Best 4 Summertime Orzo Salad Recipes

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In the realm of summer salads, the Summertime Orzo Salad stands as a delightful symphony of flavors and textures. This vibrant dish combines the hearty goodness of orzo pasta with a medley of fresh and colorful ingredients. From the crisp sweetness of bell peppers and cucumber to the tangy bite of red onion and feta cheese, each element comes together in perfect harmony.

Let's take a closer look at the delightful recipes featured in this article:

1. **Summertime Orzo Salad with Grilled Vegetables:** This vibrant salad elevates the classic orzo salad with the smoky, charred flavors of grilled vegetables. Bell peppers, zucchini, and cherry tomatoes are grilled to perfection, adding a delightful depth of flavor to the mix.

2. **Orzo Salad with Lemon-Herb Dressing:** This refreshing and zesty salad is a celebration of bright citrus notes. The tangy lemon-herb dressing, made with fresh lemon juice, herbs, and a touch of honey, perfectly complements the tender orzo and crisp vegetables.

3. **Mediterranean Orzo Salad:** Inspired by the vibrant flavors of the Mediterranean, this salad is a delightful fusion of textures and tastes. Sun-dried tomatoes, Kalamata olives, and crumbled feta cheese add a savory richness to the mix, while fresh herbs and a tangy dressing complete this flavorful journey.

4. **Greek Orzo Salad:** This classic Greek salad gets a delightful twist with the addition of orzo pasta. Juicy cherry tomatoes, crisp cucumbers, and tangy feta cheese are tossed with a simple yet flavorful vinaigrette, creating a refreshing and authentic Greek salad experience.

5. **Orzo Salad with Roasted Chicken:** This hearty and satisfying salad is perfect for a protein-packed meal. Tender roasted chicken is combined with orzo, roasted vegetables, and a creamy dressing, making it a complete and flavorful dish.

Get ready to embark on a culinary adventure as you explore these delectable summertime orzo salad recipes. With a variety of flavors and textures to choose from, there's something for everyone to enjoy.

Here are our top 4 tried and tested recipes!

SUMMERTIME ORZO SALAD



Summertime Orzo Salad image

Spiced up orzo salad with fresh veggies. It goes great with grilled meats and vegetables. Take it out of the fridge and add a splash of olive oil 30 minutes before serving.

Provided by FrackFamily5 CA->CT

Categories     Pasta and Noodles     Pasta by Shape Recipes

Time 8h45m

Yield 12

Number Of Ingredients 10

6 ounces uncooked orzo pasta
½ cup frozen peas
½ cup chopped cucumber
¼ cup diced red bell pepper
¼ cup diced red onion
¼ cup chopped marinated artichoke hearts
1 Roma tomato, seeded and diced
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
2 tablespoons salad seasoning mix (such as McCormick® Salad Supreme Seasoning)
2 tablespoons olive oil

Steps:

  • Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook orzo in the boiling water, stirring occasionally until tender yet firm to the bite, about 11 minutes.
  • While pasta is cooking, place peas, cucumber, bell pepper, onion, artichokes, and tomato into a large bowl and toss.
  • Drain cooked orzo, but do not rinse or cool. Toss hot pasta with the veggies in the bowl and mix in vinegar, seasoning mix, and oil.
  • Cover and refrigerate for 8 hours, or overnight. Serve.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 87.8 calories, Carbohydrate 12.9 g, Cholesterol 0.4 mg, Fat 3 g, Fiber 1.1 g, Protein 2.8 g, SaturatedFat 0.5 g, Sodium 115 mg, Sugar 1.4 g

SUMMER ORZO



Summer Orzo image

I'm always looking for fun ways to use the fresh veggies that come in my Community Supported Agriculture box, and this salad is one of my favorite creations. I like to improvise with whatever I have on hand, feel free to do the same here! -Shayna Marmar, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Lunch     Side Dishes

Time 30m

Yield 16 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 15

1 package (16 ounces) orzo pasta
1/4 cup water
1-1/2 cups fresh or frozen corn
24 cherry tomatoes, halved
2 cups crumbled feta cheese
1 medium cucumber, seeded and chopped
1 small red onion, finely chopped
1/4 cup minced fresh mint
2 tablespoons capers, drained and chopped, optional
1/2 cup olive oil
1/4 cup lemon juice
1 tablespoon grated lemon zest
1-1/2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon pepper
1 cup sliced almonds, toasted

Steps:

  • Cook orzo according to package directions for al dente. Drain orzo; rinse with cold water and drain well. Transfer to a large bowl., In a large nonstick skillet, heat water over medium heat. Add corn; cook and stir until crisp-tender, 3-4 minutes. Add to orzo; stir in tomatoes, feta cheese, cucumber, onion, mint and, if desired, capers. In a small bowl, whisk oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, salt and pepper until blended. Pour over orzo mixture; toss to coat. Refrigerate 30 minutes., Just before serving, stir in almonds.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 291 calories, Fat 15g fat (4g saturated fat), Cholesterol 15mg cholesterol, Sodium 501mg sodium, Carbohydrate 28g carbohydrate (3g sugars, Fiber 3g fiber), Protein 11g protein.

SUMMER ORZO SALAD



Summer Orzo Salad image

Provided by Geoffrey Zakarian

Categories     side-dish

Time 45m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 14

1 bunch scallions
1/3 cup plus 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 cup uncooked orzo pasta
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
2/3 cup Kalamata or cured black olives, pitted and chopped
1 cup diced cucumber
1 cup halved cherry or grape tomatoes
1/4 cup fresh chives, finely chopped
1/4 cup fresh dill, chopped
1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
1/4 red onion, finely diced
6 ounces goat cheese, crumbled

Steps:

  • Preheat a grill to high heat.
  • Toss the scallions in a bowl with 2 tablespoons olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Grill the scallions until the bulbs are tender and the greens are well-charred, about 8 minutes. Set aside to cool. (Alternately, you can char the scallions in a cast-iron pan on the stove.) Chop the white and light green parts finely, then discard the remaining ends of the scallions.
  • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil for the orzo. Drop in the orzo and begin to cook. Meanwhile, add the chopped scallions to a medium bowl. Add the vinegar, Dijon mustard, remaining 1/3 cup olive oil and half of the olives and whisk until combined. Season with salt and pepper.
  • When the pasta is finished cooking, drain and rinse to cool. Immediately toss in some of the vinaigrette, along with the cucumber, tomatoes, herbs, red onion and remaining olives. Mix well. Add more dressing to taste. Top with the goat cheese and serve.

SUMMERTIME ORZO & CHICKEN



Summertime Orzo & Chicken image

This easy-as-can-be main dish is likely to become a summer staple at your house. It's that good! If you prefer, grill the chicken breasts instead of cooking in a skillet. -Fran MacMillan, West Melbourne, Florida

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Dinner

Time 30m

Yield 4 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 10

3/4 cup uncooked orzo pasta
1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
1 medium cucumber, chopped
1 small red onion, chopped
1/4 cup minced fresh parsley
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/4 cup crumbled reduced-fat feta cheese

Steps:

  • Cook pasta according to package directions; drain., Meanwhile, in a large skillet coated with cooking spray, cook and stir chicken over medium heat until no longer pink, 6-8 minutes. Transfer to a large bowl., Add cucumber, onion, parsley and pasta. In a small bowl, mix lemon juice, oil, salt and pepper; toss with chicken mixture. Serve immediately or refrigerate and serve cold. Top with cheese before serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 320 calories, Fat 7g fat (2g saturated fat), Cholesterol 65mg cholesterol, Sodium 742mg sodium, Carbohydrate 32g carbohydrate (3g sugars, Fiber 2g fiber), Protein 30g protein. Diabetic Exchanges

Tips:

  • Prep your ingredients ahead of time: Chop your veggies, cook your orzo, and make your dressing in advance to save time when assembling your salad.
  • Use fresh, seasonal ingredients: This will give your salad the best flavor and texture.
  • Don't be afraid to experiment: You can add or remove ingredients to suit your taste. For example, if you like spicy food, you could add some red pepper flakes to the dressing. Or, if you're a fan of feta cheese, you could crumble some on top of the salad.
  • Make sure your salad is well-chilled before serving: This will help the flavors meld together and make the salad more refreshing.

Conclusion:

Summertime orzo salad is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that's perfect for potlucks, picnics, or backyard barbecues. With its vibrant colors and fresh flavors, this salad is sure to be a hit with everyone who tries it. Plus, it's a great way to use up leftover orzo. So next time you're looking for a light and refreshing summer dish, give this summertime orzo salad a try. You won't be disappointed!

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