Gluten-Free Mediterranean Orzo Salad

Brighten up your table with this vibrant and refreshing Gluten-Free Mediterranean Orzo Salad! Bursting with the bold flavors of cherry tomatoes, crisp cucumber, diced red bell pepper, briny Kalamata olives, and creamy crumbled feta cheese, this dish is a perfect symphony of texture and taste. Made with tender, gluten-free orzo and a zesty dressing of extra virgin olive oil, fresh lemon juice, and red wine vinegar, it’s a quick and easy recipe ready in just 25 minutes. Fresh parsley and mint add an aromatic, herbaceous finish, making this salad a versatile option for meal prep, picnics, or as a show-stopping side dish for any Mediterranean-inspired spread. Serve it chilled or at room temperature for a naturally gluten-free delight that everyone will enjoy!

Nutriscore Rating: 66/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:10 mins

Total Time:25 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 cup Gluten-free orzo
• 1 cup Cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1 cup Cucumber, diced
• 1 medium Red bell pepper, diced
• 0.5 cup Red onion, finely chopped
• 0.5 cup Kalamata olives, pitted and sliced
• 0.5 cup Feta cheese, crumbled
• 0.25 cup Fresh parsley, chopped
• 2 tablespoons Fresh mint, chopped
• 0.25 cup Extra virgin olive oil
• 2 tablespoons Lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon Red wine vinegar
• 1 clove Garlic, minced
• 0.5 teaspoon Salt
• 0.25 teaspoon Black pepper

Directions

Step 1

Bring a medium-sized pot of salted water to a boil.

Step 2

Add the gluten-free orzo to the boiling water and cook according to the package instructions until al dente, usually about 8-10 minutes.

Step 3

Once cooked, drain the orzo and rinse it under cold water to stop the cooking process and cool the orzo, then set it aside to drain completely.

Step 4

While the orzo is cooking, prepare the vegetables: halve the cherry tomatoes, dice the cucumber and red bell pepper, and finely chop the red onion.

Step 5

In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked and cooled orzo, chopped vegetables, sliced olives, crumbled feta cheese, chopped parsley, and mint.

Step 6

In a small bowl, whisk together the extra virgin olive oil, lemon juice, red wine vinegar, minced garlic, salt, and pepper to create the dressing.

Step 7

Pour the dressing over the orzo mixture and gently toss until all ingredients are well coated and evenly distributed.

Step 8

Taste and adjust the seasoning if needed, adding more salt or pepper to preference.

Step 9

Allow the salad to sit for at least 15 minutes to let the flavors meld, or refrigerate for up to 24 hours for enhanced flavor.

Step 10

Serve chilled or at room temperature.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1256.7g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2019.3

Total Fat 110.7g	0%
Saturated Fat 28.7g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.0g
Cholesterol 100mg	0%
Sodium 4398.9mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 226.7g	0%
Dietary Fiber 20.7g	0%
Total Sugars 23.3g
Protein 41.9g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 914.6mg	0%
Iron 11.9mg	0%
Potassium 2035.1mg	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: 48.1%

Protein: 8.1%

Carbs: 43.8%