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★ Why You'll Love this Recipe ★
Delicious Exotic Flavor
Put a Mediterranean spin on your pasta salad with this tasty recipe that includes a simple homemade dressing.
Greek seasonings and ingredients like tomatoes, olives, and feta cheese layer in to create a distinctively Mediterranean flavor.
Ready in just 20 Minutes.
This pasta salad is unique without being overly complicated to make. You'll need just 20 minutes to make this yummy side dish!
Make your own, or use bottle Greek dressing.
This recipe includes a 4-ingredient homemade Greek dressing. However, to save time, you can use bottled Greek dressing. Totally up to you!
A Vegetarian Side Dish
This pasta salad is a vegetarian dish, so it's great for bringing to potlucks or offering up as a side if you're hosting your own backyard barbecue.
Great for Meal Prep
I enjoy making a big batch of this Greek pasta salad for the week for a quick lunch. It's also a great dish to make ahead and take camping because it holds up well for several days.
★ Ingredients You'll Need ★
Here's a look at everything you'll need for the salad and dressing.
Main Ingredients
- Orzo pasta. Be sure to salt the water when cooking the orzo to infuse flavor. You can also add vegetable bouillon or chicken bouillon to the water (instead of salt) if you do not need this to be vegetarian.
- English cucumber. You can use regular cucumber as well, but English cucumbers tend to hold up better over time and are less watery.
- Cherry tomatoes. Grape tomatoes work well too. Try a tri-colored variety pack for a more colorful salad.
- Red onion. Or you can use white or yellow onion if you prefer.
- Kalamata olives. Ensure they are pitted and sliced. Drain away any juice.
- Feta cheese. Go with pre-crumbled to save time.
- Fresh parsley. Remove the stems and chop. You can use dried parsley in a pinch.
Greek Dressing
- Olive oil. You can use avocado oil or grape seed oil if you prefer.
- Lemon juice. Fresh-squeeze from one lemon. Bottled lemon juice does not offer the same quality so I highly recommend starting with a lemon.
- Dijon mustard. This adds a lovely depth of flavor.
- Greek seasoning. This is a dried spice blend or you can make your own combining: oregano, thyme, rosemary, basil, parsley, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper.
★ How to Make this Recipe ★
This pasta salad comes together in 3 main steps.
Here's a look:
- Combine dressing ingredients.
- Whisk until smooth.
- Cook the orzo, drain and cool.
- Chop veggies and herbs; add to bowl.
- Add feta cheese and toss with dressing.
- Chill then serve!
Super easy!
★ Tips & FAQs ★
Yes, you can prepare Greek orzo salad in advance. In fact, it often tastes even better after the flavors have had time to meld together. Store it in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 2-3 days. You may want to add more dressing as the pasta absorbs it. You can make extra or reserve a little dressing to the side to put on right before serving.
While orzo is traditional for Greek orzo salad and it's fun because it's different than the normal pasta salads you see at barbecues, you can certainly substitute it with other small pasta shapes like couscous or pearl barley if desired.
Yes, Greek orzo salad is vegetarian-friendly. It typically contains vegetables, herbs, feta cheese, and a dressing made with olive oil and lemon juice.
Greek orzo salad will typically last 3-5 days in the refrigerator when stored properly in an airtight container.
★ More Orzo and Pasta Recipes ★
Want more pasta salad ideas?
Browse all my easy pasta salad recipes and be sure to Pin your favorites for later.
Greek Orzo Salad
Equipment
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 cup orzo pasta
- 1 English cucumber diced
- 4 oz grape or cherry tomatoes halved
- ¼ cup red onion finely chopped
- ½ cup sliced kalamata or black olives
- ½ cup crumbled feta cheese
- 2 tablespoon fresh parsley chopped
Greek Dressing
- ⅓ cup olive oil
- 2 tablespoon lemon juice (1 lemon)
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon Greek seasoning
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Instructions
- Prepare orzo. Cook orzo according to package instructions. Drain let cool completely. Set aside.
- Make dressing. In a small mixing bowl or mason jar with lid, combine olive oil, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, and Greek seasoning using a fork or whisk. Or shake it in a mason jar.
- Combine salad and dressing. In a large bowl, add diced cucumber, tomatoes, onion, olives, feta, and parsley. Add cooled orzo and dressing. Gently toss to coat.
- Chill and serve or serve immediately.
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