Orzo Lemon Salad Recipe
This refreshing Orzo Lemon Salad is a vibrant and healthy dish featuring tender orzo pasta tossed with crisp red bell pepper, celery, and red onion. Enhanced with crumbly feta cheese, fresh parsley, and a zesty lemon dressing, it makes a perfect light lunch or side dish for any meal. The salad can be served immediately or chilled for a more melded flavor experience.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 7 minutes
- Total Time: 17 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Salad Ingredients
- 2 cups uncooked orzo
- 1 red bell pepper, chopped
- 2 stalks celery, diced
- 1 small red onion, diced
- ¼ cup feta cheese, crumbled
- ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped
Dressing
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- Juice and zest of 1 lemon
- Sea salt, to taste
- Cracked black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Cook the orzo: Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the orzo and cook according to package instructions until al dente, typically around 7 minutes. Drain well.
- Cool the pasta: Rinse the drained orzo under cold running water until it’s cool to the touch. Shake off excess water thoroughly to prevent a watery salad.
- Prepare the vegetables and herbs: While the pasta cooks, chop the red bell pepper, dice the celery and red onion, and roughly chop the fresh parsley. Zest the lemon and then juice it.
- Combine ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, toss the cooled orzo with the chopped vegetables, feta cheese, and parsley. Drizzle the extra virgin olive oil alongside the lemon juice and zest over the mixture.
- Season and toss: Season with sea salt and cracked black pepper to taste, starting with a small amount and adjusting after tasting. Gently toss all ingredients until everything is evenly coated with the dressing.
- Serve or chill: Serve the salad immediately at room temperature or refrigerate for 30–60 minutes to allow flavors to meld. If chilled, give it a quick stir before serving and add a small drizzle of olive oil if it firms up or the oil solidifies.
Notes
- For best texture, avoid overcooking the orzo to prevent it from becoming mushy.
- Allowing the salad to chill enhances the flavors and makes it more refreshing.
- You can substitute feta cheese with a vegan alternative to make it dairy-free.
- Add additional vegetables like cucumbers or cherry tomatoes for extra crunch.
- Adjust seasoning according to your preference, especially salt and pepper levels.
Keywords: Orzo salad, Lemon salad, Mediterranean salad, Pasta salad, Healthy salad, Vegetarian salad, Easy lunch recipe
Find it online: https://flavorsbymaya.com/orzo-lemon-salad-recipe/
