Description
Savor the delightful flavors of Healthy Easy Orzo Lemon Salad. This dish features tender orzo, colorful vegetables, and a zesty lemon dressing, making it a wonderful choice for a quick meal or refreshing side dish.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups uncooked orzo
- 1 red bell pepper chopped
- 2 stalks celery diced
- 1 small red onion
- ¼ cup feta cheese, crumbled
- ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- sea salt to taste
- cracked black pepper to taste
- juice and zest of 1 lemon
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the orzo and cook until al dente, about 7 minutes or as package directs.
- Drain the orzo and rinse it under cold water until cool. Shake off excess water to prevent a watery salad.
- While the orzo cooks, chop the red bell pepper, dice the celery and onion, and chop the parsley. Zest and juice the lemon.
- In a large bowl, mix the cooked orzo with the chopped veggies, feta, and parsley. Pour olive oil, lemon juice, and zest, then season with sea salt and black pepper. Toss gently to coat everything evenly.
- Serve immediately at room temperature or chill for 30–60 minutes to blend the flavors. Stir before serving if the salad has firmed up.
Notes
Fresh herbs can be substituted with dried if needed, just use a smaller amount.
Add grilled chicken for a protein boost and a heartier meal.
For a vegan version, omit the feta cheese or use a plant-based alternative.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 200mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 8mg
