5 from 12 votes
Greek Toasted Orzo Salad
Greek Toasted Orzo Salad features toasted orzo pasta mixed with fresh vegetables like tomato, red onion, and cucumber, enhanced by olives, feta, and oregano. A creamy lemony mint dressing brings brightness and herbaceous freshness. Toasting the orzo before cooking adds a nutty aroma and depth, combining textures from tender pasta, crisp veggies, and creamy cheese for a refreshing salad suitable chilled or at room temperature.
Prep Time
20 mins
Total Time
20 mins
Servings:
8
Calories:
256 kcal
Course:
Salad
Cuisine:
Mediterranean
Ingredients
orzo salad
- 1 1/2 cups orzo toasted*
- 1 medium tomato diced, ripe
- 1/2 small red onion diced
- 2 mini cucumber diced
- 1/2 cup olive pitted and sliced
- 4 ounces feta cheese diced
- 2 Tbsp oregano small fresh leaves
- black pepper coarse salt; fresh cracked black pepper
- salt coarse salt; fresh cracked black pepper
lemony mint dressing
- 1/3 cup olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic minced. Use 1 garlic clove if you prefer a less pungent flavor.
- 2 Tbsp lemon juice fresh squeezed
- 1 tsp yellow mustard
- 1 tsp honey
- 7-10 leaves mint fresh
- pinch salt coarse
Instructions
- Boil the toasted orzo in plenty of well salted water until just al dente. Orzo size varies, so follow your package instructions. Mine took about 8 minutes. Drain and rinse briefly under cold water. Drain again, really well. You don't want a soggy pasta salad.
- While the past is cooking put the dressing ingredients into a small food processor and process until creamy. Taste to add salt and adjust any of the ingredients to your liking: if it's too tart add more honey or more olive oil.
- Put the drained toasted orzo in a large mixing bowl and toss with some of the dressing. Now add the tomato, onion, cukes, olives and oregano leaves and give a toss with more dressing. Now toss in the feta cheese and add salt and fresh cracked pepper to taste.
- Serve right away or chill until ready to serve.
Cup of Yum
Notes
- To toast orzo, toss it with olive oil and bake at 350°F, stirring occasionally, until lightly golden.
- Adjust dressing ingredients like honey or lemon juice to balance tartness to your preference.
Nutrition Information
Calories
256kcal
(13%)
Carbohydrates
25g
(8%)
Protein
7g
(14%)
Fat
15g
(23%)
Saturated Fat
4g
(20%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
1g
(6%)
Monounsaturated Fat
8g
(40%)
Cholesterol
17mg
(6%)
Sodium
355mg
(15%)
Potassium
133mg
(3%)
Fiber
2g
(8%)
Sugar
2g
(4%)
Vitamin A
243IU
(5%)
Vitamin C
4mg
(4%)
Calcium
108mg
(11%)
Iron
1mg
(6%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 8 Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 256
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 256kcal | 13% |
| Carbohydrates | 25g | 8% |
| Protein | 7g | 14% |
| Fat | 15g | 23% |
| Saturated Fat | 4g | 20% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1g | 6% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 8g | 40% |
| Cholesterol | 17mg | 6% |
| Sodium | 355mg | 15% |
| Potassium | 133mg | 3% |
| Fiber | 2g | 8% |
| Sugar | 2g | 4% |
| Vitamin A | 243IU | 5% |
| Vitamin C | 4mg | 4% |
| Calcium | 108mg | 11% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.