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Fresh Greek Orzo Salad with Crisp Veggies

Fresh Greek Orzo Salad - featured image
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A quick, easy, and healthy Greek-inspired orzo salad featuring fresh cucumbers, bell peppers, cherry tomatoes, olives, and feta cheese tossed in a lemony dressing. Perfect for summer gatherings or a light meal.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 ½ cups orzo pasta (about 300g)
  • 1 large cucumber, diced
  • 1 cup mixed bell peppers, chopped
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • ¼ cup red onion, finely diced
  • ½ cup Kalamata olives, pitted and sliced
  • ½ cup feta cheese, crumbled
  • ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped
  • 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Bring 4 cups (1 liter) of salted water to a boil in a medium pot. Add 1 ½ cups (300g) orzo and cook for 8-9 minutes, stirring occasionally, until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop cooking and cool the pasta.
  2. While the orzo cooks, dice 1 large cucumber, chop 1 cup mixed bell peppers, halve 1 cup cherry tomatoes, and finely dice ¼ cup red onion. Slice ½ cup Kalamata olives and crumble ½ cup feta cheese. Chop ¼ cup fresh parsley.
  3. In a small bowl, whisk together 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice, ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil, 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar, 1 teaspoon dried oregano, salt, and pepper to taste. Adjust seasoning as needed.
  4. In a large bowl, toss the cooled orzo with the chopped veggies, olives, parsley, and feta. Pour the dressing over and mix gently but thoroughly to coat evenly.
  5. Let the salad chill in the fridge for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld. Toss gently before serving.

Notes

Rinse the orzo after cooking to stop the cooking process and prevent clumping. Chill the salad for at least 30 minutes before serving for best flavor. Adjust salt and pepper generously as pasta and veggies absorb dressing. For gluten-free, substitute orzo with quinoa or gluten-free pasta. For dairy-free, omit feta or use plant-based cheese.

Nutrition

Keywords: Greek salad, orzo salad, healthy salad, easy salad recipe, Mediterranean diet, summer salad, vegetarian salad

Find it online: https://novanosh.com/fresh-greek-orzo-salad-recipe-easy-healthy-salad-with-crisp-veggies/