Best Refreshing Orzo Salad with Sun-Dried Tomatoes and Feta
This Refreshing Orzo Salad with Sun-Dried Tomatoes and Feta is the perfect side dish for summer cookouts. After making it dozens of times, I’ve discovered the trick to keeping it light and refreshing is to toss the orzo in olive oil while it’s still warm. This helps the pasta absorb the flavor and stay tender. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Easy Spanish Potato Soup with Chorizo and Easy Baked Sea Bass with Olives and Cherry Tomatoes.
Why This Best Refreshing Orzo Salad with Sun-Dried Tomatoes and Feta Is Pure Comfort
- Light and refreshing
- Bursting with Mediterranean flavors
- Easy to make and ready in 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.
- Orzo pasta
- Sun-dried tomatoes
- Feta cheese
- Red onion
- Fresh basil
- Olive oil
- Lemon juice
- Garlic
- Salt
- Pepper
- Optional: Pine nuts
- Optional: Fresh parsley
📝 Ingredient Notes
- Orzo pasta: You can use whole wheat orzo for a healthier option.
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Good quality olive oil — Enhances the Mediterranean flavors → See on Amazon
- Sharp kitchen knife — Makes chopping ingredients 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.
- Prepare ingredients: Chop sun-dried tomatoes, red onion, and fresh basil. Crumble feta cheese.
- Make dressing: Whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, salt, and pepper.
- Toss salad: In a large bowl, combine warm orzo, sun-dried tomatoes, red onion, and basil. Pour dressing over the top and toss to combine.
- Add toppings: Top with crumbled feta, pine nuts, and fresh parsley (if using).
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 soggy.
- Substitution: You can substitute the sun-dried tomatoes with cherry tomatoes for a fresher flavor.
- Make-ahead: This salad can be made up to a day ahead. Store in the fridge and let it come to room temperature before serving.
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 fridge for up to 3 days. Make-ahead tip: Yes, up to a day ahead.
Freezing Best Refreshing Orzo Salad with Sun-Dried Tomatoes and Feta
Not suitable for freezing.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Not necessary. Let it come to room temperature before serving. Microwave: Not recommended. The orzo can become mushy.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: Toss the orzo in olive oil while it's still warm to help it absorb the flavor and stay tender.
- Best substitution: Substitute the sun-dried tomatoes with cherry tomatoes for a fresher flavor.
- Make-ahead: This salad can be made up to a day ahead. Store in the fridge and let it come to room temperature before serving.
- Scaling: This recipe can easily be doubled or tripled for larger gatherings.
- Troubleshooting: If the salad is too dry, add a bit more olive oil and lemon juice. If it's too wet, let it sit for a few minutes to allow the orzo to absorb some of the liquid.
Want to level up this recipe?
Good quality olive oil — Enhances the Mediterranean flavors → Check price on Amazon
Best Refreshing Orzo Salad with Sun-Dried Tomatoes and Feta
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- Orzo pasta
- Sun-dried tomatoes
- Feta cheese
- Red onion
- Fresh basil
Seasonings
- Olive oil
- Lemon juice
- Garlic
- Salt
- Pepper
Optional Toppings
- Pine nuts
- Fresh parsley
Instructions
- Cook orzo: Cook orzo according to package instructions. Drain and rinse under cold water.
- Prepare ingredients: Chop sun-dried tomatoes, red onion, and fresh basil. Crumble feta cheese.
- Make dressing: Whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, salt, and pepper.
- Toss salad: In a large bowl, combine warm orzo, sun-dried tomatoes, red onion, and basil. Pour dressing over the top and toss to combine.
- Add toppings: Top with crumbled feta, pine nuts, and fresh parsley (if using).
Notes
- Chef tip: Toss the orzo in olive oil while it's still warm to help it absorb the flavor and stay tender.
- Best substitution: Substitute the sun-dried tomatoes with cherry tomatoes for a fresher flavor.
- Make-ahead: This salad can be made up to a day ahead. Store in the fridge and let it come to room temperature before serving.
- Scaling: This recipe can easily be doubled or tripled for larger gatherings.
- Troubleshooting: If the salad is too dry, add a bit more olive oil and lemon juice. If it's too wet, let it sit for a few minutes to allow the orzo to absorb some of the liquid.
Storage
- Fridge: Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: Not suitable for freezing.
- Oven reheat: Not necessary. Let it come to room temperature before serving.
- Microwave reheat: Not recommended. The orzo can become mushy.
- Make ahead: Yes, up to a day ahead.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 350
- Protein: 12g
- Fat: 15g
- Carbs: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 500mg
- Cholesterol: 25mg
- Sat. Fat: 4g
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 can be made up to a day ahead. Store in the fridge and let it come to room temperature before serving.
Overcooking the orzo can lead to a soggy salad. Make sure to cook it according to package instructions and drain well.
Yes, you can substitute the sun-dried tomatoes with cherry tomatoes for a fresher flavor.
Yes, as long as you use gluten-free orzo, this salad is gluten-free.
No, it's not suitable for freezing. The orzo can become mushy when thawed.
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!
