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Fresh Mediterranean Orzo Salad with Feta and Olives

Mediterranean Orzo Salad - featured image
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A bright, tangy Mediterranean salad featuring tender orzo pasta, briny kalamata olives, creamy feta, fresh herbs, and a lemony dressing. Perfect for summer gatherings, potlucks, or a light lunch.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 ½ cups (270g) orzo pasta
  • ¾ cup (120g) kalamata olives, pitted and halved
  • 1 cup (150g) feta cheese, crumbled
  • 1 medium cucumber, diced
  • 1 cup (150g) cherry tomatoes, halved
  • ¼ cup (40g) red onion, finely chopped
  • ⅓ cup (10g) fresh parsley, chopped
  • 2 tbsp (6g) fresh mint, chopped (optional)
  • ¼ cup (60ml) extra virgin olive oil
  • 3 tbsp (45ml) fresh lemon juice
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 1 ½ cups (270g) of orzo and cook for 8–10 minutes until al dente, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
  2. Drain the orzo in a colander and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process and cool the pasta. Drain thoroughly and transfer to a large mixing bowl.
  3. In a small bowl, whisk together ¼ cup (60ml) extra virgin olive oil, 3 tablespoons (45ml) fresh lemon juice, 1 minced garlic clove, 1 teaspoon dried oregano, and salt and pepper to taste until emulsified.
  4. Dice 1 medium cucumber, halve 1 cup (150g) cherry tomatoes, finely chop ¼ cup (40g) red onion, roughly chop ⅓ cup (10g) fresh parsley and 2 tablespoons (6g) fresh mint if using. Halve ¾ cup (120g) pitted kalamata olives.
  5. Add the chopped vegetables, olives, and crumbled feta (1 cup / 150g) to the cooled orzo. Pour the dressing over and toss gently but thoroughly to combine, being careful not to mash the feta.
  6. Taste and adjust seasoning with more salt, pepper, or lemon juice if needed. Let the salad sit for 10–15 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld.

Notes

Do not overcook the orzo to avoid mushy texture. Rinse orzo with cold water after cooking to stop cooking and prevent sticking. Use fresh lemon juice for best flavor. Toss salad gently to keep feta from crumbling too much. The salad tastes better after sitting for a few hours or overnight. For dairy-free, replace feta with plant-based cheese or omit. For gluten-free, use gluten-free orzo or small rice-shaped pasta.

Nutrition

Keywords: Mediterranean salad, orzo salad, feta cheese, kalamata olives, summer salad, easy salad recipe, healthy salad

Find it online: https://tastypierecipes.com/fresh-mediterranean-orzo-salad-with-feta-and-olives-easy-recipe-for-summer/