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Home » Course » Salad » Lemon Orzo Salad with Feta

Published: Mar 27, 2021 · Modified: Feb 2, 2023 by Veronika's Kitchen * This post may contain affiliate links

Lemon Orzo Salad with Feta

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

Make this amazing Orzo Pasta Salad, loaded with cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, orzo, feta cheese, and homemade lemon vinaigrette. This easy pasta salad recipe will be great for a meal prep, side dish, or a Summer picnic meal!

Salad with orzo, cucumbers, cherry tomatoes in a large bowl.

I love making easy and delicious salads that are packed with vegetables and protein, like this delicious Orzo Pasta Salad. It’s healthy, nutritious, and loaded with lots of good flavors (crunchy cucumbers, sweet cherry tomatoes, salty feta cheese, hearty orzo, and homemade lemon vinaigrette).

The recipe is very versatile and can be served in many ways (as a side dish, main dish for lunch, good for meal prep or a BBQ Summer party). Plus, feel free to play around with flavors and add more of your favorite ingredients.

Table of contents

  • What is orzo?
  • How to cook orzo
  • How to make Vinaigrette
  • How to make the salad
  • Tips for Best Results
  • What else can I add to the salad?
  • Frequently Asked Questions
    • More Salad Ideas:
Salad with orzo, cucumbers, cherry tomatoes in a large bowl.

What is orzo?

  • Orzo is a type of pasta that looks like rice, but slightly bigger in size.
  • It’s typically made from semolina flour.
  • Perfectly pairs with most vegetables and meat (especially with chicken).
  • Can be served warm or cold.

How to cook orzo

It’s cooked very similar to pasta. Boil some water in a saucepan or a pot, season with salt, then add dried orzo. It’s crucial not to overcook it! The trick is to cook until almost cooked, about 8 minutes or until al dente. Then drain the liquid and add a teaspoon of extra virgin olive oil and mix in, so it doesn’t stick to itself.

Prepped ingredients for orzo salad in separate bowls.

How to make Vinaigrette

In a bowl, mix all the dressing ingredients (⅓ cup extra-virgin olive oil, ¼ cup lemon juice, 1 tbsp red wine vinegar, 1 tsp Dijon mustard, ½ tsp maple syrup, ¼ tsp garlic powder, ½ tsp dried oregano, salt and pepper to taste). Whisk everything and set aside. You can also make it 1-2 days before and keep it in the fridge.

mixing vinaigrette in a small mixing bowl.

How to make the salad

When the cooked orzo has cooled off, add to a large bowl. Add 2 cups diced cucumbers, 1 ½ cups halved cherry tomatoes, 1 cup drained and rinsed chickpeas, ¼ cup finely chopped red onion, ⅓ cup crumbled feta cheese, and ¼ cup chopped parsley.

Pour in the homemade red wine vinaigrette and toss everything.

Pouring vinaigrette into the salad.

Tips for Best Results

  • Make sure you don’t overcook the pasta. It should be al dente when you drain, and it will continue to “cook” while it’s cooling off.
  • I prefer to use English cucumbers, as they have more crunch and flavor, but you can use any cucumbers you have on hand.
  • You can play around with flavors and use my Lemon Salad Dressing or Citrus Vinaigrette.

What else can I add to the salad?

You really can add pretty much anything you want. Here are a few of my favorite add-ins:

  • Arugula
  • Kalamata Olives
  • Red Bell Pepper
  • Radishes
  • Basil
  • Grilled or Rotisserie Chicken
  • Grilled Shrimp
Salad with orzo, cucumbers, cherry tomatoes in a large bowl.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it keep?

If you have any leftovers, you can transfer them to an air-tight container and refrigerate for up to 3-4 days.

Can I make it in advance?

Yes! I like making it 1 day before serving. The orzo absorbs more liquid and gets more flavor.

Salad with orzo, cucumbers, cherry tomatoes in a large bowl.

More Salad Ideas:

  • Chicken Cobb Salad
  • Farro Salad Recipe
  • Potato Salad with Bacon and Egg
  • BLT Pasta Salad
  • Roasted Beet Salad
  • Sweet Potato Quinoa Salad
Salad with orzo, cucumbers, cherry tomatoes in a large bowl.
Print Recipe
5 from 7 votes

Lemon Orzo Salad with Feta

Make this amazing Orzo Pasta Salad, loaded with cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, orzo, feta cheese, and homemade lemon vinaigrette. This easy pasta salad recipe will be great for a meal prep, side dish, or a Summer picnic meal!
Prep Time10 mins
Cook Time10 mins
Total Time20 mins
Course: Dinner, lunch, Salad, Side Dish
Cuisine: American, Mediterranean
Servings: 6 people
Calories: 334kcal
Author: Veronika’s Kitchen

Ingredients

Ingredients for Salad:

  • 8 oz dried orzo
  • 2 cups cucumbers diced
  • 1 ½ cups cherry tomatoes halved
  • 1 cup chickpeas drained and rinsed
  • ¼ cup red onion finely chopped
  • ⅓ cup feta cheese crumbled
  • ¼ cup parsley chopped

Ingredients for Dressing:

  • ⅓ cup extra-virgin olive oil
  • ¼ cup lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • ½ teaspoon maple syrup
  • ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon dried oregano
  • salt, pepper to taste

Instructions

How to cook orzo

  • Boil some water in a saucepan or a pot, season with salt, then add 8 oz dried orzo. It’s crucial not to overcook it! The trick is to cook until almost cooked, about 8 minutes or until al dente. Then drain the liquid and add a teaspoon of extra-virgin olive oil and mix in, so it doesn’t stick to itself.

How to make Red Wine Vinaigrette

  • In a bowl, mix all the dressing ingredients (⅓ cup extra-virgin olive oil, ¼ cup lemon juice, 1 tbsp red wine vinegar, 1 tsp Dijon mustard, ½ tsp maple syrup, ¼ tsp garlic powder, ½ tsp dried oregano, salt and pepper to taste). Whisk everything and set aside. You can also make it 1-2 days before and keep it in the fridge.

How to make the salad

  • When the cooked orzo has cooled off, add to a large bowl. Add 2 cups diced cucumbers, 1 ½ cups halved cherry tomatoes, 1 cup drained and rinsed chickpeas, ¼ cup finely chopped red onion, ⅓ cup crumbled feta cheese, and ¼ cup chopped parsley.
  • Pour in the homemade red wine vinaigrette and toss everything.

Notes

  • Make sure you don’t overcook the pasta. It should be al dente when you drain, and it will continue to “cook” while it’s cooling off.
  • I prefer to use English cucumbers, as they have more crunch and flavor, but you can use any cucumbers you have on hand.
  • If you have any leftovers, you can transfer them to an air-tight container and refrigerate for up to 3-4 days.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 334kcal | Carbohydrates: 41g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 7mg | Sodium: 114mg | Potassium: 352mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 471IU | Vitamin C: 18mg | Calcium: 82mg | Iron: 2mg
Did you make this recipe?I’d love to know how it turned out! Please let me know by leaving a review below. Or snap a photo and share it on Instagram; be sure to tag me @veronikaskitchen.

More Salad Recipes

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    Chicken Macaroni Salad
  • Diced chicken, eggs, avocado, chrry tomatoes, lettuce, and feta cheese in a bowl.
    Chicken Cobb Salad
  • Olivie salad in a white bowl with a wooden spoon.
    Olivie Salad
  • Butternut Squash Quinoa Salad in a white bowl.
    Butternut Squash Quinoa Salad

Reader Interactions

Comments

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    Recipe Rating




  1. Kathryn says

    April 04, 2021 at 12:35 pm

    This looks like a great salad for any time of year. Will be especially good for BBQs this summer.

    Reply
  2. Elaine says

    April 04, 2021 at 12:00 pm

    5 stars
    Fantastic salad to celebrate spring-to-summer transition with – adding it to my new favorite salads list! 😉

    Reply
  3. Beth says

    April 03, 2021 at 10:18 pm

    5 stars
    What a gorgeous salad and simple, yet flavorful dressing. I’d definitely add the olives and I agree with you about how good the English cucumbers would be in this dish.

    Reply
  4. Jenny says

    April 01, 2021 at 10:34 am

    5 stars
    This salad has all the flavors I love in it. It looks great and tastes fantastic. Will make it again. Thanks so much!

    Reply
  5. Veronika Sykorova says

    March 31, 2021 at 12:16 pm

    5 stars
    Orzo is such a great pasta shape, it’s so versatile! I love it in salads and this one was super delicious. It’s definitely gonna become a staple at our house for meal prep.

    Reply
  6. FOODHEAL says

    March 30, 2021 at 3:25 pm

    This salad is announcing summer! I am sure we will love it over here.

    Reply
  7. Sharon says

    March 30, 2021 at 1:53 pm

    5 stars
    This orzo salad is a wonderful side dish for grilled chicken or fish. It’s great for leftovers the next day too!

    Reply
  8. Allyssa says

    March 30, 2021 at 9:07 am

    5 stars
    Thanks a lot for this salad recipe! It looks amazing! will surely try this!

    Reply
  9. Farrukh Aziz says

    March 30, 2021 at 8:57 am

    5 stars
    Just the right salad to pair up with some grilled shrimp! This salad looks so mouth-watering, I need to make this right now!

    Reply

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