orzo salad

Name: Orzo Salad
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 10 min
Yield: 6
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 4 cup(s) chicken stock; 1 1/2 cup(s) orzo pasta; 1 can(s) garbanzo beans (15 oz.); 1 1/2 cup(s) grape, cherry, or teardrop tomatoes, halved; 3/4 cup(s) finely chopped red onion; 1/2 cup(s) chopped fresh basil; 1/4 cup(s) chopped fresh parsley or mint; 3/4 cup(s) vinaigrette (recipe follows); - salt and pepper, to taste; - crumbled Feta cheese (optional); - toasted pine or walnuts roughly chopped (optional); ## VINAIGRETTE DRESSING:; 1/2 cup(s) rice wine vinegar; 1/4 cup(s) fresh lemon juice; 2 teaspoon(s) honey; 2 teaspoon(s) salt; 1 cup(s) extra virgin olive oil

(18 RATINGS)

7.69K Pinches 16 Photos

Lindsey McCue

los angeles, CA

Updated on Apr 23, 2022

This is a favorite salad I make often. It's so versatile you can really make it your own easily! Make sure to taste the dressing as you are making it to adjust to your liking! And add as little or as much as you'd like. I also added about 1/2 cup or so of cooked wild rice to the mix this time and it was excellent.

Rate

Blue Ribbon Recipe

Don't forget to pack this orzo salad for your next picnic. With no mayo and loads of flavor, this is a perfect picnic pick. The mixture of fresh basil and tomatoes makes it taste like pure summer sunshine. Poured over the orzo salad is a wonderful dressing that's a little tangy and a little sweet. It complements all the fresh ingredients. Full of flavor and texture, it's easy to make and ready to serve immediately.

— The Test Kitchen

prep time 10 Min

cook time 10 Min

method Stove Top

yield 6 serving(s)

Ingredients

4 cups chicken stock
1 1/2 cups orzo pasta
1 can garbanzo beans (15 oz.)
1 1/2 cups grape, cherry, or teardrop tomatoes, halved
3/4 cup finely chopped red onion
1/2 cup chopped fresh basil
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley or mint
3/4 cup vinaigrette (recipe follows)
- salt and pepper, to taste
- crumbled Feta cheese (optional)
- toasted pine or walnuts roughly chopped (optional)
VINAIGRETTE DRESSING:
1/2 cup rice wine vinegar
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
2 teaspoons honey
2 teaspoons salt
1 cup extra virgin olive oil

How To Make orzo salad

Test Kitchen Tips

We did not use all the vinaigrette for the salad so you may have extra.

Step 1

In a medium saucepan bring the chicken stock to a boil. Stir in orzo and cook until tender but still firm to the bite, stirring frequently (about 7 min). Drain the orzo and toss in a large bowl until it cools slightly. (I usually add a tiny bit of olive oil so it doesn't clump together.) Set aside to cool completely.

Step 2

Toss the orzo with the beans, tomatoes, red onion, basil, and parsley.
Step 3

Make the vinaigrette.
Step 4

Add the vinaigrette until the salad is just coated.
Step 5

Season the salad to taste with salt and pepper.
Step 6

Serve at room temp. Add some crumbled Feta cheese and toasted nuts (if using) before serving.
Last Step: Don't forget to share! Post a picture of your finished recipe here and on your favorite social network. Don't forget to tag Just A Pinch and include #justapinchrecipes!

Discover More

Comment & Reviews

Just A Pinch Sweepstakes