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Savory Sides

Lemon Orzo Salad

This lemon orzo salad tosses orzo pasta with cherry tomatoes, cucumber, feta, and fresh herbs in a bright lemon vinaigrette, ready in 25 minutes and even better the next day. This is the salad that shows up to potlucks and makes everyone else’s dish look sad. Tangy, fresh, and it only gets better as it sits around being fabulous. It’s an easy plate alongside our lemon chicken piccata.

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Quick answer: A bright Mediterranean orzo salad with cherry tomatoes, cucumber, feta, and fresh herbs tossed in a lemon vinaigrette. Ready in 20 minutes, serves 4 to 6, and gets better as it sits. Perfect for meal prep or potlucks.

A white bowl filled with lemon orzo salad showing bright orzo pasta, halved cherry tomatoes, diced cucumber, crumbled feta cheese, and fresh herbs
Prep15 min
Cook10 min
Total25 min
Serves6 servings

Instructions

1

Cook orzo according to package directions until al dente. Drain and rinse briefly under cold water to cool. Transfer to a large bowl.

2

While orzo cooks, whisk together lemon juice, olive oil, minced garlic, mustard, salt, and pepper in a small bowl.

3

Add cherry tomatoes, cucumber, feta, basil, and parsley to the cooled orzo.

4

Pour the dressing over the salad and toss gently to combine. Let sit for 10 minutes before serving so the flavors can mingle.

Zesty Tip: Make this salad up to 24 hours ahead and store it in the refrigerator. It actually tastes better the next day as the pasta absorbs the tangy dressing.

Questions people actually ask

Can I use a different pasta shape?

Absolutely. Small shells, penne, or rotini all work well. Aim for a smaller shape that holds the dressing nicely.

Is this vegan?

Swap the feta for kalamata olives or sun-dried tomatoes, and it's vegan-friendly and just as delicious.

How long does this keep?

Stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator, this salad keeps for up to 4 days. Give it a stir and add a splash more lemon juice before serving if it seems dry.

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