Orzo Salad with Cucumber, Feta (Print)

Orzo tossed with cucumber, cherry tomatoes, parsley and crumbled feta in a bright lemon dressing.

# Components:

→ Pasta

01 - 1 cup (200 g) orzo
02 - Salt, for boiling water

→ Vegetables & Herbs

03 - 1 large cucumber, diced
04 - 1/2 small red onion, finely chopped
05 - 1 cup (150 g) cherry tomatoes, halved
06 - 1/4 cup (10 g) fresh parsley, chopped
07 - 2 tbsp fresh mint, chopped (optional)

→ Cheese

08 - 3/4 cup (100 g) feta cheese, crumbled

→ Lemon Dressing

09 - 1/4 cup (60 ml) extra virgin olive oil
10 - Zest of 1 lemon
11 - Juice of 1 1/2 lemons (about 3 tbsp)
12 - 1 garlic clove, finely minced
13 - 1 tsp honey or maple syrup
14 - 1/2 tsp dried oregano
15 - Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
16 - Salt, to taste

# Directions:

01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the orzo and cook according to package instructions (usually 8–10 minutes) until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process.
02 - In a small bowl or jar, whisk together all lemon dressing ingredients: olive oil, lemon zest, lemon juice, garlic, honey, oregano, pepper, and salt. Adjust seasoning to taste.
03 - In a large salad bowl, combine cooked orzo, cucumber, red onion, cherry tomatoes, parsley, and mint.
04 - Drizzle the lemon dressing over the salad and toss well to combine.
05 - Gently fold in the crumbled feta cheese.
06 - Chill in the refrigerator for 15–30 minutes to allow flavors to meld, or serve immediately. Garnish with extra parsley or feta if desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • That zesty lemon dressing works magic, especially when you need an instant pick-me-up meal.
  • It’s quick and forgiving, perfect when you’re low on time or patience.
02 -
  • If you forget to rinse the orzo after cooking, the salad will get sticky and heavy.
  • Mixing the dressing before tossing everything together keeps the flavors sharp and even throughout.
03 -
  • Let the orzo cool completely before mixing to keep veggies crisp.
  • Use a zester instead of a grater for fine, fragrant lemon zest that won’t clump.
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