Description
A vibrant, Mediterranean-inspired dish featuring tender orzo pasta, crisp English cucumbers, and crunchy red bell peppers. Tossed in a zesty lemon-herb dressing with a touch of honey and creamy feta, this salad offers a perfect balance of salty and sweet that stays fresh for days.
Ingredients
- 1.5 – 2 cups orzo (uncooked)
- 1 English cucumber (chopped), 1 red bell pepper (chopped)
- 1/2 small red onion (diced), 6 oz feta cheese (crumbled)
- 1/4 cup each: fresh parsley and fresh basil (chopped)
- 2–3 garlic cloves (minced), 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1 lemon (zest and juice), 1 tbsp honey
- 1/2 tsp sea salt, 1/2 tsp cracked black pepper
Instructions
Pasta: Boil orzo until al dente. Drain and immediately rinse with cold water to remove excess starch and prevent clumping.
Veggie Prep: Chop the cucumber, bell pepper, onion, and herbs while the pasta drains thoroughly.
Combine: Toss cooled orzo with the vegetables, garlic, and herbs in a large bowl.
Dress: Add lemon juice, zest, olive oil, honey, salt, and pepper. Mix until evenly coated.
Finish: Gently fold in feta cheese last. Chill for at least 30 minutes. Toss with a fresh drizzle of olive oil before serving.
Notes
The Rinse Rule: Rinsing orzo with cold water is a non-negotiable ‘pro tip.’ It halts the cooking process and removes surface starch, ensuring the salad remains light and airy rather than a single gummy block.
Uniform Dicing: Aim for a ‘small dice’ on your peppers and onions to match the size of the cooked orzo. This creates a more sophisticated texture and ensures every forkful contains a perfect ratio of all flavors.
Honey Distribution: If your dressing seems clumpy, whisk the honey into the lemon juice and olive oil separately before pouring it over the salad to ensure even sweetness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Salad / Side Dish
- Method: No-Cook (except pasta)
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 285
- Sugar: 4
- Sodium: 340
- Fat: 16
- Saturated Fat: 5
- Unsaturated Fat: 11
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 28
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 8
- Cholesterol: 15
Keywords: lemon orzo salad, mediterranean pasta salad, feta and orzo, healthy summer sides, meal prep salad recipes