Name: Greek Orzo Salad with Feta and Olives in Fifteen Minutes
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 25 min
Ingredients: 1 1/4 cup Orzo Pasta, cooked al dente; 2 cups cucumbers, diced or sliced; 2 cups vine or cherry tomatoes, diced; 1/3 cup purple onion, petite diced; 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped; 3/4 cup kalamata olives, seedless, cut in halves; 1 cup feta cheese, mini cubed; 1/3 cup lemon juice; 1/4 cup olive oil; 1 tsp black pepper, fresh cracked; 3/4 tsp salt, add more to taste; 1 tsp oregano, dried; 1 tbsp dijon mustard; 1 tbsp red wine vinegar; 1 tsp honey; 1 tsp fresh garlic

My Summer Friend, The Greek Orzo Salad

This Greek Orzo Salad recipe is my summer best friend. It is always ready for a picnic. It never minds the hot sun. I make it for family lunches all the time.

It is a healthy pasta salad that feels fancy. But it is so simple. You just cook the little orzo pasta. Then you mix everything in a big, happy bowl. Doesn’t that sound nice?

Why This Bowl of Goodness Matters

This matters because food should bring joy, not stress. This easy Greek Orzo Salad does that. You get a complete, tasty meal from one bowl. Less washing up makes me smile.

It also matters for togetherness. A big bowl on the table lets everyone serve themselves. We talk and laugh while we eat. Food tastes better with shared stories. What was your favorite shared meal this week?

A Little Story About Olives

I must tell you about the kalamata olives. My grandson used to call them “the fancy purple beans.” He would pick them out and eat them first. I still laugh at that.

Now he helps me cut them in halves. He says it makes more olives to go around. I think he is a clever boy. This is a great first job for a young helper in the kitchen.

The Magic is in the Dressing

Do not skip making the homemade Greek vinaigrette. This is where the flavor lives. You whisk lemon juice, oil, and herbs together. Doesn’t that smell amazing?

*Fun fact*: The dijon mustard and honey are my secret. They help the oil and lemon juice become friends. They stop them from separating. This makes the dressing cling to every piece of pasta and veggie.

Your New Go-To Side Dish

This Greek salad with orzo is the perfect side dish recipe. It goes with grilled chicken or fish. It is happy next to a sandwich. It can even be your whole lunch.

It is a champion for meal prep salad ideas. Make it on Sunday. It waits patiently in the fridge for three days. The flavors get even friendlier. Do you have a favorite meal prep dish?

Making It Your Own

The best part about this quick and easy salad is you can change it. No purple onion? Use a green one. Love mint? Add a handful with the parsley. Cooking should have rules, but also room for play.

I think the feta cheese is perfect here. But my sister uses little mozzarella balls. Her version is good too. What is one ingredient you would love to add to this orzo pasta salad?

Ingredients:

Ingredient	Amount	Notes
Orzo Pasta	1 1/4 cup	cooked al dente
Cucumbers	2 cups	diced or sliced
Vine or Cherry Tomatoes	2 cups	diced
Purple Onion	1/3 cup	petite diced
Fresh Parsley	1/4 cup	chopped
Kalamata Olives	3/4 cup	seedless, cut in halves
Feta Cheese	1 cup	mini cubed
Lemon Juice	1/3 cup	for dressing
Olive Oil	1/4 cup	for dressing
Black Pepper	1 tsp	fresh cracked, for dressing
Salt	3/4 tsp	add more to taste, for dressing
Oregano	1 tsp	dried, for dressing
Dijon Mustard	1 tbsp	for dressing
Red Wine Vinegar	1 tbsp	for dressing
Honey	1 tsp	for dressing
Fresh Garlic	1 tsp	for dressing

Greek Orzo Salad with Feta and Olives in Fifteen Minutes

Instructions

Step 1: First, cook your orzo pasta. Follow the box directions for al dente. While it cooks, you can chop. This easy Greek Orzo Salad comes together so fast. I love the sound of the boiling water. It smells like a cozy kitchen already.

Step 2: Now, let’s chop everything. Dice the cucumbers and tomatoes. Petite dice the purple onion, it’s sweeter that way. (A sharp knife makes this safe and easy!). Toss it all, including the olives and feta, into a big bowl.

Step 3: Time for the homemade Greek vinaigrette! Whisk everything in a cup. The lemon juice and olive oil become friends. Doesn’t that smell amazing? This healthy pasta salad dressing is the secret.

Step 4: Pour that lovely dressing over your bowl. Gently toss it all to coat. I use two big spoons, like a hug for the salad. This Greek salad with orzo is now perfectly dressed and ready.

Step 5: You can serve it right away. Or, chill it for an hour for even better flavor. This meal prep salad is a lifesaver for busy days. Do you prefer your salads cool or room temperature? Share below!

Creative Twists

Add grilled chicken or chickpeas to make it a full meal. Swap feta for creamy goat cheese for a different tang. Mix in some fresh mint or dill with the parsley for extra freshness. Which one would you try first? Comment below!

Serving & Pairing Ideas

This quick and easy salad is a star side dish. It’s perfect with simple grilled fish or chicken. For a picnic, pack it with pita bread for scooping. You could also add extra feta on top for a pretty finish. It’s one of my favorite side dish recipes for summer. Which would you choose tonight?

Keeping Your Greek Orzo Salad Happy

Let’s talk about storing this lovely salad. It keeps beautifully in the fridge. Just pop it in a sealed container. It will stay fresh for about three days. The flavors actually get better as they mingle.

You can freeze it, but I don’t recommend it. The fresh veggies lose their wonderful crunch. I learned this the hard way. My first batch turned a bit mushy after thawing. Now I just enjoy it fresh or chilled.

This is a perfect meal prep salad. Make a big batch on Sunday. You’ll have a healthy pasta salad ready for lunches. This matters because it saves you time on busy days. A good meal is waiting for you. Have you ever tried storing it this way? Share below!

Little Fixes for Big Flavor

Sometimes our cooking needs a small fix. That’s okay. First, if your salad seems dry, don’t worry. Just whisk up a little more homemade Greek vinaigrette. A quick drizzle brings it right back to life.

Second, if your orzo gets sticky, rinse it with cool water. I remember when I forgot to do this once. My pasta clumped together in the bowl. A quick rinse fixes everything. This matters because each bite should be perfect.

Third, let your salad sit before serving. This lets the dressing soak into the orzo pasta salad. It makes every flavor sing together. This simple step builds real cooking confidence. Which of these problems have you run into before?

Your Quick Questions, Answered

Is Greek orzo salad served hot or cold?

This Greek orzo salad is best served cold or at room temperature. Chilling it allows all the flavors to blend together beautifully. The cool, crisp veggies and tangy feta taste most refreshing this way. It is the perfect make-ahead dish for a picnic or potluck. You can serve it immediately, but waiting a bit is even better.

Can I make Greek orzo salad ahead of time?

Absolutely! This is one of the best make-ahead salads. Making this Greek Orzo Salad recipe ahead is a great idea for meal prep. The orzo pasta soaks up the delicious homemade Greek vinaigrette. This makes the salad even more flavorful overnight. Just keep it sealed in your fridge. It makes for a very healthy pasta salad ready when you are.

What can I use instead of feta in orzo salad?

If you don’t have feta, try cubed mozzarella or halloumi cheese. For a dairy-free option, chickpeas are a wonderful substitute. They add a nice protein boost to this easy Greek Orzo Salad. A sprinkle of nutritional yeast can give a cheesy flavor too. The salad will still be delicious and full of Mediterranean charm.

How do you keep orzo salad from getting dry?

The key is in the dressing and storage. Always make sure your orzo pasta is well-coated with the homemade Greek vinaigrette. If making ahead, store it in a tightly sealed container. The dressing keeps the pasta moist. If it seems dry later, add a splash of olive oil and lemon juice. A quick toss will refresh your Greek salad with orzo perfectly.

Is orzo pasta or rice?

Orzo is pasta, not rice. It is made from wheat, just like spaghetti. Its shape looks like a large grain of rice, which is fun. *A fun fact: ‘orzo’ actually means ‘barley’ in Italian!* It cooks quickly and is perfect for salads. It soaks up dressings wonderfully in recipes like this healthy pasta salad.

What to serve with Greek orzo salad?

This salad is a fantastic side dish. It pairs beautifully with grilled chicken, fish, or lamb burgers. For a simple vegetarian meal, add a can of drained chickpeas right into the bowl. It also makes a great potluck contribution. Look through other side dish recipes for more inspiration. Which tip will you try first?

From My Kitchen to Yours

I hope you love this quick and easy salad as much as I do. It always brings a taste of sunshine to my table. Cooking should be simple and joyful. Remember, the best recipes are the ones you make your own.

I would love to hear about your kitchen adventures. Tell me all about it. Have you tried this recipe? Did you add your own special twist? Please share your story in the comments below. I read every single one.

Happy cooking!
—Elena Rutherford