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Fresh Greek Orzo Salad with Zesty Lemon Vinaigrette

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A bright and refreshing Greek-inspired orzo salad featuring a zesty lemon vinaigrette, fresh veggies, feta cheese, and kalamata olives. Perfect as a light meal or side dish for summer gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 ½ cups dry orzo pasta (about 280g)
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 medium cucumber, diced
  • ¼ cup red onion, finely chopped
  • ½ cup kalamata olives, pitted and halved
  • ½ cup feta cheese, crumbled
  • ¼ cup fresh parsley, finely chopped
  • ⅓ cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (about 2 lemons)
  • ⅓ cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 1 ½ cups (280g) of orzo and cook until just al dente, about 8-9 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
  2. Drain the orzo in a colander and rinse briefly under cold water to stop cooking and cool it down. Shake off excess water and transfer to a large mixing bowl.
  3. In a small bowl, whisk together ⅓ cup freshly squeezed lemon juice, ⅓ cup extra virgin olive oil, 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard, and 1 minced garlic clove. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Whisk until the dressing is smooth and slightly thickened.
  4. While the orzo is still slightly warm, pour the lemon vinaigrette over it. Toss gently but thoroughly to coat every grain.
  5. Fold in 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes, 1 diced cucumber, ¼ cup finely chopped red onion, ½ cup pitted and halved kalamata olives, and ½ cup crumbled feta cheese.
  6. Sprinkle ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley on top for color and fresh flavor.
  7. Taste the salad and adjust salt and pepper if needed. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld.

Notes

Do not toss the feta cheese too vigorously to keep it intact. For best flavor, prepare the salad a few hours ahead and stir before serving. Use fresh lemon juice for the best brightness. Rinse orzo under cold water only if serving chilled; otherwise, keep it warm to absorb dressing better. Soak red onion briefly in cold water to mellow sharpness if desired.

Nutrition

Keywords: Greek orzo salad, lemon vinaigrette, fresh salad, summer salad, easy salad recipe, vegetarian salad, Mediterranean salad

Find it online: https://wigglebite.com/fresh-greek-orzo-salad-recipe-easy-zesty-lemon-vinaigrette-guide/