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    Home » Recipes » Salads » Lemon Orzo Salad with Feta

    Published: Jun 9, 2022 · Modified: Apr 23, 2023 by Sarah Baumeister · This post may contain affiliate links · 2 Comments

    Lemon Orzo Salad with Feta

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Meet the pasta salad of the summer! This lemon orzo salad with feta is so light and fresh and full of summer-y ingredients like herbs, sweet corn, and a light lemony dressing. This is a zesty pasta salad recipe that is sure to be on repeat.

    risoni salad with veggies in bowl.

    This is one of those dishes, that as soon as I finished photographing it, I was eating it right out of the serving dish. It's so good! This quick salad is a cinch to prepare and is a great way to get in your veggies.

    The feta cheese has a nice salty creaminess to it, the celery adds crunch, the green onions give a good flavor without being overpowering, and the orzo? Well you can't go wrong with pasta!

    Next time I make this, I think I'll use some midwest corn that I cut straight off the cob.

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    What is orzo?

    dry orzo in a green measuring cup.
    hand holding dry orzo pasta.

    Orzo is a great, under utilized pasta shape in my opinion. The name "orzo" means "barley" in italian. The shape is similar to rice or barley, but it is a different texture. Also called risoni, orzo pasta is just another delicious pasta shape that is good to have in your pantry for recipes like this one!

    It is so comforting to eat, as the small pasta just melts in your mouth. I use orzo sometimes when making chicken pastina with egg, as it is a similar size to stelline pasta.

    Ingredients in risoni salad

    ingredients for orzo salad on a white background.
    • dry orzo
    • feta cheese
    • extra virgin olive oil
    • cherry tomatoes
    • frozen or canned corn
    • celery
    • green onions
    • fresh parsley
    • garlic cloves
    • lemon
    • salt
    orzo feta salad in a bowl.

    How to Make Lemon Orzo Salad with Feta

    Cook orzo pasta according to packaging instructions.
    In a medium sized mixing bowl, add minced garlic.

    minced garlic in a tan bowl.


    Drain and pour hot pasta over minced garlic to take away from of the bitterness.
    Add remaining ingredients and stir to combine.

    orzo salad that hasn't been mixed.

    Enjoy warm or cold.

    Recipe Tips

    • Place minced garlic into your mixing bowl first, and then pour the hot orzo pasta over top. This helps cook the garlic just a tad, and take away some of the bitterness raw garlic can have.
    • When refrigerated, the pasta with soak up the acids and oil. If you are chilling and serving later, you may want to wait until right before you serve to add in the liquids.
    orzo salad in a low bowl with salt in the background.

    Variations and Substitutions

    • Top with grilled chicken for a protein-packed lunch
    • For a pescatarian option, this salad would be bomb with the addition of salmon. Simply cook up one or two filets, break up into bite-sized pieces with a fork, and stir in.
    • Add red bell pepper for color, flavor, and crunch.
    • Add in other fresh herbs like dill or basil. Whatever you have on hand would work great, the ingredients in this salad are very versatile.
    • If you happen to be gluten free and still want to try this salad, try substituting the orzo for rice!
    • Add ½ tsp. of cumin and ½. teaspoon of chili powder for a little added spice.
    lemon orzo salad in a low bowl.

    Storage

    Store any leftover risoni salad in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days.

    The pasta will soak up the liquids the longer it sits. If you want to serve this pasta salad for a party, I would wait to add the lemon juice and olive oil until just before serving to have it be as fresh as possible.

    up close of orzo pasta salad.

    Lemon Orzo Salad with Feta

    Sarah Baumeister
    A fresh summer Lemon Orzo Salad with Feta cheese is perfect for BBQs and picnics. Full of veggies and herbs, you'll love this simple pasta salad!
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 15 minutes mins
    Total Time 15 minutes mins
    Course Salads
    Cuisine American
    Servings 6 servings
    Calories 294 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 cup dry orzo
    • ½ cup feta cheese
    • ¼ cup olive oil
    • 1 cup cherry tomatoes quartered
    • 1 cup frozen corn thawed
    • 2 celery stalks diced
    • 4 green onions diced
    • ¼ cup fresh parsley chopped
    • 2 garlic cloves minced
    • 1 lemon juiced
    • ½ tsp. salt

    Instructions
     

    • Cook orzo pasta according to packaging instructions.
    • In a medium sized mixing bowl, add minced garlic.
    • Drain and pour hot pasta over minced garlic to take away from of the bitterness.
    • Add remaining ingredients and stir to combine.
    • Enjoy warm or cold.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1gCalories: 294kcalCarbohydrates: 38gProtein: 8gFat: 13gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 9gCholesterol: 11mgSodium: 328mgFiber: 3gSugar: 4g
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Christine Dalphy says

      July 03, 2023 at 3:53 am

      I made this as a side for a BBQ potluck party. It was very fresh-tasting and was enjoyed by all. I have a small amount left over which I plan to eat with grilled chicken tomorrow. Delicious salad for the summer!

      Reply
      • Sarah says

        July 15, 2023 at 7:31 pm

        Christine! So happy to see your name pop up. I am glad you enjoyed this salad. 🙂
        -Sarah

        Reply

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    Hi, I'm Sarah! I am a wife, mother, and believer. I have been cooking since I could stand and am excited to share my love for being in the kitchen with all of you. You will find a variety of recipes here from healthy family dinners, to ways to prepare venison, to soups, to baked goods, we love it all!

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