This Ultimate Greek Orzo Salad is the perfect dish for lunch or dinner! It's easy to make, full of flavor and packed with bright vegetables. The base of this salad is Orzo, a small pasta shaped like a grain of rice. Orzo is cooked in a then combined with crisp cucumbers, juicy tomatoes, salty feta cheese and tart Kalamata olives for a refreshing salad that your family will love.
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❤️ Why I love this recipe
- This simple orzo salad is one of my favorite recipes because it’s so fresh and flavorful.
- The combination of ingredients is simple, but still packs a flavorful punch!
- I love the crunchy texture from the cucumbers, the juicy sweetness of the tomatoes, and the salty sharpness of feta cheese.
This salad is fresh , delicious and can be made in a flash! It’s perfect for lunch or dinner, as a side dish or even as a meal on its own. Plus, it makes great leftovers and tastes just as good the next day! So give this easy salad a try - you won’t regret it!
🛒 Ingredients
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Note: The full list of this recipe ingredients with their amounts and options are listed in the recipe card below.
- dry orzo pasta
- Greek Salad Dressing
- red wine vinegar
- fresh lemon juice
- oregano
- sea salt
- Persian cucumbers
- grape tomatoes
- cooked chickpeas
- feta cheese
- red onion
- Kalamata olives
- fresh basil
- Freshly ground black pepper
🗒 Instructions
Note: This is an overview of the instructions. The full instructions are in the recipe card below.
- Cook the orzo and then, drain the orzo and toss it with a little olive oil, so that it doesn’t stick together. Spread onto a baking sheet to cool.
- Prepare the Greek Salad Dressing and add in the red wine vinegar, lemon juice, oregano, and sea salt.
- Mix the dressing well until well combined.
- In a large bowl, toss together the cooked orzo, cucumbers, tomatoes, chickpeas, feta, red onion, and olives.
- Drizzle the dressing over the salad, add half the herbs, season with freshly ground black pepper, and toss to coat.
🔪 Equipment
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You’ll need the following items to make this recipe successfully.
🤔 FAQs
These are the questions we are most frequently asked about making Ultimate Greek Orzo Salad
No, I don't recommend freezing this greek orzo plasta salad because the vegetables do not thaw well.
Yes, this salad is nutrient dense thanks to the all the vegetables, so you can feel great about enjoying it.
Orzo is a small oblong shaped pasta that has an amazing texture.
So many different things pair well this is orzo greek salad salad, I like to pair it grilled meats, or other savory proteins.
👩🏻🍳 Tips
- Make sure that you don't overcook the orzo, follow the package directions since pasta timing can vary.
- Spread the orzo out so that it dries well to prevent your salad from becoming watery.
- Try to cut your vegetables as evenly as possible so that you get delicious bite-sized pieces.
📚 Variations
- Replace the chickpeas with white beans for a great protein boost.
- Add in your favorite fresh herbs like dill, oregano, or parsley.
- Try adding some diced bell peppers for extra crunch and color.
- If you can't find Persian cucumbers you can use English cucumbers instead.
🥫 Storage
Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days. However, I don't recommend freezing this salad.
📗 Related Recipes
- This Dill Pickle Pasta Salad is bursting with tender pasta, crunchy dill pickles, and coated in a creamy mayo dressing. It's the perfect dressing to make when you want something a little different for your side dish.
- If you are looking for a healthy yet flavorful salad that has a light dressing then you will want to this Arugula Salad recipe a try next. The peppery and tangy flavors in this salad will wow your taste buds.
- This Italian Pasta Salad is light, refreshing, and perfect for summer cookouts. Your friends and family will love this tangy salad.
- Try this recipe for Italian Bow Tie Pasta Salad and enjoy a delicious side with yummy antipasto ingredients.
- And if the Mediterranean flavors are your jam, you have to make our Antipasto Mediterranean Chickpea Salad recipe. You'll want to make it often.
🍽 Serve with
- This delicious salad pairs so well with grilled meats like these Grilled Pork Kebabs. They are in a flavorful marinade that takes the pork over the top!
- This No Yeast Bread is a great way to make homemade bread without all the work of yeast. It's light, fluffy and oh so delicious. Make this bread today!
- This No Bake Key Lime Pie is a simple and creamy dessert that's perfect to make on warm days, or when you want to take it easy in the kitchen. You won't regret making this sweet treat.
📞 Chiacchierata (chat)
I love this salad because its filling enough to be a main dish, but also light enough that can served as a side dish for dinner or potlucks. Also it's the perfect potluck or gathering dish. This orzo salad is a favorite with the little ones and adults.
And if you'd like to try a salad that adds packs more vitamins and nutrition without meat, you must try our Mediterranean Farro Salad recipe. It's so good you won't believe it is so good for you too.
Another salad I know you'll enjoy is this Lemony Mediterranean Pearl Couscous Salad. It's so simple to make and brimming with fresh vegetables, briny feta cheese, and dressed in a light lemon vinaigrette.
Next time you're looking for another fantastic orzo side to accompany your dinner, try our delicious Creamy Orzo Pasta with Marinated Grape Tomatoes.
Tutti a tavolo, è pronto!
What's new? Check out my All Our Way Store on Amazon. We'll be adding more items we love and use or wish we had to make cooking fun and easy.
📝 Recipe Card
This salad is a light and flavorful Greek-style orzo salad. It's made with cooked orzo, cucumbers, tomatoes, chickpeas, feta cheese, red onion, olives, herbs and a delicious homemade Greek dressing. The flavor combination is amazing!
And another incredible salad you can make for your next potluck, church supper, barbecue, or family gathering, serve this Italian Potato Salad. It has no mayo or eggs but it does have fabulous ingredients bursting with flavor.
If you love this recipe please give it 5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.
📖 Recipe
Ultimate Greek Orzo Salad
Ingredients
- 1½ cups dry orzo pasta
- 1 recipe Greek Salad Dressing or use your favorite brand
- 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- ½ teaspoon oregano
- ¼ teaspoon sea salt
- 2 Persian cucumbers halved vertically and quartered and sliced ¼-inch thick
- 2 cups halved grape tomatoes
- 1 cup cooked chickpeas drained, and rinsed
- 4 ounces feta cheese cut into ¼-inch cubes
- ⅓ cup thinly sliced red onion
- ½ cup pitted Kalamata olives halved
- 1 cup fresh basil and/or mint leaves or a combination
- Freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Prepare the pasta according to the package directions, or until slightly past al dente. Drain the orzo and toss it with a little olive oil, so that it doesn’t stick together. Spread onto a baking sheet to cool.
- Prepare the Greek Salad Dressing and add in the red wine vinegar, lemon juice, oregano, and sea salt.
- In a large bowl, toss together the cooked orzo, cucumbers, tomatoes, chickpeas, feta, red onion, and olives. Drizzle the dressing over the salad, add half the herbs, season with freshly ground black pepper, and toss to coat. Garnish with the remaining herbs and serve.
Notes
- Make sure that you don't overcook the orzo, follow the package directions since pasta timing can vary.
- Spread the orzo out so that it dries well to prevent your salad from becoming watery.
- Try to cut your vegetables as evenly as possible so that you get delicious bite-sized pieces.