Posted Jul 11, 2022, Updated May 12, 2024 It’s no secret that Mediterranean cuisine is my all time favorite. From homemade hummus to pita bread and of course, this Greek Orzo Salad, I could eat mediterranean fare every single day. This mediterranean orzo salad recipe is fresh and light and bursting with flavor. Orzo pasta, tomatoes, chickpeas, veggies and fresh herbs are tossed in a delicious homemade dressing for healthy, flavorful side dish. This Greek orzo salad is a great dish for a pot luck or barbecue, and to serve alongside our favorite dishes like Greek meatballs, hummus chicken, homemade tzatziki, Greek chicken marinade, etc.
Greek Orzo Salad Recipe: Ingredients & Substitutions
Orzo. I have used whole wheat orzo with great results. Or, try this Greek pasta salad. Cucumber. I suggest using peeled cucumbers! You can remove the seeds to reduce water content as well. Red Onion. any onion variety works well in this recipe. I’d suggest a sweet white or yellow onion in place of the red if desired. Cherry Tomatoes. You can substitute any tomato variety including heirloom, Roma, etc. Chickpeas. You can use a different bean, if you’d like, or omit the chickpeas. Chickpeas are definitely my favorite choice. You can even roast them and use this crispy roasted chickpea recipe. Fresh Dill. Freeze-dried dill works well too. Kalamata Olives. You can substitute your favorite olive variety, but kalamatas give the most authentic Greek flavor. Feta Cheese. Goat cheese, parmesan cheese, etc. are good substitutes for feta. Olive oil. Avocado oil is a great substitute if you don’t have olive oil. Red wine vinegar. white wine vinegar and balsamic vinegar are great substitutes. Dijon mustard. Any mustard variety can be used in place of Dijon. Dried oregano. fresh oregano or your favorite Greek spice blend both work well in this recipe.
How to Make Greek Orzo Salad
This Greek orzo salad recipe is easy to make! We’ll walk through the process step-by-step, and don’t forget to watch the video.
Cook the orzo
The first step in making this Greek orzo salad is cooking the orzo. You can do this up to the day before and store it in the refrigerator so you can quickly make the salad on the day you’d like to serve it. I often cook it in the morning and let it cool until I’m ready to make the salad later in the day. Begin by cooking the orzo in salted water according to the package instructions – which usually takes about 25 minutes. When the orzo is finished cooking, drain and do not rinse. While the orzo is cooking, make the dressing by whisking together the ingredients in a small bowl. Alternatively, you can add them in a glass jar and shake to combine. Next, transfer the cooked orzo to a large bowl, add half the dressing and stir to combine. Cover and chill in the refrigerator until it cools down to at least room temperature. You can stir it occasionally to help it cool faster.
Assemble the Greek Orzo Salad
Once the orzo has cooled, add the cucumber, onion, tomatoes, chickpeas, fresh dill, olives, feta cheese (save 1-2 tablespoons for the top), salt, pepper and the rest of the dressing. Then, stir to combine the Greek orzo salad ingredients, cover and chill for at least 1 hour.
Serve
Garnish with extra feta, fresh dill, olives, etc and serve cold and serve with your favorite Mediterranean Recipes. Here are some suggestions of dishes that pair well with this Greek orzo salad:
Greek meatballs, grilled Greek Chicken and homemade tzatziki pair well with this recipe. Serve it alongside baked hummus chicken (made with homemade hummus, of course) or lemon chicken kabobs. Homemade pita bread or this naan recipe both are great served with this recipe.
Store
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. I don’t recommend freezing this recipe. If you make and love our recipes, it would mean so much to me if you would leave a comment and rating! And don’t forget to follow along with us on Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook, and Youtube – be sure to tag @joyfoodsunshine and use the hashtag #joyfoodsunshine so we can see your creations!
