Lemon Herb Orzo Salad (Print Version)

Orzo, fresh herbs, and zesty lemon combine with tomatoes for a bright Mediterranean-inspired main or side.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Pasta

01 - 1 1/4 cups orzo pasta

→ Vegetables & Herbs

02 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
03 - 1/2 cup cucumber, diced
04 - 1/4 cup red onion, finely diced
05 - 1/2 cup fresh parsley, chopped
06 - 1/4 cup fresh basil, thinly sliced
07 - 2 tablespoons fresh dill, chopped

→ Dressing

08 - 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
09 - Juice and zest of 1 large lemon
10 - 1 small garlic clove, minced
11 - 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup
12 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
13 - 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

→ Optional Additions

14 - 1/2 cup feta cheese, crumbled
15 - 1/4 cup toasted pine nuts

# How to Make It:

01 - Bring a medium pot of salted water to a boil. Add orzo and cook until al dente, about 8 to 10 minutes. Drain thoroughly and set aside.
02 - In a large mixing bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, minced garlic, honey, salt, and black pepper until fully emulsified.
03 - Add warm, drained orzo to the bowl with dressing. Toss gently to ensure even coating while the pasta is still warm.
04 - Fold in cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, parsley, basil, and dill. If desired, add crumbled feta cheese and toasted pine nuts.
05 - Sample and adjust seasoning with extra salt, black pepper, or a splash of lemon juice to balance flavors.
06 - Serve the salad warm or at room temperature according to preference. Garnish with extra herbs if desired.

# Additional Tips::

01 -
  • Easy enough for busy nights and special enough for guests
  • Packed with herbs and tangy citrus that wake up your palate
  • Can be served warm or at room temperature which makes it perfect for picnics
  • Customizable with your favorite mix-ins like feta or pine nuts
02 -
  • High in fiber thanks to the veggies and whole herbs
  • Vegetarian and simple to adapt for vegan diets
  • Ideal for make-ahead as flavors deepen over time
03 -
  • Never rinse the cooked orzo unless you plan to cool it completely If you want a warm salad the starch helps the dressing cling and gives a creamy finish
  • Letting the salad sit for at least fifteen minutes before serving makes a big difference The flavors have time to blend and intensify
  • Toast your pine nuts in a dry skillet for just a couple of minutes Be careful they go from golden to burnt very quickly

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