Greek Orzo Pasta Salad
This Greek Orzo Pasta Salad is a favorite at cookouts, family dinners, and summer gatherings. Loaded with crisp vegetables, tangy feta, and a bright homemade dressing, it’s packed with fresh Mediterranean flavors in every bite. Whether you’re looking for an easy pasta salad to serve alongside grilled chicken or a light lunch to enjoy throughout the week, this recipe is always a great choice. The combination of tender orzo pasta, juicy tomatoes, crunchy cucumbers, and salty olives creates a colorful salad that’s as delicious as it is simple to make.
You can, but the homemade Greek salad dressing gives this Greek orzo salad recipe the freshest flavor.
Grilled chicken
Grilled steak
Lemon garlic shrimp
Burgers
Gyros
Kabobs
Pita bread and hummus
Ingredient Notes
- Red Onion: Adds a mild bite that softens after soaking in cold water.
- Orzo Pasta: This small pasta cooks quickly and gives the salad its signature texture. Be sure to cook it al dente according to the package directions.
- Red Bell Pepper: Adds crunch, sweetness, and vibrant color.
- Cucumber: Fresh, crisp cucumber adds coolness to every bite. An English cucumber works especially well because it has fewer seeds.
- Cherry Tomatoes: Sweet, juicy tomatoes brighten the entire salad. You can also use grape tomatoes or juicy cherry tomatoes.
- Black Olives: Add a salty bite that pairs perfectly with the dressing. You can also substitute Greek olives or briny Kalamata olives for even more authentic flavor.
- Light Olive Oil: The base for the homemade dressing.
- Fresh Lemon Juice: Adds brightness and balances the richness of the feta.
- Red Wine Vinegar: Gives the dressing its signature tang.
- Garlic: Fresh garlic brings bold flavor.
- Dried Basil: Adds an herby finish.
- Sea Salt & Black Pepper: Season everything perfectly.
- Feta Cheese: Tangy, salty feta is the finishing touch. Pre-crumbled feta works well, but block feta creates an even creamier texture.
Greek Orzo Pasta Salad
- Add the onion slices to a small bowl and pour in enough cold water to completely cover the onions. Set aside to soak while you prepare the rest of the salad.
- In a large mixing bowl, gently stir together the cooked orzo pasta, diced red bell pepper, diced cucumber, halved cherry tomatoes, and sliced black olives.
- Add the olive oil, lemon juice, red wine vinegar, minced garlic, dried basil, sea salt, and black pepper to a mason jar. Cover and shake well to combine.
- Drain the sliced onion and add them to the pasta mixture. Pour the dressing over the pasta mixture and toss to combine.
- Chill in the refrigerator for 30 minutes and top with crumbled feta right before serving.
Greek Orzo Pasta Salad
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Equipment
Ingredients
- ½ small red onion thinly sliced
- 8 oz orzo pasta, cooked and drained
- 1 red bell pepper diced
- 1 cucumber peeled and diced
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 2.25 oz can sliced black olives
- 6 Tablespoons light olive oil
- 3 Tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 3 Tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 3 teaspoons minced garlic
- 3 teaspoons dried basil
- 1 teaspoon fine sea salt
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 4 ounces crumbled feta cheese
Instructions
- Add the onion slices to a small bowl and pour in enough cold water to completely cover the onions. Set aside to soak while you prepare the rest of the salad.
- In a large mixing bowl, gently stir together the cooked orzo pasta, diced red bell pepper, diced cucumber, halved cherry tomatoes, and sliced black olives.
- Add the olive oil, lemon juice, red wine vinegar, minced garlic, dried basil, sea salt, and black pepper to a mason jar. Cover and shake well to combine.
- Drain the sliced onion and add them to the pasta mixture. Pour the dressing over the pasta mixture and toss to combine.
- Chill in the refrigerator for 30 minutes and top with crumbled feta right before serving.
Nutrition
Nutritional Disclaimer: Family Fresh Meals is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is only an estimate. We recommend running the ingredients through an online nutritional calculator if you need to verify any information.
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