drain well and set aside.
  2. While the orzo cooks, dice the cucumber, halve the cherry tomatoes, slice the kalamata olives, finely chop the red onion, parsley, and dill. Place all these into a large mixing bowl.
  3. In a small bowl, whisk together ¼ cup fresh lemon juice, ⅓ cup extra virgin olive oil, 2 minced garlic cloves, 1 teaspoon dried oregano, 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup, and salt and pepper to taste. Whisk until the dressing is well emulsified and slightly thickened.
  4. Add the cooled orzo to the bowl with the veggies and herbs. Crumble ½ cup feta cheese over the top. Pour the lemon vinaigrette over everything and toss gently but thoroughly to combine. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
  5. Cover and refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes before serving. Give it a gentle stir before plating.

Notes

Rinse cooked orzo under cold water to stop cooking and prevent mushiness. Whisk vinaigrette vigorously to emulsify. Soak red onion in cold water for 10 minutes to mellow sharpness if desired. Adjust seasoning after chilling for best flavor. For dairy-free, omit feta or use vegan cheese alternative. Orzo can be swapped with gluten-free pasta or quinoa for gluten intolerance.

Nutrition

Keywords: Greek orzo salad, lemon vinaigrette, feta salad, Mediterranean salad, easy orzo recipe, summer salad, healthy salad

Find it online: https://norasfoods.com/fresh-greek-orzo-salad-recipe-easy-zesty-lemon-vinaigrette-dressing/