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Fresh Zesty Lemon Orzo Salad with Feta

lemon orzo salad - featured image
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A bright and refreshing summer salad featuring orzo pasta, fresh lemon juice and zest, creamy feta, and crisp vegetables, perfect for BBQs and light meals.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 ½ cups (about 255 g) orzo pasta
  • ¼ cup (60 ml) extra virgin olive oil
  • Juice from 2 large lemons (about ¼ cup / 60 ml)
  • Lemon zest from 1 lemon
  • ¾ cup crumbled feta cheese (about 100 g)
  • 1 medium cucumber, diced
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • ¼ cup finely chopped red onion (optional)
  • ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh mint
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • Optional: ½ cup sliced Kalamata olives
  • Optional: ¼ cup toasted pine nuts

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 1 ½ cups (255 g) orzo and cook according to package instructions, about 8-10 minutes, until al dente. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
  2. Pour the orzo into a colander and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking and cool it quickly. Shake off excess water well.
  3. In a small bowl, whisk together ¼ cup (60 ml) extra virgin olive oil, juice from 2 large lemons (about ¼ cup / 60 ml), and lemon zest from 1 lemon. Add a pinch of salt and black pepper to taste.
  4. Dice 1 medium cucumber, halve 1 cup cherry tomatoes, finely chop ¼ cup red onion (optional), and roughly chop ¼ cup parsley and 2 tablespoons mint.
  5. In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled orzo, chopped veggies, herbs, and ¾ cup (100 g) crumbled feta cheese. Pour the lemon-olive oil dressing over and gently toss everything together to coat evenly.
  6. Add salt and pepper as needed. If desired, stir in ½ cup sliced Kalamata olives or ¼ cup toasted pine nuts for extra texture and savory depth.
  7. Serve immediately or refrigerate for 30 minutes to let the flavors meld. Toss gently before serving.

Notes

Rinse and shake off excess water from the orzo to prevent clumping and sogginess. Zest the lemon before juicing to avoid bitter pith. Add salt gradually to avoid over-seasoning due to salty feta. Fresh herbs are essential for brightness. Toast nuts lightly for extra flavor if using.

Nutrition

Keywords: lemon orzo salad, summer salad, feta salad, easy salad recipe, BBQ side dish, fresh lemon salad, vegetarian salad

Find it online: https://bouncybowl.com/fresh-zesty-lemon-orzo-salad-with-feta-easy-summer-recipe/