Go Back
- 1 cup orzo pasta - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved - 1 cucumber, diced - 1/2 red onion, finely chopped - 1/2 cup feta cheese, crumbled - 1/4 cup Kalamata olives, pitted and sliced - 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped - Zest and juice of 1 lemon - 3 tablespoons olive oil - 1 teaspoon honey - Salt and pepper to taste Gather these ingredients before you start. Each one adds a unique flavor to the salad. The orzo gives it a nice base, while the feta adds creaminess. Cherry tomatoes and cucumbers bring freshness. The olives and red onion add a nice bite. You can swap orzo with quinoa for a gluten-free option. Try using goat cheese instead of feta for a different taste. If you don’t have Kalamata olives, green olives work well. Fresh herbs like basil can replace parsley. Use lime juice if you’re out of lemons. Each serving has about 250 calories. You get 8 grams of protein and 12 grams of fat. The salad also offers good vitamins from the veggies. It’s a balanced meal that is both light and filling. Pair it with grilled chicken for extra protein. {{ingredient_image_1}} Start by boiling water in a large pot. Add a pinch of salt to the water. Once it boils, add 1 cup of orzo pasta. Cook the pasta according to the package instructions, usually about 8-10 minutes. Stir the pasta occasionally to prevent it from sticking. When it's done, drain the orzo in a colander. Rinse it under cold water to cool it down. This step helps keep the pasta firm and fresh. In a big mixing bowl, combine the cooled orzo with other fresh ingredients. Add 1 cup of halved cherry tomatoes, 1 diced cucumber, and 1/2 finely chopped red onion. Crumble in 1/2 cup of feta cheese for that rich flavor. Toss in 1/4 cup of sliced Kalamata olives and 1/4 cup of chopped fresh parsley. Mix everything gently to combine all the flavors well. This salad is colorful and packed with nutrients. Take a small bowl and whisk together the dressing. Start with the zest and juice of 1 lemon. Add 3 tablespoons of olive oil for richness. Mix in 1 teaspoon of honey to balance the tartness. Finally, season with salt and pepper to taste. Whisk until the dressing is smooth and well blended. Pour the dressing over the salad mixture. Toss everything together gently until all the ingredients are coated. Let the salad sit for about 10-15 minutes before serving. This wait allows the flavors to blend nicely. To boost the taste of your Lemon Feta Orzo Salad, use fresh ingredients. Fresh herbs, like parsley, add a lot of flavor. You can also add more lemon juice or zest for a bright kick. Try mixing in some garlic for depth. If you like heat, add a pinch of red pepper flakes. This salad is all about balance, so taste as you go. Chilling your salad is key for great flavor. After mixing, cover the bowl and put it in the fridge. Let it chill for about 30 minutes. This helps all the flavors blend well. If you need to chill it faster, use a shallow dish. This will cool it down quickly. Just remember to toss it again before serving. Lemon Feta Orzo Salad is great on its own, but it pairs well with many dishes. Serve it with grilled chicken or fish for a full meal. You can also serve it alongside roasted veggies for a tasty side. If you want to impress guests, add it to a buffet. It looks colorful and fresh on any table. Pro Tips Use Fresh Ingredients: Fresh vegetables and herbs will elevate the flavor of your salad, making it taste vibrant and delicious. Chill Before Serving: Allowing the salad to sit for 10-15 minutes not only melds the flavors but also makes it refreshing when served cold. Customize Your Olives: Feel free to swap out Kalamata olives for green olives or any other variety you prefer for a different flavor profile. Make It Ahead: This salad can be made a few hours in advance, allowing the flavors to develop even further and making it perfect for meal prep. {{image_2}} You can make this salad heartier by adding protein. Grilled chicken is a great choice. It pairs nicely with the lemon and feta. Simply slice cooked chicken and mix it in. Shrimp also works well. Just sauté shrimp until pink and toss them in. For a quick option, use rotisserie chicken. This adds flavor without much work. To make this salad vegan, simply replace the feta cheese. Use a plant-based feta instead. You can also add chickpeas for protein. They give a nice texture and flavor. Swap honey for maple syrup to keep it sweet. This way, the salad remains fresh and tasty while being vegan-friendly. Changing ingredients with the seasons can keep this salad exciting. In summer, add sweet corn or diced bell peppers. In fall, try roasted butternut squash for a warm touch. You can also use fresh herbs like basil or mint in spring. These swaps add variety and keep your taste buds happy. To keep your Lemon Feta Orzo Salad fresh, store it in an airtight container. This helps prevent the salad from drying out or absorbing other smells in the fridge. If you have leftovers, make sure to separate the dressing from the salad. This keeps the salad crisp. You can add the dressing just before serving. When stored properly, this salad lasts about 3 to 5 days in the fridge. However, the texture may change as time goes on. The vegetables can become soft, and the feta may lose some flavor. If you see any signs of spoilage, it’s best to throw it out. Always trust your senses! Freezing is not the best option for this salad. The orzo and veggies may become mushy when thawed. However, if you want to freeze it, do so without the dressing. Store it in a freezer-safe bag or container for up to 2 months. When ready to eat, thaw it in the fridge overnight. Add fresh dressing before serving to revive its taste. Orzo is a small, rice-shaped pasta. It cooks quickly and has a nice texture. You can use orzo in salads, soups, and casseroles. In this salad, it adds a hearty base. The orzo absorbs the flavors of the lemon and feta well, making every bite tasty. Yes, you can make this salad ahead of time. It tastes great after sitting in the fridge for a few hours. If you plan to serve it later, mix the salad ingredients but keep the dressing separate. This way, the salad stays fresh and crisp. Just add the dressing before you serve it. To make this salad gluten-free, swap the orzo with gluten-free pasta. Many brands offer gluten-free orzo made from rice or corn. Cook it just like regular orzo. The rest of the ingredients stay the same. You will still enjoy all the flavors without gluten. This blog post covers everything about Lemon Feta Orzo Salad. We looked at the ingredients, substitutions, and nutritional value. I shared step-by-step cooking instructions and tips to enhance flavors. We explored variations to fit your taste and needs. Finally, I provided storage info and answered common questions. Making this salad is simple and flexible. With your new skills, you can impress friends and family. Enjoy creating delicious meals that everyone will love!

Lemon Feta Orzo Salad

A refreshing salad featuring orzo pasta, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, feta cheese, and a zesty lemon dressing.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Salad
Cuisine Mediterranean
Servings 4
Calories 250 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup orzo pasta
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 whole cucumber, diced
  • 0.5 cup red onion, finely chopped
  • 0.5 cup feta cheese, crumbled
  • 0.25 cup Kalamata olives, pitted and sliced
  • 0.25 cup fresh parsley, chopped
  • 1 whole lemon, zest and juice
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon honey
  • to taste salt and pepper

Instructions
 

  • Begin by cooking the orzo pasta according to the package instructions. Once cooked, drain and rinse under cold water to cool.
  • In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled orzo pasta, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, feta cheese, Kalamata olives, and fresh parsley.
  • In a separate small bowl, whisk together the lemon zest, lemon juice, olive oil, honey, salt, and pepper until well combined.
  • Pour the dressing over the salad mixture and gently toss everything together until all the ingredients are evenly coated.
  • Taste and adjust the seasoning with additional salt, pepper, or lemon juice as needed.
  • Let the salad sit for about 10-15 minutes to allow the flavors to meld before serving.

Notes

Let the salad sit for a few minutes to enhance the flavors.
Keyword feta, lemon, Mediterranean, orzo, salad