Refreshing Orzo Salad with Sun-Dried Tomatoes and Feta
This refreshing Orzo Salad with Sun-Dried Tomatoes and Feta is the perfect summer side dish. After making it countless times for cookouts, I’ve mastered the balance of flavors and textures. The trick I discovered is using quick-soak sun-dried tomatoes for a burst of tangy flavor. Jump to the recipe or keep reading for my best tips. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Easy Rhubarb Cream Cheese Bars Recipe for Spring Desserts and Juicy Greek Chicken Burgers with Tzatziki Sauce.
Why This Refreshing Orzo Salad with Sun-Dried Tomatoes and Feta Is Pure Comfort
- Bursting with tangy sun-dried tomatoes and creamy feta
- Perfect for summer cookouts or meal prep
- Better than takeout with fresh, homemade ingredients
- Easy to customize with your favorite add-ins
What You'll Need for Refreshing Orzo Salad with Sun-Dried Tomatoes and Feta
Choosing the right ingredients makes a big difference, but this recipe is forgiving enough to work with what you have.
- 1 cup orzo pasta
- 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes
- 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
- 1/2 cup chopped fresh basil
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp red wine vinegar
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Optional: 1/2 cup sliced cucumber
- Optional: 1/4 cup chopped red onion
- Optional: 1/4 cup Kalamata olives
📝 Ingredient Notes
- Sun-dried tomatoes: Quick-soak by covering in boiling water for 10 minutes.
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Good quality olive oil — Enhances the flavor of the salad → See on Amazon
- Sharp kitchen knife — Makes prep work easier and safer → See on Amazon
How to Make Refreshing Orzo Salad with Sun-Dried Tomatoes and Feta
- Cook orzo: Cook orzo according to package instructions. Drain and rinse under cold water.
- Prepare sun-dried tomatoes: Quick-soak sun-dried tomatoes in boiling water for 10 minutes. Drain and chop.
- Make dressing: Whisk together olive oil, red wine vinegar, minced garlic, salt, and pepper.
- Assemble salad: In a large bowl, combine cooked orzo, sun-dried tomatoes, feta, basil, and optional toppings. Pour dressing over the top and toss to combine.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Refreshing Orzo Salad with Sun-Dried Tomatoes and Feta
- Common mistake and fix: Don't overcook the orzo. It should have a slight bite to it. Fix: Cook according to package instructions and test for doneness.
- Pro tip: For a lighter salad, use less feta and add more fresh vegetables like cucumber or bell peppers.
- Pro tip: Make ahead: Prepare the salad without dressing and store in the fridge. Add dressing just before serving to prevent the orzo from absorbing too much liquid.
Storing & Reheating Refreshing Orzo Salad with Sun-Dried Tomatoes and Feta
Short-Term Storage
Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. Make-ahead tip: Prepare the salad without dressing up to 1 day ahead. Add dressing just before serving.
Freezing Refreshing Orzo Salad with Sun-Dried Tomatoes and Feta
Not recommended for freezing.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Not necessary, as this is a cold salad. Microwave: Not necessary, as this is a cold salad.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: For a vegetarian version, omit the feta or substitute with a plant-based feta.
- Best substitution: Substitute orzo with another small pasta shape like farfalle or rotini.
- Make-ahead: Prepare the salad without dressing up to 1 day ahead. Add dressing just before serving.
- Scaling: This recipe can easily be doubled or tripled for larger crowds.
- Troubleshooting: If the salad seems dry, add a little more olive oil or vinegar to the dressing.
Want to level up this recipe?
Good quality red wine vinegar — Adds a tangy depth of flavor to the dressing → Check price on Amazon
Refreshing Orzo Salad with Sun-Dried Tomatoes and Feta
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 cup orzo pasta
- 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes
- 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
- 1/2 cup chopped fresh basil
Seasonings
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp red wine vinegar
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Optional Toppings
- 1/2 cup sliced cucumber
- 1/4 cup chopped red onion
- 1/4 cup Kalamata olives
Instructions
- Cook orzo: Cook orzo according to package instructions. Drain and rinse under cold water.
- Prepare sun-dried tomatoes: Quick-soak sun-dried tomatoes in boiling water for 10 minutes. Drain and chop.
- Make dressing: Whisk together olive oil, red wine vinegar, minced garlic, salt, and pepper.
- Assemble salad: In a large bowl, combine cooked orzo, sun-dried tomatoes, feta, basil, and optional toppings. Pour dressing over the top and toss to combine.
Notes
- Chef tip: For a vegetarian version, omit the feta or substitute with a plant-based feta.
- Best substitution: Substitute orzo with another small pasta shape like farfalle or rotini.
- Make-ahead: Prepare the salad without dressing up to 1 day ahead. Add dressing just before serving.
- Scaling: This recipe can easily be doubled or tripled for larger crowds.
- Troubleshooting: If the salad seems dry, add a little more olive oil or vinegar to the dressing.
Storage
- Fridge: Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
- Freezer: Not recommended for freezing.
- Oven reheat: Not necessary, as this is a cold salad.
- Microwave reheat: Not necessary, as this is a cold salad.
- Make ahead: Prepare the salad without dressing up to 1 day ahead. Add dressing just before serving.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 350
- Protein: 10g
- Fat: 15g
- Carbs: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Cholesterol: 15mg
- Sat. Fat: 3g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
Refreshing Orzo Salad with Sun-Dried Tomatoes and Feta FAQs
Yes, prepare the salad without dressing and store in the fridge. Add dressing just before serving.
The orzo may have absorbed too much liquid. Fix: Add a little more olive oil or vinegar to the dressing.
Not recommended, as the orzo can become mushy when thawed.
No, this is a cold salad that doesn't require cooking.
Another small pasta shape like farfalle or rotini.
A Warm Final Note
I can’t wait for you to try Refreshing Orzo Salad with Sun-Dried Tomatoes and Feta and see how effortlessly it comes together. When you make it, pop back here and leave a rating or share how it turned out — I love hearing from you!
