Refreshing Orzo Salad with Sun-Dried Tomatoes and Feta
This Refreshing Orzo Salad with Sun-Dried Tomatoes and Feta is the ultimate summer side dish. After making it countless times for cookouts and potlucks, I’ve perfected the balance of flavors and textures. The fresh, tangy dressing and the mix of chewy orzo, tender vegetables, and briny feta make this salad irresistible. Keep reading for my best tips, or jump to the recipe card. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Try this refreshing Korean Strawberry Milk for a sweet treat and Pair this salad with an Easy Summer Yogurt Parfait for a light meal.
Why This Refreshing Orzo Salad with Sun-Dried Tomatoes and Feta Is Pure Comfort
- Light and refreshing, perfect for summer cookouts
- Easy to make with simple ingredients
- Packed with flavor from sun-dried tomatoes and feta
- Customizable with your favorite veggies
What You'll Need for 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 bell pepper
- Red onion
- Olive oil
- Red wine vinegar
- Dijon mustard
- Garlic
- Salt
- Pepper
- Fresh basil
- Optional: Chicken
- Optional: Shrimp
- Optional: Avocado
- Optional: Pine nuts
📝 Ingredient Notes
- Orzo: Substitute with rice or quinoa for a gluten-free option.
- Sun-dried tomatoes: Use oil-packed for extra flavor.
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Good quality olive oil — Enhances the dressing's flavor → See on Amazon
- Sharp kitchen knife — Makes prep work faster and safer → See on Amazon
How to Make Refreshing Orzo Salad with Sun-Dried Tomatoes and Feta
- Cook orzo according to package instructions: Drain and rinse under cold water.
- In a large bowl, combine cooked orzo, sun-dried tomatoes, cucumber, red bell pepper, and red onion.:
- In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, salt, and pepper.:
- Pour dressing over orzo mixture and toss to combine.:
- Add fresh basil and toss again. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve immediately or chill for later.:
Cook's Tips for Perfect Refreshing Orzo Salad with Sun-Dried Tomatoes and Feta
- Time-saving tip: Cook orzo ahead of time and store in the fridge to speed up prep.
- Common mistake and fix: Don't overcook orzo. It should have a slight bite to it. If it's too soft, rinse under cold water to firm it up.
- Make-ahead tip: Prepare the dressing separately and store in the fridge until ready to use. This helps the flavors meld together.
- Customization tip: Add your favorite protein or vegetables to make this a complete meal.
Storing & Reheating Refreshing Orzo Salad with Sun-Dried Tomatoes and Feta
Short-Term Storage
Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Make-ahead tip: Prepare the salad up to a day ahead, but add fresh basil just before serving.
Freezing Refreshing Orzo Salad with Sun-Dried Tomatoes and Feta
Not recommended for freezing.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Not applicable. Microwave: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: For a gluten-free option, substitute orzo with rice or quinoa.
- Best substitution: Use oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes for extra flavor.
- Make-ahead: Prepare the salad up to a day ahead, but add fresh basil just before serving.
- Scaling: This recipe can easily be doubled or halved depending on your needs.
- Troubleshooting: If the dressing seems too thick, add a little more olive oil or vinegar to thin it out.
Want to level up this recipe?
Good quality olive oil — Enhances the dressing's flavor → Check price on Amazon
Refreshing Orzo Salad with Sun-Dried Tomatoes and Feta
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- Orzo pasta
- Sun-dried tomatoes
- Feta cheese
- Cucumber
- Red bell pepper
- Red onion
Seasonings
- Olive oil
- Red wine vinegar
- Dijon mustard
- Garlic
- Salt
- Pepper
- Fresh basil
Optional Toppings
- Chicken
- Shrimp
- Avocado
- Pine nuts
Instructions
- Cook orzo according to package instructions: Drain and rinse under cold water.
- In a large bowl, combine cooked orzo, sun-dried tomatoes, cucumber, red bell pepper, and red onion.:
- In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, salt, and pepper.:
- Pour dressing over orzo mixture and toss to combine.:
- Add fresh basil and toss again. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve immediately or chill for later.:
Notes
- Chef tip: For a gluten-free option, substitute orzo with rice or quinoa.
- Best substitution: Use oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes for extra flavor.
- Make-ahead: Prepare the salad up to a day ahead, but add fresh basil just before serving.
- Scaling: This recipe can easily be doubled or halved depending on your needs.
- Troubleshooting: If the dressing seems too thick, add a little more olive oil or vinegar to thin it out.
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: Not recommended for freezing.
- Oven reheat: Not applicable.
- Microwave reheat: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through.
- Make ahead: Prepare the salad up to a day ahead, but add fresh basil just before serving.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 350
- Protein: 10g
- Fat: 18g
- Carbs: 35g
- Fiber: 3g
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Cholesterol: 25mg
- Sat. Fat: 5g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
Refreshing Orzo Salad with Sun-Dried Tomatoes and Feta FAQs
Yes, you can prepare the salad up to a day ahead, but add fresh basil just before serving.
Overcooking the orzo can make it absorb too much liquid. To prevent this, cook orzo al dente and rinse under cold water after cooking.
No, freezing can make the vegetables and orzo mushy. It's best to enjoy this salad fresh.
The air fryer is not suitable for cooking this salad. It's best to enjoy this salad at room temperature or chilled.
If you can't find sun-dried tomatoes, you can substitute them with cherry tomatoes or roasted red peppers.
A Warm Final Note
I can’t wait for you to try 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!
