Mediterranean Orzo Salad is a simple vegetarian side dish recipe that's packed with fresh and zesty flavors.
“I have made this recipe a thousand times and I will make it a thousand more. Delicious!”
While I tend to make pasta salad more often in the warmer months, it truly rounds out a dinner plate no matter the season.
Simple, satisfying, and fun to eat, my Mediterranean Orzo Salad is packed with zesty flavor. Pair with any grilled, baked, or sauted protein, and dinner’s done!
Watch How to Make It
Fresh and Easy Orzo Pasta Salad
This simple yet memorable orzo-based side dish recipe is packed with fresh and zippy flavors from tomatoes, kalamata olives, feta cheese, capers, and fresh parsley that comes together with a zingy Lemon Dressing.
It’s great warm or cold and perfect for serving with a dinner, or taking to a cookout, party, or potluck.
Simple yet incredible. Let’s do this!
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Pin ItHow to Make Mediterranean Orzo Salad
Start by cooking gluten free orzo (or regular orzo if you don’t need to eat GF) in salted, boiling water until al dente, then drain and cool slightly.
Orzo is pasta that looks like rice and is so much fun to use in soups and side dishes like this one. I love Dellalo and Jovial brands of gluten free orzo.
While the pasta is cooking, add all the Mediterranean-inspired toppings into a mixing bowl. We’ve got:
- Grape or cherry tomatoes
- Kalamata Olives (Mezzetta brand is GF)
- Capers (Mezzetta brand is GF)
- Crumbled feta cheese
- Chopped parsley
Next, shake up the bright and tangy Lemon Dressing that will dress the orzo salad.
To a mason jar with a tight fitting lid, add fresh lemon juice, garlic, honey, extra virgin olive oil, salt, and pepper then shake to combine.
Lastly, add the slightly cooled orzo to the mixing bowl then drizzle with enough dressing to coat and stir to combine.
You can absolutely eat this orzo salad warm – it’s actually incredibly delicious this way! – but I usually stick it in the fridge for 10-15 minutes to give all the flavors a chance to meld.
That’s all she wrote! This easy pasta salad recipe is not only absolutely gorgeous but absolutely DELICIOUS. I know you’ll just gobble it up. Enjoy!
More Summery Side Dish Recipes
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- Fruit Salad Recipe for a Crowd
- The Best Pasta Salad
- Green Beans with Bacon
- Best Baked Beans EVER
- Sesame Noodle Salad
- Napa Sweet Corn Salad
- Cucumber and Tomato Salad
- Marinated Vegetable Salad
Ingredients
- 6 oz dry gluten free orzo pasta
- 1 cup grape or cherry tomatoes, sliced in half
- 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
- 1/4 cup pitted kalamata olives, sliced
- 1/4 cup chopped parsley
- 2 Tablespoons gluten free capers, drained
For the Lemon Dressing:
- 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1/4 cup lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon honey
- 1 clove garlic, microplaned or finely minced
- salt and pepper
Directions
- Cook orzo according to package directions then drain and set aside to cool slightly.
- Add slightly cooled pasta to a large mixing bowl with tomatoes, olives, feta cheese, parsley, and capers. Drizzle on enough Lemon Dressing to coat then toss to combine. Chill for 10-15 minutes before serving then add additional dressing if desired.
For the Lemon Dressing:
- Combine ingredients in a mason jar with a tight fitting lid then shake to combine. Alternatively, you can add lemon juice, salt, pepper, honey and garlic to a food processor then process while slowly drizzling in olive oil. Can be made up to 5 days ahead of time.
Nutrition
Nutritional values are estimates only. Please read our full nutrition information disclaimer.
Love this but replace parsley with fresh basil!
How many servings does the Mediterranean orzo salad recipe make?
This recipe is delicious!! I love olives and feta, so I added more than what the recipe called for and it was perfect for me. My lemon was a little strong so I used some stevia to level it out. So so good.
How many servings does this recipe yield?
Am making this for a pot luck this week. Any idea on the yield for this recipe? I need to scale it up to at least 20 servings.
Nevermind. I saw this answered in the comments. ?
I love this recipe! It is my go-to for any potluck or summer barbecue. Always a hit!
I’m so glad you love it, Faith! Thank you so much for your feedback and recipe rating!
Where can I buy gluten free orzo
Delallo has a great GF orzo – it’s rare to find in stores where I live, but here’s a link to them online:
Well, here it is 7-20-18, and I just made this salad. I added a little more honey because it was a little too tart for me, but other than that I think it’s delicious. I always test a recipe before I make it for other people. This is definitely a keeper. Thanks for sharing.
Your Mediterranean Orzo salad is great. I used the dressing for a double
recipe and did not add salt to the dressing, With the high sodium level of the feta, olives and capers the extra salt in the dressing was not necessary. I also only used one fresh garlic for a double recipe and it was plenty. I will make this often
I’m so glad to hear it, Vicki!
This orzo salad is amazing! I’ve made it 3 times now and it keeps getting better! I added some peeled chopped cucumber and artichoke hearts – really yummy. This is my new go-to summer salad ? Thanks!!
I’m so glad you loved it, Christina, and I love the add ins too! Thanks so much for your feedback and recipe rating. :)
I am taking to a potluck tomorrow. Should I put it all together the day before or that morning?
how many people does the orzo salad serve?
This is yummy, i made it with gluten free elbow macaroni because i had 6 boxes in the pantry ad added more cheese thanks so good!