5.0 from 18 votes
Greek Toasted Orzo Salad
My Greek inspired toasted orzo salad has a chewy texture and a nutty flavor, this Mediterranean pasta salad is a summer hero!
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 ripe tomato diced
- 1/2 small red onion diced
- 2 mini cucumbers diced
- 1/2 cup olives pitted and sliced
- 4 ounces feta cheese diced
- 2 Tbsp small fresh oregano leaves
- coarse salt and 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 fresh squeezed lemon juice
- 1 tsp yellow mustard
- 1 tsp honey
- 7-10 leaves fresh mint
- pinch coarse salt
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 1 1/2 cups orzo with 1 teaspoon of olive oil. Toss thoroughly to get all the grains lightly coated in oil. Spread out in a single layer on a baking sheet and toast in a preheated 350F oven for about 1o-15 minutes, stirring to rearrange every 5 minutes or so.
Nutrition Information
Calories
256kcal
(13%)
Carbohydrates
25g
(8%)
Protein
7g
(14%)
Fat
15g
(23%)
Saturated Fat
4g
(20%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
1g
Monounsaturated Fat
8g
Cholesterol
17mg
(6%)
Sodium
355mg
(15%)
Potassium
133mg
(4%)
Fiber
2g
(8%)
Sugar
2g
(4%)
Vitamin A
243IU
(5%)
Vitamin C
4mg
(4%)
Calcium
108mg
(11%)
Iron
1mg
(6%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 8Serving
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.