Greek Lemon and Herb Orzo Salad

A light and refreshing orzo salad with bright lemon and fresh herbs, perfect as a starter or side dish.

Prep Time

15 minutes

Total Time

25 minutes

Calories

435

Level

Easy

Yields

4 servings

Cost

£1.04

Season:

☀️ Summer

Meal Type:

Lunch•Dinner•Dessert•Salad•Side Dish•Appetiser

Cuisine:

Italian•Mediterranean

Main Ingredient:

Chicken•Pasta

Cooking Style:

Baking

Mood:

Comfort Food•Healthy

Ingredients

Servings

1cupOrzo Pasta

£0.35

4cupsWater(For cooking pasta)

3tablespoonsOlive Oil(Extra virgin)

£0.25

2tablespoonsLemon Juice(Freshly squeezed)

£0.15

1teaspoonLemon Zest(From one lemon)

£0.05

2tablespoonsFresh Dill(Chopped)

£0.40

2tablespoonsFresh Mint(Chopped)

£0.35

0.5Cucumber(Diced)

£0.40

1cupCherry Tomatoes(Halved)

£0.80

0.3cupKalamata Olives(Pitted and halved)

£0.60

0.3cupFeta Cheese(Crumbled)

£0.75

0.5teaspoonSalt(Or to taste)

0.3teaspoonBlack Pepper(Or to taste)

£0.05

Total Cost

£4.15

£1.04 per serving

The Method

1
Cook the orzo according to package directions in salted boiling water. Drain well and rinse with cold water. Let it cool completely.
2
While the orzo is cooking, prepare the dressing by whisking together olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, salt, and pepper in a small bowl.
3
In a large bowl, combine the cooled orzo, cucumber, cherry tomatoes, Kalamata olives, dill, and mint.
4
Pour the dressing over the orzo mixture and toss gently to coat.
5
Gently fold in the crumbled feta cheese.
6
Serve immediately or chill for later. The flavors meld together even more after chilling.

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My Notes

Nutrition Information

Nutrition per serving (220g)

435 kcal / 1820 kJ

Carbs

48g

18% of RDA

Fat

22g

31% of RDA

Protein

11g

22% of RDA

Detailed Breakdown

Fibre

3 g

10% of RDA

Sugar

6 g

7% of RDA

Sodium

550 mg

24% of RDA

Saturated Fat

5 g

25% of RDA

Chef's Tips

For a more intense lemon flavor, add a bit more lemon zest or juice.

If you don't have fresh dill and mint, you can use dried herbs, but use about half the amount.

Feel free to add other vegetables like bell peppers or red onion to customize the salad.

Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. A little extra salt or pepper can really bring out the flavors.

Cooking Equipment

Pot

Large Bowl

Wine Pairings

No wine pairing suggestions available for this recipe.

Complete the Meal

Main Course

Spinach and Carrot Stuffed Chicken Breast

Chicken breasts filled with a vibrant mixture of spinach, carrots, and feta cheese, baked to juicy perfection.

50 minutes

4 servings

Medium

"Pairs perfectly with this starter"

Dessert

Honeyed Yogurt with Pistachios and Orange Zest

A light and refreshing Mediterranean dessert, perfect after a savory meal.

10 minutes

4 servings

Easy

"This simple dessert offers a light and refreshing finish. The tangy yogurt complements the savory flavors of the main course, while the honey and orange zest provide a touch of sweetness without being overly heavy. The pistachios add a welcome textural contrast."

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Chef's Tips

For a more intense lemon flavor, add a bit more lemon zest or juice.

If you don't have fresh dill and mint, you can use dried herbs, but use about half the amount.

Feel free to add other vegetables like bell peppers or red onion to customize the salad.

Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. A little extra salt or pepper can really bring out the flavors.

Greek Lemon and Herb Orzo Salad

Ingredients

The Method