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Easy Fresh Mediterranean Orzo Salad with Feta

Mediterranean Orzo Salad - featured image
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A crisp, vibrant Mediterranean orzo salad with tangy lemon dressing, fresh veggies, and crumbly feta, perfect for summer meals and gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup (about 200g) orzo pasta, uncooked
  • 1 medium cucumber, diced
  • 1 cup (about 150g) cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped
  • 1/2 cup Kalamata olives, pitted and halved
  • 3/4 cup crumbled feta cheese (about 100g)
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
  • 2 tbsp fresh mint, chopped (optional)
  • 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • Juice of 1 large lemon (about 3 tbsp)
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 1 cup (200g) of orzo pasta and cook uncovered for 8-10 minutes until al dente. Taste to check; the pasta should be tender but still have a slight bite.
  2. Drain orzo in a fine-mesh strainer and rinse briefly with cold water to stop cooking and cool it down. Set aside to drain well.
  3. While orzo cooks, dice 1 medium cucumber, halve 1 cup (150g) cherry tomatoes, finely chop 1/4 cup red onion, and pit and halve 1/2 cup Kalamata olives. Chop 1/4 cup fresh parsley and 2 tbsp fresh mint if using.
  4. In a small bowl or jar, whisk together 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil, juice from 1 large lemon (about 3 tbsp), 1 minced garlic clove, 1 tsp dried oregano, salt, and pepper to taste.
  5. In a large bowl, combine the cooled orzo, chopped veggies, and herbs. Pour the dressing over and gently toss to coat evenly.
  6. Add 3/4 cup crumbled feta cheese on top and fold it in carefully so you don’t mush the cheese too much.
  7. Let the salad chill in the fridge for at least 30 minutes before serving to let flavors meld.

Notes

Rinse orzo after cooking to stop cooking and prevent sticking. Be gentle when folding in feta to keep chunks intact. Salad can be made ahead and stored refrigerated up to 3 days. Add a splash of olive oil or lemon juice before serving leftovers to freshen. For gluten-free, substitute orzo with gluten-free orzo or quinoa. Vegan option: omit feta or use plant-based cheese alternatives.

Nutrition

Keywords: Mediterranean salad, orzo salad, feta cheese, summer salad, easy salad, lemon dressing, healthy salad, vegetarian

Find it online: https://blingbite.com/easy-fresh-mediterranean-orzo-salad-with-feta-recipe-for-summer-meals/