Orzo Greek Salad (Orzo Pasta Salad Recipe)

This vibrant and healthy orzo Greek salad is bursting with fresh Mediterranean flavors. With juicy red tomatoes, crisp cucumbers, hearty chickpeas, and more, this Greek orzo pasta salad is packed with nutrition, and ready to become your new salad obsession. Plus it comes together quickly for a light, refreshing lunch, weeknight dinner or savory, eye-catching cookout side!

🤔First Things First: Is Orzo Pasta?

If you've somehow completely missed the orzo craze of the past few decades, this little note is for you! Even though it looks exactly like a grain of rice, orzo is actually a tiny, short-cut pasta made from semolina flour. It's incredibly popular in Mediterranean cooking because its small shape quickly soaks up flavors and tangy vinaigrettes. And that's what makes it the perfect base for this easy Greek orzo pasta salad recipe!

❤️‍🩹Health Benefits of Orzo In Salads

While orzo is technically a pasta, it's a fantastic source of carbohydrates that provides lasting energy to keep you fueled throughout your busy day. When you toss it with nutrient-packed, fresh veggies like juicy red tomatoes and crisp cucumbers, protein-rich chickpeas, and a drizzle of healthy Mediterranean vinaigrette, it instantly transforms into a wonderfully balanced dish.

Just like Dense Bean Salad, Broccoli Quinoa Salad, and Chickpea Salad, it's the kind of wholesome, feel-good meal you can happily serve your family as a main dish or side. It also makes the perfect light and refreshing lunch!

🥗Ideas For Greek Orzo Pasta Salad For Cookouts

One of the best things about this easy Greek orzo pasta salad is that it's the ultimate make-ahead dish. Letting it chill for a few hours (or even overnight) actually helps the flavors meld together, meaning it tastes even better the very next day!

It's also a healthier take-along choice for summer potlucks and picnics. It pairs perfectly with a variety of cookout favs, from grilled chicken to smash burgers, vegan potato salad, zucchini slaw, carrot slaw, and more. Orzo Greek salad is also a great option for vegetarian guests (when you use vegan feta).

🥘Orzo Greek Salad Ingredients

• Orzo pasta: This tiny, rice-shaped pasta is the star for our Greek orzo salad recipe, perfectly soaking up every drop of that tangy dressing.
• Chickpeas: Adding a hearty scoop of chickpeas gives this dish a great boost of protein and a wonderfully satisfying texture.
• English cucumber: These crisp, virtually seedless cucumbers bring a refreshing crunch that perfectly balances the richer flavors in this easy Mediterranean diet recipe.
• Juicy red grape tomatoes: Fresh tomatoes add a bright pop of color and vibrant flavor, easily making this one of the best salad recipes for warm weather.
• Red onion: A little bit of diced red onion provides that classic, sharp bite that every great cookout side dish needs.
• Mediterranean vinaigrette (or your favorite dressing): This tangy, zippy dressing ties everything together and makes this fresh salad recipe totally irresistible.
• Feta cheese: You simply can't have a greek orzo pasta salad without plenty of crumbly, salty feta cheese to bring that authentic, savory taste!
• Kalamata olives (optional): If you love a briny, savory kick, tossing in some Kalamata olives takes this simple side dish to the next level.

See recipe card for quantities.

🔪How To Make Greek Orzo Pasta Salad

Step 1: Combine cooked, cooled orzo and drained chickpeas.

Step 2: Add the cucumbers, peppers, onion, and olives (if using).

Step 3: Drizzle on the dressing.

Step 4: Toss to combine. Add feta just before serving.

For step-by-step instructions, see the printable recipe card below.

Hint: For the best texture, make sure to cook your orzo just until it's al dente. The pasta will continue to soak up the tangy dressing as it chills. Keeping it slightly firm prevents your salad from turning mushy.

🌿Healthy Ingredient Substitutions

• Swap the pasta: Trade standard orzo for whole wheat orzo or even quinoa to easily boost the fiber and protein in your Greek orzo salad.
• Mix up the beans: If you don't have chickpeas in the pantry, cannellini beans are a fantastic swap that provide a great creamy texture.
• Lighten the cheese: Opt for a reduced-fat feta, or try a dairy-free vegan feta for those following a vegan or vegetarian diet.

📖Easy Orzo Greek Salad Recipe Variations

• Make it a main dish: Toss in some sliced grilled chicken breast or seasoned shrimp. This transforms this easy Greek orzo pasta salad from a simple side into a hearty, protein-packed dinner.
• Add Mediterranean extras: Lean even harder into those vibrant flavors by folding in chopped marinated artichoke hearts or sweet sun-dried tomatoes.
• Toss in fresh greens: Stretch this fresh salad recipe a little further by serving the orzo mixture over a bed of crisp arugula or baby spinach.
• Swap the cheese: Tangy goat cheese crumbles or even diced, grilled halloumi make fantastic, flavorful swaps for your cookout side dish.

See Slow Cooker Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup for another easy and delicious way to enjoy orzo pasta!

🍽Essential Equipment Needed

• medium saucepan with lid
• colander
• chef's knife and cutting board
• large salad bowl

🍶Storing Your Greek Orzo Salad Recipe

To keep your Greek orzo pasta salad tasting its best, store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to four days. It holds up beautifully, so you'll have a deliciously fresh and tangy side dish ready to grab all week long!

❓Greek Orzo Salad Recipe FAQ

🍜More Pasta Salad Recipes

Looking for other easy pasta salad recipes like this? Try these, or head over to our Salads and Sides page:

🥗More Cookout Side Dishes

These are my favorite cookout side dishes to serve with Orzo Greek Salad:

📋Recipe With Step-By-Step Instructions

Greek Orzo Salad Recipe

Kitchen Ready Betty

This vibrant Greek orzo pasta salad is packed with juicy red tomatoes, crisp cucumbers, and tangy feta cheese. It's an incredibly easy make-ahead dish that's absolutely perfect for your next summer cookout or a quick weeknight dinner, or lunch!

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 7 minutes mins

Rest time minimum (for best flavor) 1 hour hr

Total Time 1 hour hr 27 minutes mins

Course Cookout Side Dish, Main Dishes, Salads & Sides, Side Dish

Cuisine Mediterranean

Servings 6

Calories 517 kcal

Equipment

• medium saucepan with lid
• colander
• chef's knife
• cutting board
• large salad bowl

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. I only recommend products I truly love and use in my own kitchen!

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• 1.5 cup orzo uncooked
• 1 can (15 oz) chickpeas drained and rinsed
• ½ English cucumber sliced into thin circles
• 1 pint grape or cherry tomatoes keep whole if not enjoying the salad within 24 hours
• 1 small red bell pepper cut into thin strips
• 1 small yellow bell pepper cut into thin strips
• 1 cup red onion cut into thin circles or half circles
• 4 oz sliced kalamata olives drained (optional ingredient)
• 1 cup Mediterranean salad dressing or your favorite vinaigrette
• 1 cup feta cheese crumbled or chopped from a block

Cook ModePrevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

 

• Cook orzo according to package directions for al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water in colander; set aside.
• Once orzo has cooled, add it to a large salad bowl. Next add the drained and rinsed chickpeas; stir.
• Add the cucumber, tomatoes, peppers, onion, and olives; gently toss.
• Drizzle on the dressing, reserving a few tablespoons to add later before serving. Toss to coat.
• Cover and refrigerate a minimum of 1 hour for flavors to meld. Just before serving, add the feta and a splash of the reserved dressing; toss.

Notes

For the best texture, make sure to cook your orzo just until it's al dente! The pasta will continue to soak up the tangy dressing as it chills, so keeping it slightly firm prevents your salad from turning mushy.

For the best flavor and texture, try holding back a couple of tablespoons of your dressing to toss in right before serving. The pasta tends to soak up moisture as it chills, so that final splash really revives the dish. Also, leaving your grape tomatoes whole instead of dicing them is a great way to cut down on excess juice and keep your salad from getting watered down.

Store in an airtight container and keep refrigerated for up to 4 days. Add a splash of dressing or lemon juice to wake up the flavors and to reintroduce a little moisture.

Nutrition

Calories: 517kcalCarbohydrates: 48gProtein: 14gFat: 31gSaturated Fat: 8gPolyunsaturated Fat: 11gMonounsaturated Fat: 10gCholesterol: 22mgSodium: 786mgPotassium: 527mgFiber: 7gSugar: 6gVitamin A: 1285IUVitamin C: 52mgCalcium: 186mgIron: 2mg

Keyword chickpea orzo salad, cookout side dish, easy lunch recipe, easy pasta salad recipes, feta cheese salad, greek inspired recipes, greek orzo salad, healthy meal prep lunches, healthy pasta salad, light lunch recipes, make ahead salads, make-ahead salad, mediterranean diet recipes, Mediterranean salad, orzo greek salad, orzo pasta salad, picnic food ideas, potluck side dish, quick summer side dishes, summer potluck ideas, summer salad, vegetarian bbq sides, vegetarian pasta salad

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

_{Please note that nutritional information is provided by a third party service and is intended for guidance purposes only. KitchenReadyBetty.com makes no claims to its accuracy.}