Best 3 Colorful Greek Orzo Salad Recipes

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**Colorful Greek Orzo Salad: A Mediterranean Delight!**

Indulge in the vibrant flavors of the Mediterranean with our tantalizing Colorful Greek Orzo Salad. This refreshing salad combines the goodness of orzo pasta, fresh vegetables, tangy feta cheese, and a zesty lemon-herb dressing. Each bite offers a delightful burst of flavors and textures, making it a perfect side dish or a light main course for lunch or dinner. With a rainbow of colors and an explosion of flavors, this salad is sure to impress your taste buds and leave you craving for more.

In this article, we'll take you on a step-by-step journey to create this delightful dish. We'll also introduce you to two additional variations of this salad: a Vegan Greek Orzo Salad for those with dietary restrictions and a Grilled Chicken Greek Orzo Salad for those who prefer a heartier meal. So, gather your ingredients, put on your apron, and let's dive into the world of vibrant Greek flavors!

Here are our top 3 tried and tested recipes!

MEDITERRANEAN ORZO SALAD



Mediterranean Orzo Salad image

You'll love this easy orzo salad loaded with chopped veggies, fresh herbs and other Mediterranean favorites. Tossed in a bold lemony dressing. For the best flavor, dress the Mediterranean orzo salad while the orzo is still a little warm. Pasta that hasn't cooled completely will drink up the dressing really well. And allow the salad to sit for at least a few minutes (or up to an hour in the fridge) for the flavors to meld before serving.

Provided by Suzy Karadsheh

Categories     Salad

Number Of Ingredients 13

1 ½ cup dry orzo pasta
1 pint grape or cherry tomatoes, (halved)
2 green onions, (trimmed and chopped (both white and green parts))
½ green bell pepper, (seeds removed, chopped)
1 cup packed chopped fresh parsley, (about 1 ½ ounces)
½ cup packed chopped fresh dill, (about 0.5 ounces)
¼ cup sliced pitted kalamata olives, (about 1 ounce)
2 teaspoons capers
Feta cheese, (to your liking)
1 lemon, (zested and juiced)
¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
1 garlic clove, (minced)
1 teaspoon oregano

Steps:

  • Cook the orzo pasta according package instructions (mine took about 8 minutes). Drain and cool briefly.
  • In a large mixing bowl, combine the grape tomatoes, green onions, bell peppers, parsley, dill, olives and capers (hold the feta for now). Add the orzo pasta.
  • Make the dressing. In a small bowl, combine the lemon juice, lemon zest, extra virgin olive oil, garlic, oregano and a good pinch of kosher salt and black pepper. Whisk to combine.
  • Pour the dressing over the salad and toss until well combined and the orzo pasta is well coated with the dressing.
  • Top with pieces of creamy feta cheese. Cover and refrigerate for a bit before serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 111.1 kcal, Carbohydrate 6.9 g, Protein 1.7 g, SaturatedFat 1.4 g, Cholesterol 0.4 mg, Sodium 39.4 mg, Fiber 2.3 g, ServingSize 1 serving

GREEK ORZO SALAD



Greek Orzo Salad image

Tart and refreshing, this side salad is a big hit at Judy Roberts' Las Vegas, Nevada home. With all the tasty toppings-including red onion, tomatoes, olives, feta cheese and a zesty dressing-you'd never know it has just 7 grams of fat. "Tiny pasta called orzo gives it extra interest," Judy notes.

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Lunch

Time 15m

Yield 8 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 13

1 cup uncooked orzo pasta
6 teaspoons olive oil, divided
1 medium red onion, finely chopped
1/2 cup minced fresh parsley
1/3 cup red wine vinegar
1-1/2 teaspoons dried oregano
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon sugar
1/8 teaspoon pepper
2 large tomatoes, seeded and chopped
1 medium cucumber, peeled, seeded and chopped
12 pitted ripe or Greek olives, halved
1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese

Steps:

  • Cook orzo according to package directions; drain. In a large serving bowl, toss orzo with 2 teaspoons oil. , In another bowl, combine the onion, parsley, vinegar, oregano, salt, sugar, pepper and remaining oil; pour over orzo and toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate for 2-24 hours. Just before serving, gently stir in tomatoes, cucumber, olives and cheese.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 120 calories, Fat 7g fat (2g saturated fat), Cholesterol 8mg cholesterol, Sodium 498mg sodium, Carbohydrate 11g carbohydrate (0 sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 3g protein. Diabetic Exchanges

GREEK ORZO SALAD



Greek Orzo Salad image

A delicious, colorful salad, with artichoke hearts and feta. I receive a lot of requests for this one.

Provided by Patrice

Categories     Salad     100+ Pasta Salad Recipes     Vegetarian Pasta Salad Recipes

Time 1h20m

Yield 6

Number Of Ingredients 11

1 ½ cups uncooked orzo pasta
2 (6 ounce) cans marinated artichoke hearts
1 tomato, seeded and chopped
1 cucumber, seeded and chopped
1 red onion, chopped
1 cup crumbled feta cheese
1 (2 ounce) can black olives, drained
¼ cup chopped fresh parsley
1 tablespoon lemon juice
½ teaspoon dried oregano
½ teaspoon lemon pepper

Steps:

  • Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente; drain. Drain artichoke hearts, reserving liquid.
  • In large bowl combine pasta, artichoke hearts, tomato, cucumber, onion, feta, olives, parsley, lemon juice, oregano and lemon pepper. Toss and chill for 1 hour in refrigerator.
  • Just before serving, drizzle reserved artichoke marinade over salad.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 325.8 calories, Carbohydrate 48.7 g, Cholesterol 22.3 mg, Fat 10.2 g, Fiber 4.8 g, Protein 13.1 g, SaturatedFat 4.1 g, Sodium 615.2 mg, Sugar 4.5 g

Tips:

  • Use high-quality ingredients: Fresh, flavorful ingredients will make all the difference in your orzo salad. Use ripe tomatoes, crisp cucumbers, and flavorful feta cheese.
  • Cook the orzo al dente: Orzo should be cooked until it is tender but still has a slight bite to it. Overcooked orzo will be mushy and unpleasant.
  • Let the salad cool before serving: This will allow the flavors to meld and the salad to firm up.
  • Use a light, flavorful dressing: A simple vinaigrette or lemon-herb dressing is a good choice for orzo salad. Avoid using heavy, creamy dressings, which can overpower the other ingredients.
  • Add some fresh herbs: Fresh herbs, such as basil, oregano, or parsley, can add a bright, flavorful touch to orzo salad.

Conclusion:

Orzo salad is a delicious, versatile dish that can be enjoyed as a main course or a side dish. It is perfect for potlucks, picnics, and summer barbecues. With its colorful ingredients and flavorful dressing, orzo salad is sure to be a hit with everyone who tries it.

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