It’s officially bbq season, and if you ask me, no proper cookout is complete without a good pasta salad. Loaded with tons of fresh herbs, briny olives, crunchy kale, creamy vegan feta, and the best tangy dressing, this Mediterranean-inspired orzo salad is sure to be a hit at all the summer get togethers! 

Mediterranean-Inspired Orzo Salad with Fresh Herbs and Vegan Feta

With the arrival of barbecue season, it’s time to indulge in delicious and vibrant dishes that complement all the upcoming summer gatherings (YAY!). In my humble opinion, one dish that’s an absolute must-have for any cookout is pasta salad, and this Mediterranean-inspired orzo salad is sure to be a crowd-pleaser! Packed with fresh herbs, briny olives, crunchy kale, creamy vegan feta, and a tangy dressing, this salad will elevate your summer get-togethers to a whole new level! Grab a drink and let’s make your new favorite pasta salad!

Ingredients for Mediterranean-Inspired Orzo Salad

Here’s a list of everything you’ll need to make this pasta salad, plus any substitutions!

For the Dressing:

• Vegan mayonnaise: provides a rich and smooth texture to the dressing. Popular vegan mayonnaise brands include Hellman’s, Vegenaise, and Best Foods. You can find vegan mayonnaise in well-stocked grocery stores, health food stores, or online.
• Red wine vinegar: adds a tangy and slightly fruity flavor to the dressing. If you don’t have red wine vinegar, you can substitute it with white wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar.
• Garlic: I like to use fresh garlic, but feel free to use pre-minced garlic if you prefer.
• Dijon mustard
• Fresh lemon juice
• Seasonings: Italian seasoning, sugar, red pepper flakes, salt and pepper

For the Salad:

• Orzo pasta: a small rice-shaped pasta that is traditionally used in Mediterranean and Italian cuisine. It can usually be found in the pasta aisle of most grocery stores. If you don’t have orzo, you can substitute it with another small-shaped pasta such as ditalini or small shells.
• Kale: a leafy green vegetable that adds a refreshing crunch to the salad. It is widely available in grocery stores. If you’re unable to find kale, you can substitute it with baby spinach or arugula.
• Red bell peppers: you can use yellow or orange bell peppers instead.
• Cucumber: English cucumbers or Persian cucumbers are often used in Mediterranean cuisine due to their mild flavor and thin skin. They can be found in most grocery stores.
• Sun-dried tomatoes: these intensely flavored tomatoes add a rich and savory note to the salad. Sun-dried tomatoes can be found either in the produce section or in jars in the condiments aisle of most grocery stores. I prefer the ones packed in oil for this recipe.
• Red onions
• Artichoke
• Black and green olives
• Vegan feta
• Dill and basil

Step-by-Step Instructions

I love this Mediterranean-Inspired Orzo Salad because it’s easy to prepare, perfect for meal-prep, and you can enjoy it at room temp or chilled! Here’s how to make it in just three easy steps!

1. The Dressing:

Whisk all the ingredients together in a large bowl until well combined. Set aside. 

2. Cook the Orzo & Veggies!

Cook the orzo according to the package directions. Drain, but do not rinse. Transfer the orzo to the large bowl with the kale and toss with the dressing and all the remaining salad ingredients aside from the vegan feta and herbs. This salad can be served immediately, but I like to cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving.

3. Garnish and enjoy!

To serve, garnish with the queso fresco, minced dill, and chopped basil. Enjoy!

Tips & FAQs

Storage:

Store any leftover orzo salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It can be kept refrigerated for up to 3-4 days. However, note that the texture of the salad may change slightly over time as the ingredients marinate together.

Make Ahead:

This salad is great for making ahead of time. You can prepare the dressing and cook the orzo in advance. Keep them separate until you’re ready to assemble the salad. Toss the salad with the dressing and other ingredients just before serving or refrigerate them separately and combine them later.

Additional Tips:

1. Customization: feel free to customize the salad by adding or substituting ingredients based on your preferences. You can include additional vegetables such as cherry tomatoes, roasted red peppers, or grilled zucchini. You can also incorporate protein sources like chickpeas, seasoned chick’n, or grilled tofu for a heartier option.
2. Cooking the orzo: follow the cooking instructions on the package for the orzo pasta. It is important not to overcook the orzo to maintain its texture and prevent it from becoming mushy. It should be al dente, cooked but still slightly firm to the bite.
3. Serving suggestions: this Mediterranean-inspired orzo salad can be served as a side dish or a light main course. It pairs well with all your summer bbq faves You can also serve it alongside crusty bread or pita chips for a delicious lunch or light dinner!
4. Make it gluten-free: To make this recipe gluten-free, swap the regular orzo pasta with gluten-free orzo or any other gluten-free small pasta shape.

More Recipes for All Your Summer Festivities

• Cheeseburger Pasta Salad
• Bang Bang Tofu Lettuce Wraps
• Caesar Pasta Salad
• Lettuce Wrap-Inspired Summer Rolls
• Cheesy Potato Stacks

Cheers to Pasta Salad Season!!!

I hope you love these Mediterranean-Inspired Orzo Salad as much as I do! If you try this dish and enjoy it, I wanna know! Snap a photo, take a video, or make a story and post it to Instagram or TikTok, and tag me at @eat_figs_not_pigs and #EatFigsNotPigs. I love seeing your recreations of my recipes!

Til next time, friends!

XO!

Mediterranean-Inspired Orzo Salad

Ashley

It’s officially bbq season, and if you ask me, no proper cookout is complete without a good pasta salad. Loaded with tons of fresh herbs, briny olives, crunchy kale, creamy vegan feta, and the best tangy dressing, this Mediterranean-inspired orzo salad is sure to be a hit at all the summer get togethers!

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 15 minutes mins

Course Lunch/Dinner, Pasta, Pasta Salad, Side Dish

Cuisine Mediterranean-Inspired

Servings 6

Ingredients

  

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Dressing

• 6 tablespoons vegan mayonnaise
• 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
• 4 cloves garlic minced
• 1 tablespoons Dijon mustard
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• ½ teaspoon vegan-friendly granulated sugar
• ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
• ½ teaspoon kosher salt plus more to taste
• ½ teaspoon ground black pepper plus more to taste

Salad

• 8 ounces uncooked orzo pasta
• 2 packed cups destemmed and finely chopped kale
• ¾ cup chopped red bell peppers
• ¾ cup diced cucumber
• ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes drained and chopped
• ½ cup thinly sliced red onions
• ½ cup artichoke hearts chopped
• ½ cup pitted black olives sliced
• ½ cup pitted green olives sliced

Garnishes, optional

• Vegan feta
• Minced Dill
• Minced Basil

Instructions

 

• To make the dressing, whisk all the ingredients together in a large bowl until well combined. Set aside.
• Cook the orzo according to the package directions. Drain, but do not rinse. Transfer the orzo to the large bowl with the kale and toss with the dressing and all the remaining salad ingredients aside from the vegan feta and herbs. This salad can be served immediately, but I like to cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving.
• To serve, garnish with the queso fresco, minced dill, and chopped basil. Enjoy!

Keyword 30 Minute Meal, Budget-Friendly, can be made gluten free, easy vegan recipe, make-ahead salad, Mediterranean-inspired orzo salad, pasta salad recipe, summer bbq recipes, vegan orzo salad

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