When the weather gets warmer, pasta salad is essential! GF Mediterranean Orzo Salad is a light and refreshing salad with feta, herbs, and gluten-free orzo!
As the leaves reappear on the trees, our sudden urge to eat fresh, summery foods increases. There’s nothing like loading up a plate with summer pasta salads, sweet corn, and BBQ meats. Perfecting these dishes gives you even more to look forward to!
For your first cookout of the season, make this GF Mediterranean Orzo Salad, loaded with kalamata olives, feta cheese, and gluten-free orzo pasta. Top it all off with a homemade herby dressing and you have yourself a winning side dish! Take on a picnic, serve at a BBQ, or prep it for a quick lunch all week long.
What is Orzo?
Orzo is rice-shaped pasta commonly used in Italian cooking. Nonnas often boil it with chicken broth until tender and creamy before topping with Parmesan cheese. This mixture is said to both comfort and cure you of a common cold.
Gluten-free orzo is made with rice and corn in place of wheat. It keeps the same shape as traditional orzo and has a lovely texture in pasta salad. If you cannot find gluten-free orzo in store, feel free to order one of the many brands available online.
Ingredients in GF Mediterranean Orzo Salad
- 1 pound gluten-free orzo pasta
- ¼ cup kalamata olives, chopped
- ¼ cup dried apricots, chopped
- 4 oz. crumbled feta cheese
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes, diced
- 1 cup white beans, drained and rinsed
- ¾ cup extra virgin olive oil
- ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
- Juice of ½ lemon
- 2 tablespoons freshly chopped parsley
- 2 tablespoons freshly chopped basil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon honey
- Fresh parsley leaves, for serving
- Fresh basil leaves, for serving
How to Make GF Mediterranean Orzo Salad
Boil your orzo as per the package directions. Drain and set aside.
In a large bowl, add the olives, apricots, feta, tomatoes, and beans. Top with the drained orzo.
In a smaller bowl, whisk the oil, vinegar, lemon juice, parsley, basil, garlic, and honey. Mix well to combine.
Pour the dressing over the orzo and vegetables. Toss to combine.
Top with whole parsley and basil leaves and toss once more.
Chill for at least 2 hours to allow the flavors to meld. Serve cold.
GF Mediterranean Orzo Salad
Ingredients
- 1 lb. gluten-free orzo pasta
- 1/4 cup kalamata olives, chopped
- 1/4 cup dried apricots, chopped
- 4 oz. crumbled feta cheese
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes, diced
- 1 cup white beans, drained and rinsed
- 3/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- Juice of 1/2 lemon
- 2 tbsp freshly chopped parsley
- 2 tbsp freshly chopped basil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp honey
- Fresh parsley leaves, for serving
- Fresh basil leaves, for serving
Instructions
- Boil your orzo as per the package directions. Drain and set aside.
- In a large bowl, add the olives, apricots, feta, and tomatoes, and beans. Top with the drained orzo.
- In a smaller bowl, whisk the oil, vinegar, lemon juice, parsley, basil, garlic, and honey. Mix well to combine.
- Pour the dressing over the orzo and vegetables. Toss to combine.
- Top with whole parsley and basil leaves and toss once more.
- Chill for at least 2 hours to allow the flavors to meld. Serve cold.
