The perfect springtime prep-ahead salad does exist! Featuring all of the favourites you find in a classic Greek salad like bright tomatoes, fresh cucumber, briny Kalamata olives and tangy feta, our Greek orzo salad has the addition of pasta, making it the ideal pasta salad lunch you can enjoy day-in and day-out.
For extra kick, this recipe includes zesty pepperoncini to spice things up. The second best part? The whole thing comes together in under 30 minutes with minimal dishes. The simple Greek lemon vinaigrette delivers on bold delicious flavour and can be kept and stored separately in the fridge for future enjoyment.
Greek Orzo Salad
This colourful salad can feed a small crowd and be made up to a day ahead without the tomatoes and cucumbers. No lettuce—or risk of wilting greens—here. Always-satisfying orzo is somehow even better the next day.
Equipment
- Resealable jar
- large bowl
Ingredients
Ingredients
- Lemon Vinaigrette
- ¼ cup lemon juice
- 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1 clove garlic finely grated
- 2 tsp granulated sugar
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1½ tsp kosher salt
- 1 tsp freshly ground black pepper
Salad
- 1 cup orzo
- ½ cup chopped herbs such as parsley, dill and oregano
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes halved
- 2 mini cucumbers chopped
- 1½ cups cubed feta
- 2 bell peppers chopped (tip: swap out for 1 cup drained and chopped roasted red peppers)
- ¼ small red onion thinly sliced
- ⅔ cup kalamata olives
- 5 peperoncini whole or chopped
Instructions
Method
- Lemon Vinaigrette: In resealable jar, combine lemon juice, oil, mustard, garlic, sugar, oregano, salt and pepper. Secure lid and shake vigorously until combined. Let stand for 10 minutes for flavours to meld.
- Salad: Cook orzo following package directions; drain and rinse under cold water. Drain. In large bowl, toss with ¼ cup of the vinaigrette and herbs. Add remaining ingredients and some more vinaigrette; toss to combine.
Notes
Tip: Orzo, a tiny Italian rice-shaped pasta, is traditionally used in soups and now, more commonly, in pasta salads because of its ability to hold its shape and slowly absorb flavours.
