Description
A fresh and vibrant Mediterranean Orzo Salad combining tender orzo pasta with juicy tomatoes, crisp cucumbers, tangy feta cheese, and briny Kalamata olives, all tossed in a zesty olive oil and red wine vinegar dressing. Perfect as a light lunch or a side dish for any Mediterranean-inspired meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Salad Ingredients
- 1 cup uncooked orzo
- 1 (10 ounce) package little tomatoes (grape or cherry), cut into halves
- 3-4 mini cucumbers or 1/2 English cucumber, chopped
- 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
- 1/4 cup Kalamata olives, pitted and cut into halves
- 1-2 tablespoons chopped red onion
- 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
Dressing
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1-2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Garnish
- Fresh parsley, optional, to taste
Instructions
- Cook the Orzo: Boil a large pot of salted water. Add the orzo and cook it al dente according to the package directions, about 8-10 minutes. Drain the orzo and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process and cool it down.
- Prepare Vegetables and Cheese: While the orzo is cooking, rinse and chop the tomatoes, cucumbers, olives, and red onion. Crumble the feta cheese and set aside.
- Combine Ingredients: In a large bowl, add the cooled orzo, tomatoes, cucumbers, feta, olives, red onion, and dried oregano. Drizzle with 1 tablespoon of red wine vinegar and the olive oil. Toss everything together to combine thoroughly.
- Season and Garnish: Taste the salad and add more red wine vinegar if desired. Season generously with salt and pepper, tossing again to distribute the flavors. Garnish with fresh parsley if using.
Notes
- Rinsing the cooked orzo with cold water halts cooking and helps cool the pasta for the salad texture.
- Adjust red wine vinegar to your preferred level of tanginess. Start with less and add more as needed.
- Using mini cucumbers or English cucumbers helps avoid excess moisture in the salad.
- This salad tastes best when chilled for at least 30 minutes before serving, allowing flavors to meld.
- For a vegan version, omit feta or substitute with a vegan cheese alternative.
