Lemon Garlic Orzo Salad Zesty Side

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes

This Lemon Garlic Orzo Salad is a refreshing and easy salad recipe that combines bright flavors with wholesome ingredients. The vibrant taste of lemon paired with garlic enhances the orzo and vegetables, making it a perfect side dish for any barbecue or potluck.

This recipe is straightforward and requires minimal cooking, making it an ideal choice for a quick meal or a light lunch. You can also customize it by adding your favorite vegetables or proteins.

Simple Lemon Garlic Orzo Salad

This orzo salad features tender orzo pasta tossed with fresh vegetables, a zesty lemon garlic dressing, and herbs. The recipe takes about 20 minutes to prepare and serves 4 people.

Ingredients

1 cup orzo pasta
2 cups water or vegetable broth
1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
1 medium cucumber diced
1/4 cup red onion finely chopped
1/4 cup fresh parsley chopped
1/4 cup olive oil
2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
2 cloves garlic minced
Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

Cook the Orzo: In a medium saucepan, bring water or vegetable broth to a boil. Add the orzo pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool.
Prepare the Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, salt, and pepper.
Combine Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the cooled orzo, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, and parsley.

Dress the Salad: Pour the dressing over the orzo salad and toss gently to combine all ingredients evenly.
Serve: Transfer to a serving bowl and enjoy as a refreshing side dish or light meal.