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 discovered the trick to keeping it crispy and tangy. The combination of fresh orzo, sun-dried tomatoes, and crumbled feta creates a symphony of Mediterranean flavors that will transport your taste buds to a Greek island. Keep reading for my best tips or jump to the recipe card. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Creamy Peach Protein Shake and Easy Mango Glazed Chicken.
Why This Best Refreshing Orzo Salad with Sun-Dried Tomatoes and Feta Is Pure Comfort
- Bursting with Mediterranean flavors
- Crispy orzo and tangy feta
- Ready in just 20 minutes
- Better than takeout
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 cup orzo pasta
- 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes
- 1/2 cup crumbled feta
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 3 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Optional: Chicken or shrimp, cooked and sliced
- Optional: Cucumber, diced
- Optional: Red onion, thinly sliced
📝 Ingredient Notes
- Orzo: Also known as risoni or kritharaki.
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Good quality olive oil — Enhances the Mediterranean flavors in this salad. → See on Amazon
- Sharp kitchen knife — Makes mincing garlic and chopping herbs a breeze. → See on Amazon
How to Make Best Refreshing Orzo Salad with Sun-Dried Tomatoes and Feta
- Cook orzo: Boil orzo according to package instructions. Drain and rinse under cold water.
- Prepare ingredients: Chop parsley, mince garlic, and dice sun-dried tomatoes. Crumble feta.
- Make dressing: Whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, salt, and pepper.
- Assemble salad: Toss orzo, sun-dried tomatoes, feta, and parsley with dressing. Add optional toppings if desired.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Best Refreshing Orzo Salad with Sun-Dried Tomatoes and Feta
- Common mistake and fix: Don't overcook the orzo. It should still have a slight bite to it. If it's too soft, the salad will be mushy.
- Pro tip: For a quicker version, use a good quality jarred sundried tomato pesto instead of making the dressing from scratch.
- Pro tip: Add grilled chicken or shrimp for a heartier meal.
Storing & Reheating Best Refreshing Orzo Salad with Sun-Dried Tomatoes and Feta
Short-Term Storage
Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Make-ahead tip: Can be made up to 1 day ahead. Add dressing just before serving.
Freezing Best Refreshing Orzo Salad with Sun-Dried Tomatoes and Feta
Not recommended.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Not necessary. Microwave: Not recommended.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: To prevent the salad from drying out, add a little more dressing just before serving.
- Best substitution: You can substitute the orzo with another small pasta shape like farfalle or fusilli.
- Make-ahead: The salad can be made up to 1 day ahead. Store in the fridge without the dressing.
- Troubleshooting: If the salad is too dry, add a little more olive oil and lemon juice.
Want to level up this recipe?
High-quality orzo pasta — Ensures the orzo cooks evenly and has the perfect texture for this salad. → Check price on Amazon
Best Refreshing Orzo Salad with Sun-Dried Tomatoes and Feta
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 cup orzo pasta
- 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes
- 1/2 cup crumbled feta
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
Seasonings
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 3 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Optional Toppings
- Chicken or shrimp, cooked and sliced
- Cucumber, diced
- Red onion, thinly sliced
Instructions
- Cook orzo: Boil orzo according to package instructions. Drain and rinse under cold water.
- Prepare ingredients: Chop parsley, mince garlic, and dice sun-dried tomatoes. Crumble feta.
- Make dressing: Whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, salt, and pepper.
- Assemble salad: Toss orzo, sun-dried tomatoes, feta, and parsley with dressing. Add optional toppings if desired.
Notes
- Chef tip: To prevent the salad from drying out, add a little more dressing just before serving.
- Best substitution: You can substitute the orzo with another small pasta shape like farfalle or fusilli.
- Make-ahead: The salad can be made up to 1 day ahead. Store in the fridge without the dressing.
- Troubleshooting: If the salad is too dry, add a little more olive oil and lemon juice.
Storage
- Fridge: Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: Not recommended.
- Oven reheat: Not necessary.
- Microwave reheat: Not recommended.
- Make ahead: Can be made up to 1 day ahead. Add dressing just before serving.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 350
- Protein: 9g
- Fat: 18g
- Carbs: 38g
- Fiber: 2g
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 500mg
- Cholesterol: 15mg
- Sat. Fat: 3g
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, you can make the salad ahead without the dressing. Add the dressing just before serving.
The orzo may have been overcooked or the salad wasn't dressed properly. Add more olive oil and lemon juice if needed.
Yes, grilled chicken or shrimp would be a great addition. Add it just before serving.
You can substitute the orzo with another small pasta shape like farfalle or fusilli.
Yes, orzo is made from rice, so it's gluten-free.
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!
