Orzo Salad

By Lindsey McCue
@lynz39

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 your 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!

Rating:

★★★★★ 18 votes

Comments:

82 Comments

Serves:

Prep:

10 Min

Cook:

10 Min

Method:

Stove Top

Blue Ribbon Recipe

Notes from the Test Kitchen:
Don't forget to pack this salad on your next picnic! With no mayo and loads of flavor, this is a perfect picnic pick.

Ingredients

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

How to Make Orzo Salad

Step-by-Step

1In 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.
2Toss the orzo with the beans, tomatoes, red onion, basil, parsley and enough vinaigrette to coat.
3Season the salad to taste with salt and pepper. Serve at room temp. Add some crumbled feta cheese and toasted nuts (if using) before serving.