Bab's Orzo Rice Salad with Dijon Vinaigrette

Bright, flavorful, and irresistibly refreshing, Bab’s Orzo Rice Salad with Dijon Vinaigrette is the ultimate crowd-pleaser for any occasion. This vibrant salad combines tender orzo pasta, fluffy white rice, and a medley of crisp veggies—juicy cherry tomatoes, crunchy cucumbers, red bell peppers, and zesty red onions—tossed in a tangy homemade Dijon vinaigrette. Fresh parsley adds a burst of herbal freshness, while optional crumbled feta cheese provides a creamy, salty touch. Perfect for picnics, potlucks, or as a light and healthy side dish, this salad comes together in just 40 minutes and tastes even better after chilling, allowing the flavors to meld beautifully. Whether served cold or at room temperature, this versatile dish is guaranteed to impress!

Nutriscore Rating: 66/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:20 mins

Total Time:40 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 1 cup Orzo pasta
• 1 cup White rice
• 1 cup Cherry tomatoes
• 1 large Cucumber
• 1 medium Red bell pepper
• 1 small Red onion
• 0.25 cup Fresh parsley
• 0.25 cup Extra virgin olive oil
• 3 tablespoons Lemon juice
• 1.5 tablespoons Dijon mustard
• 1 teaspoon Honey
• 0.5 teaspoons Salt
• 0.25 teaspoons Black pepper
• 0.5 cup Feta cheese (optional)

Directions

Step 1

Bring a medium pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the orzo pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside to cool slightly.

Step 2

In a separate pot, cook the white rice according to the package instructions. Fluff with a fork and let cool to room temperature.

Step 3

Wash and dice the cucumber, red bell pepper, and red onion into small, even pieces. Halve the cherry tomatoes. Finely chop the fresh parsley.

Step 4

In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked orzo, cooked rice, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red bell pepper, red onion, and parsley.

Step 5

In a small bowl or jar, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, honey, salt, and black pepper until emulsified.

Step 6

Pour the Dijon vinaigrette over the orzo and rice salad. Toss gently to combine so that all ingredients are evenly coated.

Step 7

If using, crumble the feta cheese over the salad and mix lightly.

Step 8

Chill the salad in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving to let the flavors meld.

Step 9

Serve cold or at room temperature as a refreshing main dish or side.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(609.7g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	464.2

Total Fat 30.9g	0%
Saturated Fat 18.1g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.1g
Cholesterol 106.8mg	0%
Sodium 1886.0mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 29.4g	0%
Dietary Fiber 2.7g	0%
Total Sugars 15.8g
Protein 20.4g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 688.8mg	0%
Iron 3.0mg	0%
Potassium 851.0mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 58.3%

Protein: 17.1%

Carbs: 24.6%