Best Refreshing Orzo Salad with Sun-Dried Tomatoes and Feta
This Refreshing Orzo Salad with Sun-Dried Tomatoes and Feta is the ultimate summer side dish. After making it dozens of times, I’ve discovered the trick to keeping it light and flavorful. The fresh Mediterranean ingredients come together in this crisp, tangy, and irresistible salad. Keep reading for my best tips or jump to the recipe card. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Easy Rhubarb Cream Cheese Bars Recipe for Spring Desserts and Authentic Jamaican Curry Chicken Recipe With Coconut Sauce.
Why This Best Refreshing Orzo Salad with Sun-Dried Tomatoes and Feta Is Pure Comfort
- Bursting with Mediterranean flavors
- Light and refreshing, perfect for summer
- Easy to make and better than takeout
- Versatile, serves as a side or light main
What You'll Need for Best Refreshing Orzo Salad with Sun-Dried Tomatoes and Feta
Choosing the right ingredients makes a big difference, but this recipe is forgiving enough to work with what you have.
- 1 lb orzo pasta
- 1 cup sun-dried tomatoes
- 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
- 1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 3 tbsp lemon juice
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Optional: Kalamata olives
- Optional: Red onion
- Optional: Artichoke hearts
- Optional: Cucumber
- Optional: Cherry tomatoes
📝 Ingredient Notes
- orzo pasta: Substitute with any small pasta shape if needed.
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Food processor — Chops ingredients quickly and evenly, saving time and effort. → See on Amazon
- High-quality olive oil — Enhances the flavor of the salad, making it taste homemade. → See on Amazon
How to Make Best Refreshing Orzo Salad with Sun-Dried Tomatoes and Feta
- Cook orzo: Cook orzo according to package instructions. Drain and rinse under cold water. Set aside.
- Prepare ingredients: Chop sun-dried tomatoes, parsley, and any optional toppings. Mince garlic and crumble feta.
- Make dressing: Whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, oregano, salt, and pepper. Adjust seasoning to taste.
- Assemble salad: In a large bowl, combine cooked orzo, sun-dried tomatoes, feta, parsley, and optional toppings. Pour dressing over the salad and toss to combine.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Best Refreshing Orzo Salad with Sun-Dried Tomatoes and Feta
- Time-saving tip: Prepare ingredients while orzo is cooking to save time.
- Common mistake and fix: Avoid overcooking orzo to prevent it from becoming mushy. Test pasta 1-2 minutes before the package instructions suggest it's done.
- Make-ahead tip: Prepare the salad up to a day ahead. Store in the refrigerator without dressing. Add dressing just before serving.
- Nutrition tip: Add more vegetables like cucumber or bell peppers to increase the salad's nutritional value.
Storing & Reheating Best Refreshing Orzo Salad with Sun-Dried Tomatoes and Feta
Short-Term Storage
Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Make-ahead tip: Prepare the salad up to a day ahead. Store in the refrigerator without dressing. Add dressing just before serving.
Freezing Best Refreshing Orzo Salad with Sun-Dried Tomatoes and Feta
Not suitable for freezing.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Not necessary, as the salad is best served cold or at room temperature. Microwave: Gently reheat in the microwave for 15-20 seconds if desired.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: For a spicy kick, add some red pepper flakes or chopped fresh chili to the dressing.
- Best substitution: Substitute feta with crumbled goat cheese or shaved Parmesan for a different flavor profile.
- Make-ahead: Prepare the salad up to a day ahead. Store in the refrigerator without dressing. Add dressing just before serving.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or tripled to serve a crowd.
- Troubleshooting: If the salad seems dry, add more olive oil or lemon juice to the dressing.
Want to level up this recipe?
High-quality feta cheese — Improves the flavor of the salad, making it taste authentic and homemade. → Check price on Amazon
Best Refreshing Orzo Salad with Sun-Dried Tomatoes and Feta
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb orzo pasta
- 1 cup sun-dried tomatoes
- 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
- 1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley
Seasonings
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 3 tbsp lemon juice
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Optional Toppings
- Kalamata olives
- Red onion
- Artichoke hearts
- Cucumber
- Cherry tomatoes
Instructions
- Cook orzo: Cook orzo according to package instructions. Drain and rinse under cold water. Set aside.
- Prepare ingredients: Chop sun-dried tomatoes, parsley, and any optional toppings. Mince garlic and crumble feta.
- Make dressing: Whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, oregano, salt, and pepper. Adjust seasoning to taste.
- Assemble salad: In a large bowl, combine cooked orzo, sun-dried tomatoes, feta, parsley, and optional toppings. Pour dressing over the salad and toss to combine.
Notes
- Chef tip: For a spicy kick, add some red pepper flakes or chopped fresh chili to the dressing.
- Best substitution: Substitute feta with crumbled goat cheese or shaved Parmesan for a different flavor profile.
- Make-ahead: Prepare the salad up to a day ahead. Store in the refrigerator without dressing. Add dressing just before serving.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or tripled to serve a crowd.
- Troubleshooting: If the salad seems dry, add more olive oil or lemon juice to the dressing.
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- Freezer: Not suitable for freezing.
- Oven reheat: Not necessary, as the salad is best served cold or at room temperature.
- Microwave reheat: Gently reheat in the microwave for 15-20 seconds if desired.
- Make ahead: Prepare the salad up to a day ahead. Store in the refrigerator without dressing. Add dressing just before serving.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 420
- Protein: 12g
- Fat: 18g
- Carbs: 55g
- Fiber: 3g
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 650mg
- Cholesterol: 20mg
- Sat. Fat: 4.5g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
Best Refreshing Orzo Salad with Sun-Dried Tomatoes and Feta FAQs
Yes, prepare the salad up to a day ahead. Store in the refrigerator without dressing. Add dressing just before serving.
If the salad seems dry, add more olive oil or lemon juice to the dressing. You can also add more vegetables or chopped herbs to increase moisture.
This recipe is not suitable for the air fryer, as it's a cold salad.
Substitute feta with crumbled goat cheese or shaved Parmesan for a different flavor profile.
Not recommended, as the salad contains fresh vegetables and cheese that do not freeze well.
A Warm Final Note
I can’t wait for you to try Best Refreshing Orzo Salad with Sun-Dried Tomatoes and Feta and see how effortlessly it comes together. When you make it, pop back here and leave a rating or share how it turned out — I love hearing from you!
