Name: Simple Greek Orzo Salad
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: Greek
Ingredients: 1 1/4 cups uncooked orzo; 1 1/2 cups cherry tomatoes, quartered; 2 Persian cucumbers, diced; 1/4 cup finely chopped red onion; 3/4 cup crumbled feta cheese; 1/3 cup kalamata olives, sliced; 1/3 cup oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes, finely chopped; 1 red pepper, diced; 1/2 cup basil, chopped; 1/2 cup parsley, chopped (or more basil); Optional: A few handfuls of arugula, spinach, or chopped kale; 1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil; Juice of 1 lemon (about 1/4 cup); 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar; 1/2 teaspoon sea salt; Freshly ground black pepper, to taste; 1 teaspoon dried oregano; 1/4 teaspoon hot red pepper flakes; 1 teaspoon dijon mustard; 1 teaspoon honey; 1 garlic clove, minced

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This Simple Greek Orzo Salad is incredible! Made with cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, feta, olives, sun-dried tomatoes, peppers, basil, and a punchy lemon herb vinaigrette, it’s fantastic as a side dish with dinner. Or, enjoy it as a main course with the addition of grilled chicken or salmon or hard boiled eggs!

overhead shot of the salad in a big wooden bowl

Can you believe that we are officially in the last few weeks of summer? Fall is my absolute favourite season, but I am going to miss local summer produce. That’s why I’m doing everything in my power to celebrate it through my recipes before the season ends!

close up overhead shot of a serving of Greek orzo salad

This simple Greek orzo salad is absolutely delicious. It is quite literally bursting with flavour. The secret to a super flavourful salad is the addition of not only olives, but sun-dried tomatoes, along with a super punchy dressing. You know that I am all about my punchy dressings. I’m a big fan of the acidic bite of lemon juice and vinegar. But if you are not a big fan of those flavours, feel free to go a bit lighter on the lemon juice and red wine vinegar. As always, you can adjust recipes to suit your unique tastes!

process shot of all the ingredients in dishes on a light pink backdrop

overhead process shot showing all the salad ingredients in a wooden bowl

why you’ll love this simple orzo salad

It’s:

Easy to prepare
Delicious and flavourful
Chock full of healthy ingredients, including cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, feta, peppers, olives, and basil
Filling and satisfying

ingredients you’ll need for this recipe

Orzo
Cherry tomatoes
Cucumber
Red onion
Feta
Kalamata olives
Sun-dried tomatoes
Red pepper
Basil
Extra-virgin olive oil
Lemon juice
Red wine vinegar
Sea salt and pepper
Dried oregano
Hot red pepper flakes
Dijon mustard
Honey
Garlic

how to make this recipe

Cook the orzo according to the directions on the package. Drain and set aside to cool for a few minutes.

While the orzo cools, make the dressing: Place the dressing ingredients in a jar and shake vigorously to combine.

Once cooled, place the orzo in a large salad bowl. You might have to gently break it apart with your hands if it has cooled for too long. Add the cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, feta, olives, sun-dried tomatoes, red pepper, and basil to the bowl. At this point, you can add a few handfuls of arugula, spinach, or chopped kale, if desired. Add about three quarters of the dressing and toss to coat.

If you like more dressing on your salad, feel free to add the remaining dressing (I did), or drizzle it over individual servings as desired.

an overhead shot of a serving of orzo salad with the big bowl of salad to the upper left

what to serve with Greek orzo salad

I served this salad with barbecue chicken. You can also serve it alongside Greek meatballs (I’ll share a recipe eventually), baked tofu, salmon, or hard boiled eggs.

This salad also packs beautifully, making it a great option for meal prep!

more delicious + healthy salad recipes

I hope that you love this simple Greek orzo salad! If you make it, let me know how you enjoyed it by leaving a comment and rating below the post.

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Enjoy!