Salad With Orzo and Feta

I’ve made this leafy feta orzo salad recipe no less than 4 occasions within the final two weeks! It’s a brilliant and attractive summer season salad with crisp romaine lettuce, creamy avocado, and crumbly feta, bulked up with tender orzo pasta.

I really like summer-inspired recipes like this feta orzo salad and my simple Mediterranean salad. Simply give every thing a toss in a tangy lemon dressing and dig in!

This brilliant and contemporary inexperienced salad with orzo and feta is sort of a peek into my food-brain. It’s half pasta salad, half leafy salad, and it’s how I eat every single day: avocados, feta cheese, after which a wide range of every thing else. I layered in some crisp lettuce, tender orzo (which, regardless of its rice-looking form, is 100% pasta), and ripe grape tomatoes, and bam! The household cleaned out the salad bowl in a single sitting.

Why I Love This Straightforward Salad With Orzo and Feta

• Recent elements. This salad combines the perfect of summer season’s elements into one bowlful. It’s tremendous contemporary and flavorful, particularly once I make it after a visit to the farmer’s market.
• Satisfying. I really like the best way that orzo pasta and avocado bulk up this salad. It’s an awesome meatless meal, or you may bulk it up with add-ons like protein, crispy chickpeas, chickpea patties, and many others. I share some concepts additional on.
• Fast. Chop the remainder of your elements whereas the orzo boils on the range. By the point the pasta is cooked, all that’s left to do is put all of it along with the zesty lemon dressing.

Salad Substances

I might very effectively reside on avocados alone, however they’re even higher in a salad! With their scrumptious taste and creamy texture, avocados may be nature’s greatest product, ever. Fortunate for me, my children additionally love ‘em. I’ve been including avocados to hummus, sandwiches, and lots of, many salads, together with this one with feta and orzo. 

You’ll discover some fast ingredient notes right here. Scroll right down to the recipe card for a printable record with the complete recipe particulars.

• Lettuce – I really like the crispness of chopped romaine, however you should use any lettuce you’d like. Inexperienced leaf, iceberg lettuce, mesclun, arugula, or any mixture of leaves would style nice. You possibly can even make a spinach and orzo salad with darker greens.
• Orzo – You’ll must cook dinner the orzo for this salad based on the instructions on the bundle. I normally intention for al dente, so tender however nonetheless a bit agency within the center.
• Avocado – Select a ripe, darkish avocado that’s agency (not laborious) to the contact. My favorites are Hass avocados once they’re in season. 
• Tomatoes – Grape or cherry tomatoes are bursting with sweetness this time of the yr, in order that’s what I take advantage of. Be happy to cut up any ripe tomatoes, together with bigger varieties like Roma or heirloom.
• Feta Cheese – Cubed or crumbled into small items. Good substitutes are goat cheese or shaved parmesan.

Easy methods to Make Feta Orzo Salad

Assembling this crunchy salad with orzo is simpler than a stroll within the park. It’s a stroll to the fridge and again, principally. In a bowl, layer the chopped romaine lettuce with cooked and cooled orzo, avocado, and tomatoes. Crumble over the feta. Subsequent, all it’s good to do is whisk up the dressing elements, pour that over the salad, and toss!

Straightforward Lemon Dressing

I’ve tried a couple of scrumptious dressings for this feta orzo salad, however I all the time come again to this easy however punchy lemon and olive oil combo, which can also be a favourite in my bulgur salad. Take out a bowl and a whisk, or do it my method and mix every thing in a mason jar with a tight-fitting lid. 

The dressing begins with olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper, and you may add any contemporary or dried herbs you’d like. I take advantage of dried thyme, however basil, oregano, cilantro, or an Italian seasoning mix additionally works nice right here. As soon as your dressing elements are in, whisk or shake them effectively to emulsify. You’re able to drizzle!

Serving Ideas

This contemporary and lightweight salad with orzo and feta is one among my favourite summer season lunches. I’ll prime it with leftover hen breast or crispy falafel for a filling meal with a glass of Pinot Grigio by the pool. On another event, this salad is a straightforward aspect dish to convey out at barbecues and potlucks.

It goes nice with grilling recipes like steak kebabs or grilled zucchini. Or, I’ll serve it with burgers as an off-the-cuff dinner with the fam. My suggestion to you is to make an enormous bowl of it, seize a couple of forks, and go at it like we did!

How Lengthy Do Leftovers Final within the Fridge?

For the reason that romaine leaves will begin to wilt after some time, this salad with orzo is greatest when it’s eaten straight away. If it’s good to retailer any extras, refrigerate the salad hermetic and luxuriate in it inside a day or two.

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