Did you know Orzo Salad is a pasta dish?
Orzo salads are one of those dishes that hit all the right notes—easy to make, endlessly versatile, and perfect for any occasion. Whether you’re tossing one together for a quick weeknight dinner, packing it up for a picnic, or serving it at a backyard barbecue, orzo salads always deliver.
The tender, rice-shaped pasta holds onto dressings beautifully, soaking up all those vibrant flavors. Plus, orzo pairs well with just about anything—fresh herbs, roasted veggies, briny olives, creamy cheeses, or even grilled seafood or chicken.
It’s a blank canvas that invites creativity. In this post, you’ll find a collection of my favorite orzo salad recipes. Each one brings a little something different to the table—some are light and bright with lemon and herbs, others are heartier with bold Mediterranean flavors.
I’ll also share tips for cooking orzo perfectly every time and ways to prep salads so they’re ready when needed. Whether you’re a longtime orzo fan or trying it for the first time, these salads are sure to become a staple in your kitchen. Let’s get cooking!
Basic Orzo Salad Recipe
Ingredients
- orzo pasta
- water
- salt optional
Instructions
- First, bring a pot of water to a boil. Add a pinch of salt if desired.
- Then, add the orzo to the boiling water.
- Cook the orzo according to the package instructions, usually for 8-10 minutes or until tender.
- Drain the orzo in a colander, then return it to the pot.
- You can use the orzo in your recipe as desired or toss it with olive oil or butter to prevent it from sticking together.
Notes
Salads You Can Make with Orz0
| Orzo Salad Dish | Key Ingredients | Wine Pairing |
|---|---|---|
| Mediterranean Orzo Salad | Orzo, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, Kalamata olives, red onion, feta, oregano, lemon vinaigrette | Sauvignon Blanc or Vermentino |
| Lemon Herb Orzo Salad | Orzo, fresh parsley, mint, dill, scallions, lemon juice, olive oil | Pinot Grigio |
| Orzo with Roasted Vegetables | Orzo, roasted zucchini, bell peppers, eggplant, red onion, balsamic glaze | Rosé or Grenache Blanc |
| Greek-Inspired Orzo Salad | Orzo, spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, feta, olives, cucumber, red wine vinaigrette | Assyrtiko or dry Riesling |
| Orzo with Shrimp and Arugula | Orzo, grilled shrimp, arugula, lemon zest, garlic, Parmesan | Albariño or dry Chenin Blanc |
| Caprese Orzo Salad | Orzo, cherry tomatoes, mozzarella pearls, basil, balsamic reduction | Pinot Noir or Sangiovese |
| Orzo with Artichokes and Chickpeas | Orzo, marinated artichoke hearts, chickpeas, lemon vinaigrette, parsley | Chardonnay (unoaked) or Verdicchio |
| Orzo Pesto Salad | Orzo, basil pesto, pine nuts, Parmesan, baby spinach | Vermentino or Soave |
Orzo – A Blank Canvas
I think of orzo as a blank canvas on which to create wonderful salad recipes, like my Seafood Orzo Salad or Carrot Orzo Salad.
Start with a box or bag of cooked orzo, let it cool to room temperature, add some vegetables, proteins, herbs, and spices, and create your master recipe. This is a basic orzo recipe. Think of it as your starting point.
Then, I will offer up a selection of ingredients that work nicely together to give you some ideas, but I encourage you to play around with your favorite foods to create your own.
What Is Orzo?
Orzo is a type of pasta shaped like rice grains. It is made from durum wheat flour and water and is usually cooked by boiling it until tender. Orzo is often used in soups, salads, and other dishes to substitute rice or grains.
It is a versatile ingredient that can be flavored in various ways and pairs well with various ingredients. Some familiar orzo dishes include pasta salads, minestrone soup, and pilaf.
Grilled Salmon with Orzo
Last night, we prepared my wife’s Grilled Salmon Steaks with Lemon and Dill Recipe and created a side dish with orzo and some “what’s on hand” ingredients from the refrigerator and pantry.
For the record, I call them “grilled” salmon steaks, but they are roasted or baked salmon steaks cooked on the grill. The steaks sit on cedar planks, but the fish is cooked with indirect heat.
We needed a side dish to serve with the salmon, so we devised this basic orzo salad recipe. You have a great, quick, and easy meal with roasted tomatoes from the freezer, black olives, fresh olive oil, and a little salt and pepper.
Even better was taking the leftover salmon, breaking it up into bite-sized pieces, and adding it to the leftover orzo salad, and you have a seafood orzo salad that can’t be beaten.
Greek Orzo Salad Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup orzo pasta
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
- ½ cup feta cheese crumpled
- ¼ cup red onion finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon fresh basil chopped
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Bring a pot of salted water to a boil and cook the orzo according to the package instructions. Drain and rinse the orzo under cold water.
- Combine the cooked orzo, cherry tomatoes, feta cheese, and red onion in a large bowl.
- Whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, basil, and oregano in a small bowl—season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Pour the dressing over the orzo mixture and toss to combine.
- Serve the orzo salad chilled or at room temperature. Enjoy!
Notes
Italian Orzo Salad Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup orzo
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
- ½ cup bell peppers (red, yellow, or green) chopped
- ½ cup red onion finely chopped
- ¼ cup fresh parsley chopped
- ¼ cup crumbled feta cheese (optional)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoon red wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon fresh basil chopped
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Bring a pot of salted water to a boil and cook the orzo according to the package instructions. Drain and rinse the orzo under cold water.
- In a large bowl, combine the cooked orzo, cherry tomatoes, bell peppers, red onion, parsley, and feta cheese (if using).
- Whisk together the olive oil, red wine vinegar, basil, mustard, and oregano in a small bowl—season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Pour the dressing over the orzo mixture and toss to combine.
- Serve the orzo salad chilled or at room temperature. Enjoy!
