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!
It’s officially pasta salad season! I love preparing my Italian pasta salad and Lemon orzo pasta salad recipes for summer gatherings, but this Greek Orzo Salad is near and dear to my heart because of my Greek heritage.
I’ve been making this recipe for years, and my nieces have told me that I have to bring it to every family gathering.
They’re never going to get any arguments from me. 🙂
Why you’ll love this recipe:
- This recipe is lighter than most pasta salads, and it’s packed with fresh, zesty Mediterranean flavors.
- Greek orzo salad recipe is extremely easy to make, and it may be prepped a few hours 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
Here’s what you’ll need:
- Orzo pasta
- Cherry tomatoes
- Cucumber
- Bell pepper
- Feta cheese
- Kalamata olives
- Red onion
- Fresh oregano (or dried in a pinch)
- Greek salad dressing (or store bought)
What is orzo?
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.
How to make this recipe
This Greek orzo pasta salad is extremely easy to make, and comes together in under 30 minutes.
Pro tip: Greek orzo salad may be made a few hours in advance, but the orzo will absorb the dressing. Simply toss with enough dressing to coat, then add more just before serving.
Cook the orzo pasta and prep your ingredients
- Cook the orzo according to package instructions, then place in a colander and rinse with cold water. Drain well.
- Chop the vegetables and make the dressing while the orzo cooks and drains. The dressing may be made ahead a few days in advance.
Assemble the salad
- Place the orzo pasta in a large bowl.
- Add the remaining ingredients, and toss with enough dressing to coat.
Recipe notes
- Pro tip: Greek orzo salad may be made a few hours in advance, but the orzo will absorb the dressing. Simply toss with enough dressing to coat, then add more 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.
More Greek recipes you’ll love:
- Avgolemono Soup
- Chicken souvlaki
- Greek Leg of Lamb by Recipe Tin Eats
- Greek Panzanella
- Greek Quinoa Salad
- Horiatiki
- 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 Recipe
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 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 chopped, 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 the orzo will absorb the dressing. Simply toss with enough dressing to coat, then add more 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.
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 love Orzo. This salad sounds delicious!!
It’s really quick to whip up, too!
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! 🙂
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!
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!
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 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 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!