5 from 20 votes
Mediterranean Orzo Salad with Shrimp
Mediterranean Orzo Salad with Shrimp features fluffy cooked orzo tossed with lemon zest and juice, sautéed garlic shrimp, kalamata olives, diced bell pepper, red onion, arugula, mint, crumbled feta, and cherry tomatoes. Dressed with olive oil and champagne vinegar, this salad offers bright, fresh, and savory flavors with a mix of tender pasta, juicy shrimp, and crisp vegetables.
Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
15 mins
Total Time
30 mins
Servings:
8
servings
Calories:
286 kcal
Course:
Dinner
Cuisine:
Mediterranean
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups orzo raw
- lemon zest of 1
- 2 Tbsp lemon juice divided
- 2 Tbsp olive oil divided
- 1/2 lb Shrimp raw, 16/20 size
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 cup kalamata olives sliced in half
- 1 cup yellow bell pepper diced
- 1/2 small red onion slivered
- 2 cups arugula baby, rough chopped
- 2 Tbsp mint fresh, minced, substitute basil
- 1/2 cup feta cheese crumbled
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes cut in wedges
- salt fresh cracked
- black pepper fresh cracked
dressing
- 4 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 2 Tbsp champagne vinegar or other mild white vinegar
Instructions
- Cook the orzo in plenty of well salted water according to package instructions. Toss your freshly cooked orzo with the lemon zest, juice, and 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Put into a large salad bowl.
- Toss the shrimp with 1 tablespoon olive oil and the minced garlic. Saute in a skillet until the shrimp curls and turns opaque. This won't take long, so don't over cook! Hit the pan with a squeeze of lemon juice at the end. Add to the bowl with the orzo.
- Whisk together the olive oil and vinegar for the dressing. Note: feel free to make extra dressing if you like your salads on the 'juicy' side.
- Add the olives, bell pepper, onions, arugula, mint, feta cheese, and cherry tomatoes to the bowl with the orzo and shrimp.
- Toss everything with the dressing. Add salt and pepper to taste. Serve immediately, or chill until ready to serve. Note: if you are making this ahead, wait until serving time to add the tomatoes.
Cup of Yum
Nutrition Information
Calories
286kcal
(14%)
Carbohydrates
25g
(8%)
Protein
12g
(24%)
Fat
16g
(25%)
Saturated Fat
3g
(15%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
2g
(12%)
Monounsaturated Fat
10g
(50%)
Trans Fat
1g
(50%)
Cholesterol
54mg
(18%)
Sodium
411mg
(17%)
Potassium
275mg
(6%)
Fiber
2g
(8%)
Sugar
2g
(4%)
Vitamin A
406IU
(8%)
Vitamin C
42mg
(47%)
Calcium
98mg
(10%)
Iron
1mg
(6%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 8 servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 286
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 286kcal | 14% |
| Carbohydrates | 25g | 8% |
| Protein | 12g | 24% |
| Fat | 16g | 25% |
| Saturated Fat | 3g | 15% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2g | 12% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 10g | 50% |
| Trans Fat | 1g | 50% |
| Cholesterol | 54mg | 18% |
| Sodium | 411mg | 17% |
| Potassium | 275mg | 6% |
| Fiber | 2g | 8% |
| Sugar | 2g | 4% |
| Vitamin A | 406IU | 8% |
| Vitamin C | 42mg | 47% |
| Calcium | 98mg | 10% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.