Easy Lemon Orzo Salad
This zesty lemon orzo salad is the perfect quick and healthy lunch! It works great for meal prep and is loaded with veggies and whole grains! It is a great option to use for gatherings or as a side dish and is so light and loaded with flavor everyone will love it! My mom used to make this salad for the family every week growing up, it was definitely a family fav!
Other recipes you’ll love:
High Protein Green Goddess Salad {Viral TikTok Recipe}
Creamy Vegan BLT Pasta Salad {mayo free}
Vegan Caesar Salad with Crispy Chickpeas
Why you’ll love this lemon orzo salad
- It is simple to make and finished in under 15 minutes!
- It’s loaded with veggies and whole grains!
- It’s perfect for a family gathering or to have by the pool!
- You can use it for meal prep!
How to make your lemon orzo salad
This easy orzo salad is finished in under 15 minutes and is so simple to make!
First cook your orzo pasta. I like to use whole grain orzo to get in some extra fiber and nutrients but white orzo would work as well! Cook your pasta for 8-10 minutes until soft then rinse under cold water to cool.
Next, chop up your veggies into small cubes and add them into a large bowl along with the orzo.
Drizzle on some olive oil and a squeeze of lemon juice and mix it up until thoroughly incorporated!
Serve and enjoy!
What the heck is orzo?!
Orzo is a type of pasta that is shaped exactly like rice! It comes in white or whole wheat and is used in pastas, stews, salads and more! You can find it in the pasta section of your grocery store! I like to use whole grain orzo to sneak in some extra fiber and nutrients! It also keeps you full for longer!
Some tips from Steph
Switch up your veggies! Any veggies will work in this recipe!
Can’t find orzo? You can use any small shaped pasta or switch it up and use some barley, couscous or quinoa!
Make it high in protein! Make a lemon chicken orzo salad to make this dish high in protein! I like using Sweet Earth’s vegan chicken it is SO realistic and made with simple ingredients! Just pan fry, chop up and add it in!
Make it gluten free! Use a gluten free pasta or quinoa to make this recipe gluten free.
Make your lemon orzo salad with feta! (vegan of course!) My mom always used to make this salad with feta and OMG it was amazing! If you have access to some vegan feta I’d definitely recommend crumbling some in!
Storing your lemony orzo salad. You can store your orzo salad in the fridge for up to 4 days in an air tight container in the fridge.
How to serve your lemon orzo salad
This lemony orzo salad can be eaten in so many different ways:
- Divide it into containers and use it for meal prep!
- Eat it on it’s own in a bowl for a healthy lunch or dinner!
- Enjoy it as a side dish with a vegan protein such as tofu or tempeh!
- Serve it at a potluck or family gathering!
- Bring it to a beach or eat it pool side!
Other recipes you’ll love
High Protein Green Goddess Salad {Viral TikTok Recipe}
Creamy Lemon Chickpea Soup with Tempeh
Creamy Vegan BLT Pasta Salad {mayo free}
Vegan Caesar Salad with Crispy Chickpeas
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Easy Lemon Orzo Salad
Ingredients
- 1 cup Uncooked Whole Wheat Orzo Pasta 200g
- 1 Orange Pepper
- 1 Red Pepper
- 3 cups Chopped Arugula
- 1 can Chickpeas or lupini beans for extra protein!
- 1 cup Black Olives
- ½ Large Cucumber
- Juice of 1 Lemon
- 2-3 tbsp Olive Oil
- Salt and Pepper to Taste
Instructions
- First cook your orzo pasta in boiling water until soft. Once cooked transfer your orzo into a strainer and run under cold water until it is cool.
- While the orzo is cooking prepare your veggies. Chop them into somewhat even sizes and add them to a large bowl along with the orzo.
- Drizzle with olive oil and lemon juice and mix to combine.