Herbed Lemon Orzo Salad is super easy to make, fresh, and flavorful! It is perfect in the Spring and Summer. Just cook the orzo and toss with the remaining ingredients. Serve alongside roasted veggies, grilled chicken, or fish. Or have on its own!
What You'll Need for the Orzo Salad:
- Orzo Pasta - can also substitute another short cut pasta shape
- Green Onions
- Fresh Dill
- Fresh Parsley
- Cucumber
- Red Onion
- Lemon Dressing: Lemons, Olive Oil, Salt, Pepper, Honey
How to make this recipe:
- Cook the Orzo Pasta: First, start the water boiling and cook the orzo according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
- Prep The Veggies and Herbs: While the orzo cooks, chop up the veggies and herbs. I like them cut into small uniform pieces.
- Make the Lemon Dressing: Mix up the lemon dressing ingredients. You can whisk everything together in a bowl or shake it up in a mason jar.
- Toss together the Salad: Toss the cooked orzo, veggies, herbs, and lemon dressing together. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.
- Serve and enjoy! The salad can be served at room temperature or straight from the fridge. I prefer to let it sit at room temp for 5-10 minutes when taking it out of the fridge.
What is Orzo?
Orzo is a short-cut pasta that is shaped like a large grain of rice. It typically cooks in boiling water for 7-10 minutes and is often used in soups.
I can't find or don't have orzo, what can I use instead?
You can substitute a different pasta shape! I'd recommend sticking to another short shape - elbows, penne, rotini, etc. Although Orzo is shaped like rice, I would not substitute rice in this recipe.
What should I serve with this Lemon Orzo Salad?
This pasta salad is excellent alongside almost any protein. Chicken or fish would be awesome. Or a vegetarian protein as well. I love grilling chicken or shrimp and serving this salad on the side. It's also excellent alongside some roasted or grilled vegetables.
PrintRecipe
Herbed Lemon Orzo Salad
Herbed Lemon Orzo Salad is super easy to make, fresh, and flavorful! It is perfect in the Spring and Summer. Serve alongside roasted veggies, grilled chicken, or fish. Or have on its own!
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 6-8 servings
- Category: Meatless Monday, Pasta, Salad, Sides
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Orzo Pasta Salad
- 1 lb orzo pasta
- 1 cup thinly sliced green onions
- ⅓ cup chopped fresh dill
- 1 cup chopped fresh parsley
- 1 large cucumber, diced
- 1 small red onion, diced
- Kosher salt and pepper
Lemon Dressing
- 2 large lemons, zested and juiced
- ⅓ cup olive oil
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
Instructions
- Cook the Orzo Pasta. First, start the water boiling and cook the orzo according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
- Prep the Veggies and Herbs. While the orzo cooks, chop up the veggies and herbs. I like everything cut into small, uniform pieces.
- Make the Lemon Dressing. Mix up the lemon dressing ingredients. You can whisk everything together in a bowl or shake it up in a mason jar.
- Toss together the Salad. Toss the cooked orzo, veggies, herbs, and lemon dressing together. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.
- Serve and Enjoy! The salad can be served at room temperature or straight from the fridge. If taking it from the fridge, I prefer to let it sit at room temperature for 5-10 minutes first.
Notes
Orzo - If you can't find orzo, you can substitute a different pasta shape. I recommend using another short shape like elbows, penne, rotini, etc.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: ⅙ of recipe
- Calories: 421
- Sugar: 7.2 g
- Sodium: 220.7 mg
- Fat: 13.8 g
- Carbohydrates: 64.8 g
- Fiber: 3.5 g
- Protein: 10.8 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
Keywords: Orzo salad, pasta salad, lemon pasta salad
Emma says
I really like this dish. The flavors are so yummy. I make this a little different though...I buy chicken and cut it up then I saute it in a pan with all the veggies and herbs. I do add banana peppers and green bell. And I mess with the seasoning a little bit. I skip out on the honey and add like salt, pepper, chili powder, garlic, oregano maybe some paprika...couple other things. So mine comes out as a warm dish instead of room temp or cold. Love the recipe though!! Thanks!
★★★★★
Kathleen says
Thank you for sharing! Your swaps changes sound delicious 🙂