Easy 20 Minute Greek Orzo Salad

This 20 Minute Greek Orzo Salad is quick, easy, and absolutely bursting with Mediterranean-inspired flavors! Al dente orzo pasta, crispy cucumbers, tender artichoke hearts, hearty chickpeas, sun-dried tomatoes, and Kalamata olives are tossed in a homemade balsamic vinaigrette and topped with crumbled feta cheese.

 

You Will Love This

• This orzo salad with feta is the perfect combination of seven powerhouse ingredients, plus a homemade balsamic dressing that you’ll want to put on everything. It comes together in about 20 minutes, with minimal prep work, and can be made ahead of time for a delicious side dish!
• If you love this recipe, be sure to check out my:
  • Greek Potato Wedges with Yogurt Sauce
  • Mediterranean Flatbread Pizza
  • Baked Feta Appetizer

Ingredients and Substitutions

• Orzo Pasta – Orzo is a very short noodle that looks like a large piece of rice. It’s great in cold pasta salads but you can use whatever short-cut noodle you like best for this recipe!
• Mini Cucumbers – Mini cucumbers have all the refreshing crispness of a regular English cucumber, but they’re also super cute. And slightly sweeter. You can use a regular English cucumber if you need to though.
• Sun-Dried Tomatoes – Sun-dried tomatoes are going to add a tart sweetness to the salad. You can skip them if you’re not a fan or use fresh grape tomatoes or cherry tomatoes in their place!
• Kalamata Olives – Kalamata olives are a staple Greek flavor. They are meaty, a little bit fruity, and almost sweet. You could use another Mediterranean olive, black olives, or a jarred medley if you prefer.
• Artichoke Hearts – The artichoke heart’s floral, earthy flavors help to ground the slight sweetness of other ingredients. You can use the canned variety or the oil-packed hearts in a jar.
• Canned Chickpeas – Chickpeas are a great source of plant-based protein, and add another nutty tone to this salad. You could use another white bean, like cannellini beans, if you need a substitute.
• Feta Cheese – A block of feta (especially in brine) will have a much fresher flavor and richer texture than pre-crumbled feta. And it just takes a minute to crumble it with a fork at home!
• Simple Homemade Balsamic Dressing – We’re combining rich, complex balsamic with sour, tang, and fresh herbs for a homemade dressing that may actually be life-changing. Feel free to use red wine vinegar in place of the balsamic for a slightly different flavor. Don’t skip the lemon juice and zest though – it adds a ton of depth!

Instructions

Boil orzo in a large pot of salted water. Drain and toss in olive oil. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Add pasta, cucumber, sun-dried tomato, olives, artichoke hearts, chickpeas, feta, red onion, and parsley to a large mixing bowl.

Pour simple balsamic dressing over salad.

Toss to coat evenly and garnish with fresh parsley and enjoy!

Tips

• Pop the pasta in the fridge to cool. Cooling the pasta immediately prevents it from over-cooking. I prefer the fridge over the cold water method because it’s easier, and because it thoroughly chills the pasta until you’re ready for it. Rinsing the pasta also removes the starch which prevents the dressing from thoroughly coating every noodle!
• Toss it in olive oil so it doesn’t stick together. Starchy noodles will immediately start sticking together. Before you put the pasta in the fridge, be sure to toss it in some olive oil and season it with salt and pepper to keep the noodles free.
• Add more balsamic if you like a tangy dressing. Once you mix up the dressing, taste it and tailor it to your liking. I like to add a little more balsamic for a more acidic dressing – this adds more depth and tang to the dish.

Variations

Feel free to switch up the ingredients in this Greek orzo salad! Some of our favorite variations are protein or veggies including:

• leftover grilled chicken breast
• grilled shrimp
• roasted salmon
• diced red bell pepper
• capers
• fresh basil
• fresh dill

Make-Ahead and Storage

• Make-Ahead – You can make this salad ahead of time for a quick and easy meal prep recipe to enjoy for lunches throughout the week! If you’re planning to enjoy this salad at a later date, I recommend adding just half the dressing initially. Then add the remaining dressing just before serving.
• Storage – You can store this salad in an airtight container and it will stay fresh for up 5 days. As above, add half the dressing initially, then add a splash of dressing just before serving to boost the flavors and so the pasta doesn’t get soggy.

FAQ

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