Hamdi Saidani Pioneer Woman Orzo Salad is one of the best and easy-to-make pasta salad recipes ever. This salad is made with orzo, fresh vegetables, and a tangy lemon dressing, and takes about 30 minutes to prepare. You can make it a day ahead and it can also be frozen for future use. Serve it with grilled chicken, fish, or burgers for a healthy dinner. Feel free to leave a comment about the recipe.
Pioneer Woman Orzo Salad Ingredients
- 1/4 cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- Juice of 1 whole Lemon
- 1 clove of Garlic, minced
- Salt and Pepper to taste
- 12 oz. of Orzo Pasta, cooked, drained, and cooled
- 1 cup of Red Grape or Cherry Tomatoes
- 1 cup of Yellow Grape or Cherry Tomatoes
- 1 cup of halved Kalamata Olives
- 1 cup of Crumbled Feta Cheese
- 1 cup of drained Chickpeas
- 1/2 of a whole Red Onion, diced
- 3 tablespoons of minced Fresh Parsley
How To Cook Orzo For Salad
Start by boiling water with a pinch of salt. Once boiling, add the orzo. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking. Cook for about 9-10 minutes until it’s al dente. Drain, rinse under cold water, and let it dry.
How To Make Pioneer Woman Orzo Salad
- Prepare the Dressing: In a small bowl, combine 1/4 cup of olive oil, the juice of one lemon, and a minced garlic clove. Add salt and pepper to taste. Stir until well combined.
- Combine the Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the cooked and cooled orzo, 1 cup each of red and yellow grape tomatoes, 1 cup of halved Kalamata olives, 1 cup of crumbled feta cheese, 1 cup of drained chickpeas, and half a diced red onion.
- Add the Dressing: Pour the dressing over the salad ingredients. Stir well to ensure everything is evenly coated.
- Final Touches: Add 3 tablespoons of minced fresh parsley. Stir again. Taste and adjust the seasonings if needed. Refrigerate for at least an hour before serving.
- Serve Top with more feta and parsley before serving. Enjoy as a main dish or a side with grilled chicken, fish, or burgers.
Recipe Tips
- Lemon Varieties: You can use a Meyer lemon if a regular lemon isn’t available. The flavor might be slightly sweeter and less acidic, but it should still work well in the recipe.
- Bean Substitutions: If you’re not a fan of garbanzo beans, consider substituting them with another type of bean like cannellini or even some roasted vegetables.
- Additional Ingredients: Feel free to add golden raisins and pistachios, or roasted vegetables with fresh tomato and basil.
- Dressing Adjustments: If you find the dressing too lemony, consider reducing the amount of lemon juice or adding more olive oil. The amount of lemon juice can vary depending on the size and juiciness of the lemon, so adjust to taste.
What Goes Well With Orzo Salad
This Mediterranean Orzo Salad goes well with grilled chicken, fish, and burgers. It could be a main dish with roasted chicken legs and grilled vegetables, or a side for Stuffed Shrimp, Crab Cakes, or Kale Soup.
How Long Does Orzo Salad Last In The Fridge
Properly stored orzo salad can last about 3-5 days in the fridge. Make sure to store it in a well-sealed glass container to keep it fresh.
Can You Freeze Orzo Salad
Yes, orzo salad freezes well and can last about 2-3 months in the freezer. To freeze this orzo salad correctly, place it in a freezer-safe container or bag, removing as much air as possible before sealing.
Can You Make Orzo Salad Ahead Of Time
Yes, you can make this salad 1 day in advance. Cook the orzo and make the dressing a day ahead and store them separately in the fridge. When you’re ready to make the salad, combine the orzo, dressing, and other ingredients, mix well, and serve.
What You Can Put In Orzo Salad
While this recipe for Orzo Salad is delicious as is, you can always add more ingredients such as diced cucumbers for a refreshing crunch, grilled chicken, or even some Parmesan shavings for a different cheese flavor.
Pioneer Woman Orzo Salad Nutrition Facts
- Calories: 190
- Protein: 7g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fat: 1g
- Fiber: 2g
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 10mg
FAQs
What Is Orzo Salad
Orzo salad is a tasty and easy-to-make salad originating from the Mediterranean region, including countries like Greece, Italy, and Spain. The main ingredient is orzo, a rice-shaped pasta, but it has many variations that include ingredients such as tomatoes, olives, feta cheese, and fresh herbs.
Is Orzo Salad Healthy
According to health authorities like Mayo Clinic, orzo salad is a healthy choice. It provides energy from carbohydrates in orzo, vitamins, and minerals from tomatoes, olives, and chickpeas, and healthy fats from olive oil.
Is This Orzo Salad Gluten Free
No, this Orzo Salad isn’t gluten-free. To make it gluten-free, replace the orzo with a gluten-free small pasta like rice or quinoa pasta. Follow the package instructions for cooking times.
Try More Recipes:
Pioneer Woman Orzo Salad
Description
Pioneer Woman Orzo Salad is a simple and flavorful salad! It combines cooked orzo pasta with vegetables, feta cheese, and a light Greek-style vinaigrette. This orzo salad is perfect for summer picnics and potlucks, and can be served either cold or at room temperature.
Pioneer Woman Orzo Salad Ingredients
HowTo Make Pioneer Woman Orzo Salad
- Cook the Orzo: Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Add the orzo and cook for about 9-10 minutes until it’s al dente. Drain, rinse under cold water, and let it dry.
- Prepare the Dressing: In a small bowl, combine 1/4 cup of olive oil, the juice of one lemon, and a minced garlic clove. Add salt and pepper to taste. Stir until well combined.
- Combine the Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the cooked and cooled orzo, 1 cup each of red and yellow grape tomatoes, 1 cup of halved Kalamata olives, 1 cup of crumbled feta cheese, 1 cup of drained chickpeas, and half a diced red onion.
- Add the Dressing: Pour the dressing over the salad ingredients. Stir well to ensure everything is evenly coated.
- Final Touches: Add 3 tablespoons of minced fresh parsley. Stir again. Taste and adjust the seasonings if needed. Refrigerate for at least an hour before serving.
- Serve: Top with more feta and parsley before serving. Enjoy as a main dish or a side with grilled chicken, fish, or burgers.
Notes
- Substitutions: If you’re not a fan of garbanzo beans, consider substituting them with another type of bean like cannellini or even some roasted vegetables. You can also use a Meyer lemon if a regular lemon isn’t available.
- Additions: Feel free to add golden raisins and pistachios, or roasted vegetables with fresh tomato and basil.
- Make Ahead: This salad can be prepared 1 days in advance. Just store the cooked orzo and dressing separately in the fridge, and combine when you’re ready to serve.
- Freezing: Orzo salad freezes well and can last about 2-3 months in the freezer.
- Dressing Adjustments: If you find the dressing too lemony, reduce the amount of lemon juice or adding more olive oil.
- Serving Suggestions: This Mediterranean Orzo Salad pairs well with grilled chicken, fish, and burgers. It can also be a main dish or a side for roasted chicken legs and grilled vegetables.
Servings 6
- Amount Per Serving
- Calories 190
- % Daily Value *
- Total Fat 1g2%
- Sodium 10mg1%
- Total Carbohydrate 40g14%
- Dietary Fiber 2g8%
- Sugars 1g
- Protein 7g15%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
