Best Refreshing Orzo Salad with Sun-Dried Tomatoes and Feta
This Refreshing Orzo Salad with Sun-Dried Tomatoes and Feta is the perfect summer side dish. After making it countless times for cookouts, I’ve discovered the secret to keeping it light and flavorful. The combination of crisp orzo, tangy feta, and chewy sun-dried tomatoes creates a irresistible texture and taste that everyone will love. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Iced Blue Tea Latte Recipe with Vanilla Cold Foam and Fresh Grilled Corn Avocado Salad with Cherry Tomatoes.
Why This Best Refreshing Orzo Salad with Sun-Dried Tomatoes and Feta Is Pure Comfort
- Light and refreshing
- Bursting with Mediterranean flavors
- Perfect for summer cookouts
- Easy to make ahead
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.
- Orzo pasta
- Sun-dried tomatoes
- Feta cheese
- Cucumber
- Red onion
- Olive oil
- Red wine vinegar
- Garlic
- Dried oregano
- Salt
- Pepper
- Optional: Fresh basil
- Optional: Pine nuts
- Optional: Kalamata olives
📝 Ingredient Notes
- Orzo: Also known as risoni, it's a type of short-cut rice-shaped pasta.
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Good quality olive oil — Enhances the Mediterranean flavors → See on Amazon
- Sharp kitchen knife — Makes chopping vegetables quick and easy → 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.
- Chop vegetables: Finely chop cucumber, red onion, and sun-dried tomatoes. Crumble feta into small pieces.
- Make dressing: Whisk together olive oil, red wine vinegar, minced garlic, dried oregano, salt, and pepper.
- Combine ingredients: In a large bowl, combine cooked orzo, chopped vegetables, and dressing. Toss until well coated.
- Chill and serve: Chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. Serve with optional toppings.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Best Refreshing Orzo Salad with Sun-Dried Tomatoes and Feta
- Common mistake and fix: Avoid overcooking the orzo. It should have a slight bite to it. If it's too soft, it will absorb too much dressing and become mushy.
- Pro tip: For a quicker version, use leftover cooked orzo and chop the vegetables while the orzo is cooking.
- Pro tip: To prevent the salad from becoming watery, remove excess moisture from the cucumber by slicing it in half lengthwise and scooping out the seeds before chopping.
- Pro tip: For a more substantial meal, add grilled chicken or shrimp to the salad.
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 in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Make-ahead tip: Can be made up to 1 day ahead. Store in the refrigerator and let sit at room temperature for 15 minutes before serving.
Freezing Best Refreshing Orzo Salad with Sun-Dried Tomatoes and Feta
Not recommended for freezing.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Not applicable. Microwave: Not applicable.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: For a tangier dressing, add a splash of lemon juice.
- Best substitution: Substitute orzo with quinoa or couscous for a gluten-free version.
- Make-ahead: This salad improves in flavor as it sits, making it perfect for meal prepping.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or halved to serve more or fewer people.
- Troubleshooting: If the salad becomes too dry, add a little more olive oil and vinegar before serving.
Want to level up this recipe?
High-quality feta cheese — Makes a huge difference in flavor → Check price on Amazon
Best Refreshing Orzo Salad with Sun-Dried Tomatoes and Feta
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- Orzo pasta
- Sun-dried tomatoes
- Feta cheese
- Cucumber
- Red onion
Seasonings
- Olive oil
- Red wine vinegar
- Garlic
- Dried oregano
- Salt
- Pepper
Optional Toppings
- Fresh basil
- Pine nuts
- Kalamata olives
Instructions
- Cook orzo: Cook orzo according to package instructions. Drain and rinse under cold water. Set aside.
- Chop vegetables: Finely chop cucumber, red onion, and sun-dried tomatoes. Crumble feta into small pieces.
- Make dressing: Whisk together olive oil, red wine vinegar, minced garlic, dried oregano, salt, and pepper.
- Combine ingredients: In a large bowl, combine cooked orzo, chopped vegetables, and dressing. Toss until well coated.
- Chill and serve: Chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. Serve with optional toppings.
Notes
- Chef tip: For a tangier dressing, add a splash of lemon juice.
- Best substitution: Substitute orzo with quinoa or couscous for a gluten-free version.
- Make-ahead: This salad improves in flavor as it sits, making it perfect for meal prepping.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or halved to serve more or fewer people.
- Troubleshooting: If the salad becomes too dry, add a little more olive oil and vinegar before serving.
Storage
- Fridge: Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- Freezer: Not recommended for freezing.
- Oven reheat: Not applicable.
- Microwave reheat: Not applicable.
- Make ahead: Can be made up to 1 day ahead. Store in the refrigerator and let sit at room temperature for 15 minutes before serving.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 350
- Protein: 10g
- Fat: 18g
- Carbs: 38g
- Fiber: 3g
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Cholesterol: 30mg
- Sat. Fat: 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, it's perfect for making ahead. Store in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
To prevent this, remove excess moisture from the cucumber and don't overcook the orzo.
No, it's not gluten-free as it contains orzo pasta. However, you can make it gluten-free by substituting orzo with quinoa or couscous.
No, this recipe is not suitable for the air fryer. It's a cold salad that's best made in a bowl.
You can substitute sun-dried tomatoes with fresh cherry tomatoes or roasted red peppers.
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!
