Description
Mediterranean-inspired lemon orzo salad sparkles with zesty citrus and fresh herbs. Crisp vegetables and tangy feta cheese create a refreshing dish you’ll crave all summer long.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1.5 cups (360 milliliters) orzo, uncooked
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) cherry tomatoes, halved (or quartered if large)
- ½ English cucumber, sliced and quartered
- ½ cup (120 milliliters) pitted Kalamata olives, halved
Fresh Herbs and Seasonings:
- ¼ cup (60 milliliters) fresh parsley, minced
- 2 tablespoons fresh basil, minced
- 2 tablespoons fresh mint, minced
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Zest and juice of 1 lemon
Dressing and Garnish:
- 2 tablespoons high-quality olive oil
- Parmesan cheese shavings, for garnish
Instructions
- Fill a spacious pot with water, generously season with salt, and bring to a rolling boil.
- Carefully pour orzo into the bubbling water, cooking until tender yet firm, precisely following package guidelines.
- Drain pasta thoroughly and rinse under cold cascading water to halt cooking process, then transfer to a generously sized mixing vessel.
- While pasta cooks, meticulously slice cucumber into delicate quarters, halve cherry tomatoes and olives with precision.
- Finely chop fresh parsley, basil, and mint, releasing their vibrant aromatic oils.
- Combine cooled orzo with prepared vegetables and fragrant herbs in the mixing bowl.
- Drizzle extra virgin olive oil over the mixture, zesting lemon to infuse bright citrus notes.
- Squeeze fresh lemon juice directly into the salad, allowing its tangy essence to permeate the ingredients.
- Season with salt and freshly cracked black pepper, gently tossing to ensure every morsel is evenly coated.
- For an elegant finishing touch, sprinkle delicate shavings of Parmesan cheese across the surface.
- Serve immediately to capture the salad’s peak freshness and vibrant flavors.
Notes
- Versatile dish perfect for summer gatherings, picnics, and potlucks with bright Mediterranean flavors.
- Prep ingredients while orzo cooks to save time and ensure everything stays fresh and crisp.
- Rinse orzo with cold water to stop cooking process and prevent clumping, creating a light, separate texture.
- Fresh herbs are key to delivering vibrant, zesty flavor profile that makes this salad incredibly refreshing.
- Serve chilled or at room temperature for maximum flexibility as a side dish or light main course.
- Easily customizable by swapping herbs or adding protein like grilled chicken or chickpeas for extra substance.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 180 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg