Greek Orzo Salad Recipe
Bring the taste of the Mediterranean to your next barbecue with this Greek Orzo Salad recipe! It’s bursting with Mediterranean flavor, it’s so easy to make, and it gets rave reviews every single time!
Memorial day is on the horizon, which means it’s officially pasta salad season! While I have nothing against traditional pasta, orzo is my favorite because it’s nice and light.
My lemon orzo pasta salad and this Greek orzo salad are perfect examples. They’re both packed with fresh veggies, creamy feta cheese and vibrant flavor.
This recipe for Greek orzo salad has been a family favorite for years because of my Greek heritage. It embodies all of the flavors of classic Greek salad, or horiatiki, but it’s even more satisfying with the orzo.
It’s a summer side dish that’s guaranteed to generate some excitement. 🙂
Table of contents
Why you’ll love this recipe
- This Greek orzo salad recipe is lighter than most pasta salads, and it’s packed with fresh, zesty Mediterranean flavors.
- It’s extremely easy to make, and it may be prepped completely in advance.
- It’s a great side dish for chicken, beef or pork, and also makes a great vegetarian lunch.
- Orzo may be subbed with whole wheat or gluten-free orzo, or your favorite type of pasta.
Recipe ingredients
- Orzo pasta. Use traditional orzo pasta, or you can find whole wheat and gluten-free orzo pasta at many markets or online. The orzo may be substituted with your favorite pasta.
- Veggies. This recipe utilizes the same veggies found in classic Greek salad, which is tomatoes, cucumber, bell pepper and red onion.
- Feta cheese. Adds a tangy flavor and creaminess.
- Kalamata olives. These have a strong, briny flavor that pairs very well with the veggies and feta cheese. They can be substituted with your favorite olives.
- Fresh oregano. The fresh oregano adds a ton of flavor, but it can be subbed with dried oregano.
- Dressing. Use my zesty Greek salad dressing or your favorite store bought variety.
How to make Greek pasta salad with orzo
This Greek pasta salad with orzo comes together very quickly. Simply boil the pasta, prep the dressing and ingredients, and toss it all together!
Pro tip: This recipe may be made in advance, but keep in mind that the orzo will absorb the dressing the longer it stands. Simply toss with enough dressing to coat, then add more dressing just before serving.
See the recipe card below for full instructions.
- Prepare the Greek salad dressing (this can be done several days in advance).
- Cook the orzo according to package instructions, then place in a colander and rinse with cold water. Drain well.
- Place the cooked orzo pasta, veggies, kalamata olives and feta cheese in a large bowl.
- Toss with enough Greek dressing to coat.
Recipe FAQs
Orzo is short-cut pasta that resembles rice. It is made with either white or whole wheat flour, and there are even gluten-free varieties on the market.
Absolutely! Other small pasta shapes such as shells, elbow or pastina are great substitutes, or simply use what you have on hand.
This recipe for Greek orzo salad can be changed up a number of ways based on what is available to you or your personal preferences. Grilled vegetables such as zucchini and eggplant are great choices, and you can also use sun dried tomatoes or roasted red peppers to change things up.
Store leftover orzo Greek salad in the refrigerator in an air tight container for up to 3 days.
Serving suggestions
This Greek orzo pasta salad is extremely versatile. Below are some of my favorite ways to serve it.
- Serve with Greek chicken souvlaki or air fryer chicken breast. It’s also wonderful alongside grilled tomahawk steak or grilled burgers.
- It makes a great meal prep lunch or vegetarian main. Add white beans or chickpeas to make it even more satisfying.
Recipe notes
- Pro tip: This recipe may be made in advance, but keep in mind that the orzo will absorb the dressing the longer it stands. Simply toss with enough dressing to coat, then add more dressing just before serving.
- Orzo may be substituted with your favorite gluten-free or regular pasta.
- Store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- The homemade Greek dressing may be subbed with lemon vinaigrette or your favorite store bought dressing.
More Greek recipes you’ll love:
- Avgolemono Soup
- Greek Leg of Lamb by Recipe Tin Eats
- Greek Quinoa Salad
- Greek tzatziki
Did you try this recipe? If so, be sure to leave a review below and tag me @flavorthemoments on Facebook and Instagram
Greek Orzo Salad
Ingredients
- 1 cup dry orzo pasta
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes halved
- 1 cucumber chopped
- 1 yellow bell pepper chopped
- 1 cup crumbled feta cheese
- 1/2 cup Kalamata olives coarsely chopped
- 1/2 small red onion thinly sliced and cut into bite-sized pieces
- 3 tablespoons freshly chopped oregano or 1 1/2 teaspoons dried
- Greek Salad Dressing or sub with your favorite dressing
Instructions
- Cook the orzo according to package directions. Place in a colander and rinse under cold water and drain well.1 cup dry orzo pasta
- Place the orzo in a large bowl. Add the cherry tomatoes, cucumber, bell pepper, feta cheese, kalamata olives, red onion and chopped oregano, then toss with the desired amount of Greek dressing until well coated. Serve and enjoy!1 pint cherry tomatoes, 1 cucumber, 1 yellow bell pepper, 1 cup crumbled feta cheese, 1/2 cup Kalamata olives, 1/2 small red onion, 3 tablespoons freshly chopped oregano, Greek Salad Dressing
Notes
- Pro tip: Greek orzo salad may be made a few hours in advance, but keep in mind that the orzo will absorb the dressing the longer it stands. Simply toss with enough dressing to coat, then add more dressing just before serving.
- Orzo may be substituted with your favorite gluten-free or regular pasta.
- The homemade Greek dressing may be subbed with lemon vinaigrette or your favorite store bought dressing.
- Store in an air tight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Nutrition
Nutrition is estimated using a food database and is only intended to be used as a guideline for informational purposes.
**This recipe was originally published in February 2013. The text is more informative, and I’ve included step by step instructions and photos.
14 Comments on “Greek Orzo Salad Recipe”
I loveeee making orzo pasta salads! They’re easy, yummy, and great to bring to gatherings. Looks delicious!
They are super easy and always a hit. Thanks Nicole!
I love Greek flavors and I LOVE orzo in my salad! This is perfect. I might make it and take it along camping this weekend!
Orzo is so special isn’t it? Have fun camping!
I usually make an orzo salad to take to summer BBQs and potlucks, so I’ll have to keep this one in mind. Love the Greek flavours!
Thanks Leanne, and this is perfect for summer gatherings!
I absolutely love orzo – it is something I need to use more! The flavours in this are just gorgeous.. there is nothing I do not LOVE. So good!
Thank you so much Alexandra!
Ohh, I am honestly drooling over these photos and the list of ingredients, Marcie! The combo of veggies, orzo, feta cheese and olives just sounds too good! I have bookmarked this and definitely will make it soon – I know my whole family would just absolutely demolish this. Happy Thursday, lovely!
You’re so sweet — I truly appreciate the kind words!
As a Greek thank you for the OPA and everything you said about our Easter………
Also Thank you a lot for your realy delicious receipes………
Thank you for stopping by Eliza and I hope you enjoy the recipes! 🙂
I love Orzo. This salad sounds delicious!!
It’s really quick to whip up, too!