Allow me to share with you this Greek Orzo Salad, a dish filled with cherished memories, incredible flavors, and a lot of love.
Introducing the Greek Orzo Salad—a dish where bold flavors meet simple ingredients. As an avid pasta enthusiast and a lover of Mediterranean cuisine, I crafted this delightful salad to be a crowd-pleaser at picnics, BBQs, and family gatherings. It’s a guilt-free dish, bursting with satisfying flavors that are sure to please everyone.
The real magic of this Greek Orzo Salad lies in its adaptability. Perfect for meal prepping, you can whip it up in advance and have a Mediterranean-inspired meal ready to brighten your week. I’m genuinely excited to share this recipe with you and hope you’ll savor it as much as I do!
Ingredients for Your Greek Orzo Salad
- Orzo Pasta: The star of the show, orzo pasta, brings a delightful chewy texture and mild flavor, making it the perfect base for this salad.
- Cherry Tomatoes: These juicy and sweet cherry tomatoes provide bursts of fresh flavor and vibrant color to the salad.
- Cucumber: Diced cucumber adds a refreshing crunch and a mild, watery contrast to the other ingredients.
- Red Onion: Finely diced red onion offers a crisp bite and a hint of sharpness, balancing the salad’s flavors.
- Kalamata Olives: Pitted and sliced Kalamata olives bring a briny and savory note, contributing to the Mediterranean essence.
- Feta Cheese: Creamy and crumbled feta cheese provides a salty and tangy element that elevates the salad’s creaminess.
- Fresh Herbs (Mint and Parsley): Fresh mint and parsley infuse the salad with a herbaceous aroma and a bright, leafy freshness.
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil: A drizzle of extra virgin olive oil adds richness and a smooth, fruity depth while enhancing the salad’s texture.
- Lemon Juice: Freshly squeezed lemon juice offers zesty acidity, enhancing the overall flavor profile of the salad.
- Garlic: Minced garlic cloves provide a gentle, aromatic kick and a subtle hint of spice.
- Dried Oregano: Dried oregano imparts earthy and herbal notes, enhancing the Mediterranean flair.
Customizing Your Greek Orzo Salad
This salad is wonderfully adaptable to your preferences. While the original recipe is already a flavor-packed delight, you can tailor it to your liking. Craving more protein? Grilled chicken complements the existing ingredients wonderfully, and garbanzo beans provide a vegetarian protein alternative. If you’re a veggie enthusiast, consider adding grilled vegetables like bell peppers, zucchini, or eggplant for an extra dimension of flavor. And when it comes to herbs, while I use fresh mint and parsley, feel free to experiment with dill or basil for a unique flavor infusion. The possibilities are as limitless as your culinary imagination! Pro Tips for the Perfect Salad
Guide to the Perfect Greek Orzo Salad
- Cook the Orzo Al Dente: The orzo should be tender and fully cooked yet retain a slight chewiness.
- Rinse Under Cold Water: After cooking, drain the orzo and give it a quick rinse under cold water. This stops the cooking process and cools it down swiftly.
- Keep Vegetable Proportions Balanced: Slice your vegetables into small, bite-sized pieces to ensure a harmonious blend in every mouthful.
- Embrace Fresh Herbs: Incorporating fresh herbs adds a vibrant burst of flavor that beautifully complements the other ingredients.
- Dress Right Before Serving: To maintain the freshness of your orzo salad and prevent it from becoming soggy, add the dressing just before serving.
- Extra Orzo Pasta? Freeze It!: If you cook more orzo than required for the salad, don’t fret. You can freeze the leftovers for later use!
Pairing Your Greek Orzo Salad
The Greek Orzo Salad pairs well with a variety of main courses. It’s the perfect side for a flavorful Kofta Kabab, and seafood lovers will enjoy it with Panko-crusted Halibut. Vegetarians can pair it with a slice of Ricotta Peas Pie for a satisfying meal. And let’s not forget about the classic chicken – oven-baked chicken drumsticks or a juicy roasted chicken breast, which would be delightful partners for this salad.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Cook the Orzo
Once cooked, drain the orzo in a colander and immediately rinse under cold water to halt the cooking process and cool it down quickly. Set aside to drain completely before using.
Prep the Vegetables
Add all the prepped vegetables to a large salad bowl. Once the orzo has cooled completely, add it to the bowl as well, and gently toss to combine.
Make the Dressing
Dress & Toss the Salad
Chill & Serve

Enjoy your Greek Orzo Salad! It's perfect for meal prep, picnics, or a light Mediterranean-style lunch.
Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups orzo pasta | |
2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved | |
1 medium cucumber, diced | |
1 medium red onion, finely diced | |
1 1/2 cup Kalamata olives, pitted and sliced | |
1/2 cup feta cheese, crumbled | |
1/4 cup fresh mint, chopped | |
1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped | |
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil | |
1 lemon, juiced | |
2 cloves garlic, minced | |
1 teaspoon dried oregano | |
Salt and black pepper to taste |
Preparation
Bring a large pot of well-salted water to a boil. Add the orzo and cook until al dente, about 8–10 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. Once cooked, drain the orzo in a colander and immediately rinse under cold water to halt the cooking process and cool it down quickly. Set aside to drain completely before using.
While the orzo is cooking, prepare your vegetables. Halve the cherry tomatoes, dice the cucumber, finely dice the red onion, and slice the olives. Add all the prepped vegetables to a large salad bowl. Once the orzo has cooled completely, add it to the bowl as well, and gently toss to combine.
In a small bowl or jar, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, dried oregano, salt, and pepper until well blended. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
Pour the prepared dressing over the orzo salad, then gently toss until all the ingredients are evenly coated and well combined. Make sure the dressing reaches every bite for maximum flavor.
Cover the salad and let it rest in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour before serving. This allows the flavors to meld beautifully and makes the salad even more refreshing. Enjoy your Greek Orzo Salad! It's perfect for meal prep, picnics, or a light Mediterranean-style lunch.
Recipe Tips & Suggestions
Storage Tips:
Nutrition Information
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist's advice.
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Made this Greek Orzo Salad? I’d love to hear from you! Share your thoughts, variations, or any helpful tips you might have in the comments below. Your feedback is invaluable to us and our community. Plus, I love seeing your take on our recipes!