Go Back
–+ servings
Mediterranean orzo vegetable salad with broccoli, kale, carrots, red pepper, sun-dried tomatoes, Kalamata olives and fresh herbs in a lemon olive oil dressing.

Mediterranean Orzo Vegetable Salad

This colourful Mediterranean orzo salad is packed with tender broccoli, kale, sweet red pepper, carrots, sun-dried tomatoes and Kalamata olives. A bright lemon-herb olive oil dressing brings everything together. It is delicious warm, at room temperature or chilled.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course lunch, Salad, Side Dish
Cuisine Mediterranean
Servings 6 people
Calories 394 kcal

Equipment

  • Large pot
  • Fine-mesh strainer or colander
  • Large mixing bowl
  • Small bowl or measuring jug
  • Whisk
  • Cutting board
  • Sharp knife
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Large serving spoon or salad tongs

Ingredients
  

Orzo Salad

  • 1½ cups orzo pasta dry
  • 2 cups broccoli florets small
  • 1 cup kale finely chopped and tough stems removed
  • 1 red bell pepper diced
  • 1 cup carrots shredded
  • ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes oil-packed, drained and sliced
  • ½ cup Kalamata olives pitted and halved
  • ⅓ cup red onion finely chopped
  • ½ cup feta cheese crumbled and optional
  • ¼ cup pine nuts toasted or sliced almonds optional

Fresh Herbs

  • ¼ cup parsley chopped and fresh
  • 2 tbsp basil chopped and fresh
  • 1 tbsp oregano chopped and fresh
  • 1 tbsp dill chopped and fresh

Lemon-Herb Olive Oil Dressing

  • ⅓ cup olive oil extra-virgin
  • 3 tbsp lemon juice fresh
  • 1 tbsp red wine vinegar
  • 1 tsp Dijon mustard
  • 1 garlic clove small and finely minced
  • ½ tsp oregano dried
  • ½ tsp honey
  • ½ tsp salt or to taste
  • ¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper

Instructions
 

  • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the orzo according to the package directions until just tender.
  • Add the broccoli during the final 2 minutes of cooking. Drain well and rinse briefly under cool water. Let the excess water drain completely.
  • Whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, garlic, oregano, honey, salt and pepper.
  • Place the orzo and broccoli in a large bowl. Add the kale, red pepper, carrots, sun-dried tomatoes, Kalamata olives and red onion.
  • Pour the dressing over the salad while the orzo is still slightly warm. Toss well so the pasta absorbs all that lemony flavour.
  • Fold in the parsley, basil, oregano, dill and feta. Taste and add more lemon juice, salt or pepper as needed.
  • Let the salad rest for about 15 minutes before serving. Finish with toasted pine nuts or almonds, if using.
    • Toss the warm orzo with the lemon olive oil dressing before adding the vegetables. The pasta absorbs more flavour this way, giving your Mediterranean orzo salad a bright, fresh taste in every bite.

Notes

  • Cook the orzo just until al dente so the Mediterranean pasta salad does not become soft or mushy.
  • Add the lemon olive oil dressing while the orzo is still slightly warm—it absorbs much more flavour this way.
  • Drain oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes well, but save a little of the seasoned oil for extra flavour.
  • Chop the broccoli, kale and vegetables into small pieces for the best texture in every bite.
  • Taste before adding extra salt because Kalamata olives, sun-dried tomatoes and feta are naturally salty.
  • Let the Mediterranean orzo vegetable salad rest for 15 minutes before serving so the flavours blend.
  • After chilling, refresh the salad with a drizzle of olive oil and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice.
  • This easy make-ahead orzo salad is best served cold or at room temperature.

Nutrition

Calories: 394kcalCarbohydrates: 43gProtein: 11gFat: 21gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 4gMonounsaturated Fat: 12gCholesterol: 11mgSodium: 563mgPotassium: 717mgFiber: 6gSugar: 8gVitamin A: 5171IUVitamin C: 68mgCalcium: 143mgIron: 3mg
Keyword cold orzo pasta salad, easy pasta side dish, Mediterranean orzo salad, Mediterranean pasta salad, orzo vegetable salad, recipe, summer orzo salad, sun-dried tomato orzo salad
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!