Straightforward Lemon Herb Orzo Salad Recipe

In the event you’re craving one thing recent, mild, and filled with taste, this Lemon Herb Orzo Salad is looking your title. It’s the type of dish that appears such as you put in a ton of effort, however actually, it comes along with minimal fuss—and it’s all the time a success.

Lemon herb orzo salad on a wooden cutting board.

I like making this salad when the climate warms up or after I want a facet dish that goes with absolutely anything. It’s vivid from the lemon, creamy from the feta, and has that good crunch from the cucumbers and crimson onion. And the recent dill? Don’t skip it. It provides the entire salad a burst of herby goodness that makes it style like summer season in a bowl.

Whether or not you’re serving it at a BBQ, packing it for lunch, or simply having fun with it straight from the bowl whereas standing on the counter (no judgment!), this orzo salad is a type of recipes you’ll wish to carry on repeat.

I made a batch not too long ago, and Veldon’s sister, Diana, couldn’t cease raving about it. She went again for seconds (and possibly thirds!) and stored asking what sort of rice I used—she was shocked after I advised her it was orzo! It’s a type of pasta shapes that throws folks off, however as soon as they style it in a salad like this, they’re hooked.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Contemporary and Flavorful: The combo of zesty lemon, crisp veggies, and creamy feta makes each chew vivid and satisfying.
Good for Hotter Climate: It’s mild, refreshing, and doesn’t require turning on the oven—ideally suited for summer season meals or BBQs.
Make-Forward Pleasant: This salad tastes even higher after it’s had time to relax and take in all that lemony dressing.
Versatile Aspect or Principal: Serve it alongside grilled rooster or fish, or get pleasure from it by itself for a light-weight lunch.
Crowd-Pleaser: Even choosy eaters like it—simply ask Diana!

Components

The total printable recipe card with measurements and directions is discovered on the backside of the put up.

Orzo pasta: A small, rice-shaped pasta that’s good for chilly salads. Make certain to rinse it underneath chilly water after cooking to cease the cooking course of and hold it from sticking collectively.
Cucumber: Use English cucumber if you need fewer seeds and thinner pores and skin.
Cherry tomatoes: Halving them helps distribute the flavour all through the salad.
Feta cheese: Crumble it your self for higher texture, or use pre-crumbled for comfort.
Purple onion: In the event you discover uncooked onion too robust, soak it in chilly water for 10 minutes to mellow the flavour.
Contemporary dill: Dried dill doesn’t fairly do it justice, so follow recent when you can.
Contemporary parsley: Flat-leaf (Italian) parsley is your best option right here.

For the Dressing

Additional virgin olive oil: Use an excellent high quality one for the perfect taste.
Lemon juice: Freshly squeezed is all the time price it!
Lemon zest: Use a high-quality zester or microplane to take away simply the yellow a part of the peel—keep away from the bitter white pith beneath.
Dijon mustard: Helps emulsify the dressing and provides a delicate kick.
Garlic: Mince it finely or use a garlic press.
Salt and pepper: Season to style, maintaining in thoughts that feta already provides some saltiness.

How one can Make Lemon Herb Orzo Salad

Step One: Boil the orzo in salted water in line with the package deal directions till it’s al dente. Drain and rinse with chilly water to chill. Put aside.
Step Two: In a small bowl, whisk collectively the dressing components: olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, Dijon mustard, garlic, salt, and pepper.

Collage of making the dressing in a bowl.

Step Three: In a big bowl, mix the cooked orzo, cucumber, tomatoes, crimson onion, feta cheese, dill, and parsley.
Step 4: Pour the dressing over the salad and toss effectively to mix.
Step 5: Chill for 20–half-hour to permit the flavors to develop, or serve instantly.

Collage of mixing ingredients in a bowl.

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What to Serve With It

Grilled rooster: Skewers, thighs, or breasts all pair effectively with the recent, lemony flavors.
Salmon or different grilled fish: A lightweight and wholesome combo that feels restaurant-worthy.
Burgers: Beef, turkey, or veggie burgers—this salad makes a refreshing facet.
Falafel: A superb possibility for a Mediterranean-inspired meal.
Hummus and pita: Add some olives and also you’ve received a tasty mezze platter.
Exhausting-boiled eggs or chickpeas: Flip it right into a filling vegetarian lunch.

Variations and Substitutions

Swap the orzo: No orzo? Strive cooked couscous, quinoa, and even small pasta shapes like ditalini or macaroni.
Use a special cheese: Goat cheese or cubed mozzarella can be utilized as a substitute of feta for a special taste and texture.
Add protein: Toss in grilled rooster, shrimp, or chickpeas to make it extra of a essential dish.
Change up the recent herbs: No dill? Strive recent basil, mint, or a little bit additional parsley.
Add extra veggies: Bell peppers, child spinach, asparagus, or zucchini could be nice additions for additional crunch and coloration.
Make it dairy-free: Merely skip the cheese or use a dairy-free feta various.
Give it a spicy kick: Add a pinch of crimson pepper flakes or a drizzle of sizzling sauce to the dressing for a little bit warmth.

The recipe in a bowl with a wooden spoon.

Storage Directions

Retailer any leftovers in an hermetic container within the fridge for as much as 3 days. Give it an excellent stir earlier than serving, because the dressing might have settled to the underside. If it appears a little bit dry, a fast splash of olive oil or lemon juice will freshen it proper up.

Freezing shouldn’t be beneficial for this salad. Contemporary greens and herbs can lose their texture, and the feta might turn out to be crumbly and watery after thawing. It’s undoubtedly greatest loved recent or inside a number of days of constructing.

The recipe in a bowl with a wooden serving spoon.

Recipe Suggestions and Methods

Salt the pasta water: Identical to any pasta dish, salting the water is vital to giving the orzo taste from the beginning.
Cool the orzo utterly: Rinse it underneath chilly water after cooking to cease it from getting mushy and to maintain the salad crisp.
Use a microplane for testing: It makes it simple to get simply the brilliant outer layer of the lemon with out the bitter white pith.
Chop all the pieces evenly: Uniform items make for a prettier salad and make sure you get a little bit of all the pieces in every chew.
Make it forward: This salad will get even higher after chilling for 20–half-hour, so it’s nice for prepping forward of time.
Style and alter: At all times give it a style earlier than serving. You may want an additional squeeze of recent lemon, a drizzle of olive oil, or a pinch extra salt.
Serve chilly: This salad is greatest loved chilled straight from the fridge, particularly on heat days.

Pasta Salad Recipes

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Lemon Herb Orzo Salad

Created by Stacie Vaughan

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook dinner Time 10 minutes

Whole Time 20 minutes

Vibrant, recent, and filled with taste, this Lemon Herb Orzo Salad is the right summer season facet dish. Straightforward to make and ideally suited for picnics, potlucks, or weekday lunches!

Cook dinner the orzo in salted water in line with package deal directions. Drain and rinse with chilly water to chill. Put aside.
In a small bowl, whisk collectively the dressing components: olive oil, lemon juice, zest, Dijon, garlic, salt, and pepper.
In a big bowl, mix the cooked orzo, cucumber, tomatoes, crimson onion, feta cheese, dill, and parsley.
Pour the dressing over the salad and toss effectively to mix.
Chill for 20–half-hour to permit the flavors to develop, or serve instantly.

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The knowledge proven is an estimate supplied by an internet diet calculator. It shouldn’t be thought of an alternative to an expert nutritionist’s recommendation.

Course Salad

Delicacies American

Key phrase pasta salad

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Straightforward Lemon Herb Orzo Salad Recipe

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Components