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    Home » Recipes » Salads

    Greek Orzo Salad with Feta and Chickpeas

    Published: Jun 14, 2022 · Modified: Jul 22, 2022 by Katelyn Theofanis · This post may contain affiliate links · This blog generates income via ads · #sponsoredpost · 4 Comments

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    This easy Greek Orzo Salad is the perfect cold summer salad. It is loaded with fresh ingredients including tomatoes, cucumbers, kalamata olives, tangy feta cheese, chickpeas, and flavorful herbs. Finished with a vibrant, zesty homemade Greek salad dressing, this simple salad recipe is one that you will want to make again and again!

    Greek orzo salad garnished with fresh herbs.

    What is orzo? Orzo, or Risoni, is a short pasta that resembles the shape of rice. It is delicious when coated with olive oil or butter. In the case of this salad, the orzo is tossed with fresh ingredients, crumbled feta cheese, and a homemade Greek dressing. The result is one DELICIOUS salad!

    This summertime recipe makes a LOT, enough to feed a crowd. This makes it ideal for barbecues, picnics, and even meal prep. Like my Italian Pasta Salad and my Quinoa Salad with Chickpeas, the longer this Greek orzo pasta salad sits in the dressing, the more distinguished the Mediterranean flavors will be.

    Are you a feta lover like me? Then you will love this Easy Chicken Feta Pasta and this Sun-Dried Tomato Feta Dip. Everything is "betta with feta" so give this Mediterranean orzo salad a try!

    Jump to:
    • Ingredients
    • Instructions
    • Substitutions
    • Variations
    • What to Serve with Orzo Salad
    • Suggested Equipment
    • Storage
    • Expert Tips
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Related Recipes
    • 📖 Recipe
    • 💬 Comments

    Ingredients

    The ingredients you need for this recipe.
    • Orzo
    • Fresh Vegetables - Grape, or Cherry, Tomatoes (halved), Persian Cucumbers (sliced), Red Onion (thinly sliced)
    • Kalamata Olives
    • Feta Cheese (crumbled)
    • Chickpeas
    • Olive Oil
    • Red Wine Vinegar
    • Lemon Juice (fresh)
    • Dijon Mustard
    • Garlic (minced)
    • Seasoning - Dried Oregano, Salt, and Black Pepper
    • Fresh Herbs - Mint and Basil

    See the recipe card for quantities.

    Instructions

    COOK THE ORZO - Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Cook orzo according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and drizzle it with olive oil to prevent sticking. Cool.

    Hint: To cool the orzo quickly, transfer it to a sheet tray. Spread the olive oil-coated orzo into an even layer.

    Cooked orzo in a large bowl.
    Cook the orzo.
    Homemade Greek salad dressing in a liquid measuring cup with a whisk.
    Make the Greek dressing.

    MAKE THE GREEK DRESSING - Whisk the vinegar, lemon juice, garlic, and seasoning together. Whisk in the olive oil slowly, until emulsified.

    All of the salad ingredients in a large bowl.
    Toss the ingredients together.
    Orzo salad tossed in dressing.
    Toss the ingredients in the Greek dressing.

    ASSEMBLE THE SALAD - Toss the cooled orzo, tomatoes, olives, onion slices, cucumber, chickpeas, and feta in a large bowl. Pour the dressing over the orzo mixture and toss until everything is coated. Finally, toss in the fresh herbs.

    Substitutions

    This salad is completely customizable. Use what you have on hand or whatever vegetables need to be used up.

    • Tomatoes - Sun-dried tomatoes, bell peppers, or artichoke hearts
    • Persian Cucumber - Hothouse, or English, cucumber
    • Red Onion - White Onion or scallions
    • Kalamata Olives - Canned black olives, green olives, or roasted bell peppers
    • Red Wine Vinegar - White wine vinegar, sherry vinegar, or extra lemon juice
    • Feta Cheese - Goat cheese
    • Fresh Herbs - Parsley or Dill

    Variations

    • Vegan - Omit the feta cheese.
    • Kid-Friendly - Depending on taste preferences, omit olives and add additional cheese.
    • Dairy-Free - Omit the feta cheese or use a dairy-free alternative.
    • Meat - Add cooked or grilled chicken slices.
    • Add Greens - Serve with spinach or arugula.

    For another olive oil-based pasta salad, try my Healthier BLT Pasta Salad.

    Greek orzo salad garnished with fresh herbs.

    What to Serve with Orzo Salad

    What pairs well with orzo salad? Similar to other salads, this recipe is a delicious side dish for just about any protein. Think grilled chicken, steak, and even burgers. It makes a great make-ahead lunch or dinner too, enough for the whole week. Add sliced or chopped chicken for a complete meal.

    While I love this salad alongside grilled meats, here are a few of my other favorite recipes to pair it with.

    • Slow-Cooker Greek Chicken
    • Slow-Cooker BBQ Chicken Thighs
    • Sheet Pan Sausage and Peppers
    • Cracker-Crusted Chicken Nuggets

    Suggested Equipment

    • Cuisinart Chef's Classic Stainless Stockpot
    • Stainless Steel Colander
    • Pyrex Prepware 4-Quart Rimmed Mixing Bowl
    • Ytuomzi Chef's Knife with Ergonomic Handle Professional Chef Knife 8 Inch Forged
    • HOMWE Kitchen Cutting Board (3-Piece Set)

    Storage

    Another great reason to make this orzo salad recipe is its long shelflife. The flavors only get better as it sits. Transfer the salad to an airtight container. Store it in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Or, portion out the salad into individual containers for easy meal prep.

    Can you freeze orzo salad? No, do not freeze this salad.

    Greek orzo salad garnished with fresh herbs.

    Expert Tips

    1. Salt the water for the best flavor. Once the water is boiling, add salt before adding orzo.
    2. Drizzle orzo with olive oil. To prevent the orzo from sticking together as it cools, drizzle it with olive oil. (This process adds extra flavor too.)
    3. Use a Microplane to mince the garlic. For easy mincing, use a Microplane grater to mince the garlic right into the bowl.
    4. Season with salt and pepper. After tossing all of the ingredients, taste the salad and season with additional salt and pepper as desired.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Where is orzo in the supermarket?

    Orzo is pasta, so you will find it in the pasta aisle of most grocery stores.

    Can orzo salad be made a day ahead?

    Orzo salad can be made a day ahead. Making it in advance and allowing the dressing to permeate with the other ingredients actually results in better flavor too.

    Is orzo salad healthy?

    While orzo is pasta which means carbohydrates, this recipe is full of good-for-you ingredients like tomatoes, chickpeas, cucumbers, and olive oil. For fewer carbohydrates per serving, scoop over fresh greens like spinach or arugula.

    Related Recipes

    • Quinoa salad with chickpeas in a large bowl.
      Quinoa Salad with Chickpeas
    • A bowl of pesto pasta salad with a wooden spoon.
      Summer Pesto Pasta Salad
    • Egg salad with pickles in a bowl.
      Easy Egg Salad with Pickles
    • A smashed chickpea salad sandwich on a parchment-lined board.
      Easy Smashed Buffalo Chickpea Salad

    If you make the recipe, don’t forget to rate the recipe and let me know what you think in the comments below! Take pictures, tag #sugarylogic, and share them with me on Instagram or Facebook. 

    📖 Recipe

    A bowl of Greek orzo salad.

    Greek Orzo Salad

    Katelyn Theofanis
    This easy Greek Orzo Salad is the perfect cold summer salad. It is loaded with fresh ingredients including tomatoes, cucumbers, feta cheese, chickpeas, and herbs. Finished with a vibrant homemade Greek salad dressing, this is a salad recipe that you will want to make again and again!
    5 from 4 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 30 mins
    Cook Time 10 mins
    Total Time 40 mins
    Course Main Course, Salad, Side Dish
    Cuisine American, Mediterranean
    Servings 8 servings
    Calories 367 kcal

    Equipment

    • Large Pot
    • Mixing Bowls

    Ingredients
      

    Greek Salad Dressing

    • ½ cup olive oil
    • ¼ cup red wine vinegar
    • 2 tablespoon lemon juice
    • ¾ teaspoon dried oregano
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
    • 1 tablespoon dijon mustard
    • 2 cloves garlic minced

    Orzo Salad

    • 1½ cups orzo pasta uncooked
    • 2 persian cucumbers sliced
    • 2 cups grape (or cherry) tomatoes halved
    • ½ red onion sliced thin
    • ½ cup pitted kalamata olives
    • 15 oz chickpeas drained and rinsed
    • ½ cup feta cheese crumbled
    • ½ cup fresh mint and/or basil leaves chopped or torn; plus more for garnish

    Instructions
     

    • Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Once boiling, salt the water. Cook orzo according to package instructions until al dente. Drain the orzo and drizzle it with olive oil; toss to coat. Allow it to cool.
    • To make the Greek salad dressing, combine the red wine vinegar, lemon juice, dijon mustard, oregano, salt, black pepper, and minced garlic. While whisking, drizzle in the olive oil until emulsified.
    • Toss the cooled orzo, grape tomatoes, red onion, olives, cucumbers, and feta cheese in a large bowl. Pour the dressing over the mixture and toss until everything is coated.
    • Add the fresh herbs and toss just until incorporated.
    • For best results, chill the salad for 2 hours in the refrigerator before serving.

    Notes

    • Garnish: Sprinkle with additional fresh herbs, feta cheese, and freshly cracked pepper.
    • Store: Transfer the salad to an airtight container. Store it in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
    • For Quick Cooling: Spread the cooked, olive oil-coated orzo onto a baking sheet tray. 

    Nutrition

    Calories: 367kcalCarbohydrates: 40gProtein: 11gFat: 19gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 12gCholesterol: 8mgSodium: 414mgPotassium: 378mgFiber: 6gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 537IUVitamin C: 9mgCalcium: 104mgIron: 3mg
    Tried this recipe?Tag your photo #sugarylogic or @sugarylogic ANY QUESTIONS? Please leave a comment below!

    Did you make this? Be sure to leave a review below and tag me on Instagram, Facebook, or Pinterest!

    More Salads

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      Healthier BLT Pasta Salad
    • Healthy Chicken Waldorf Salad
    • 20-Minute Pesto Potato Salad
    • Avocado Tuna Salad

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

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      Recipe Rating




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    1. James Theo

      July 23, 2022 at 2:35 pm

      5 stars
      Looks great!

      Reply
      • Katelyn Theofanis

        July 25, 2022 at 3:49 pm

        Thank you! 🙂

        Reply
    2. Cathy

      September 16, 2022 at 11:29 pm

      5 stars
      I made it and I love it! It has become my go to meal. Quick and easy to make, flavorful and healthier then what I usually eat.

      Reply
      • Katelyn Theofanis

        September 18, 2022 at 3:30 pm

        Cathy, I am so happy to hear that you enjoyed this recipe! Thank you for the positive review.

        Reply

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    author

    Hi, welcome to Sugary Logic! I'm Katelyn. I am an experienced chef and home cook publishing simple and easy recipes here on my food blog, Sugary Logic. Sugary Logic's recipes will save you time and allow you to create fast and easy meals as sophisticated as any restaurant meal.

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