Greek Orzo Salad

Add some pizzazz to your pasta salad game with this Greek orzo salad! Made with plump tomatoes, briny olives, creamy feta cheese, crunchy cucumbers, spicy red onion, fresh parsley, and a simple homemade Greek dressing. This orzo pasta comes together in just 20 minutes. Great for parties or meal prep lunch. Served cold.

Put a Mediterranean spin on your pasta salad with this tasty recipe that includes a simple homemade dressing. You'll need just 20 minutes to make this yummy side dish!

★ Why You'll Love this Recipe ★

This pasta salad is unique without being overly complicated to make.

Greek seasonings and ingredients like tomatoes, olives, and feta cheese layer in to create a distinctively Mediterranean flavor.

This recipe includes a 4-ingredient homemade Greek dressing. However, to save time, you can use bottled Greek dressing. Totally up to you!

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.

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:

• Cook the orzo, drain and cool.
• Combine dressing ingredients.
• Chop the veggies and herbs.
• Combine the salad with dressing and feta cheese.
• Chill then serve!

Super easy!

★ Tips & FAQs ★

Can I make Greek orzo salad in advance?

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.

Can I use a different type of pasta instead of orzo?

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.

Is Greek orzo salad a vegetarian side dish?

Yes, Greek orzo salad is vegetarian-friendly. It typically contains vegetables, herbs, feta cheese, and a dressing made with olive oil and lemon juice.

How long does Greek orzo salad last in the refrigerator?

Greek orzo salad will typically last 3-5 days in the refrigerator when stored properly in an airtight container.

★ More Recipes You'll Love ★

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