Zesty Lemon Orzo Salad Recipe: Ina Garten’s Fresh Summer Joy

Summer’s vibrant colors dance through this zesty Ina Garten lemon orzo salad that promises a burst of Mediterranean freshness.

Tangy citrus notes mingle with tender pasta, creating a delightful harmony of flavors.

orzo delicate shape captures every nuanced seasoning with elegant simplicity.

Light and refreshing, this dish whispers of sunny coastal afternoons and relaxed dining experiences.

Each forkful delivers a perfect balance of herbs, lemon, and subtle complexity.

Crisp vegetables add delightful texture to this irresistible summer staple.

You’ll want to savor every delectable bite of this effortlessly chic salad.

Quick Steps to Build Ina’s Orzo Salad

• Water Preparation Hot and Ready

Grab a large saucepan and fill it with fresh water. Sprinkle in a generous pinch of salt to enhance the flavor profile of your upcoming dish.

• Orzo Dancing in Liquid

Gently slide the delicate pasta into the bubbling water. Watch as it swirls and twirls, cooking until it reaches that perfect tender-yet-firm texture. Keep an eye on the timer and drain thoroughly when done.

• Zesty Mediterranean Awakening

Transfer your cooked orzo to a spacious mixing bowl. Unleash a burst of sunshine with bright lemon zest and its tangy juice. Drizzle some golden olive oil and sprinkle fragrant dill throughout. Season with salt and pepper to create a flavor explosion that will make your taste buds dance.

• Cheese Finale

Crumble creamy feta cheese over the salad, letting the white chunks nestle into the lemony pasta. The result is a vibrant, refreshing dish that captures the essence of Mediterranean cuisine. Serve immediately while the flavors are at their peak.

Additions Like Shrimp, Chickpeas, or Herbs

• Rinse orzo with cold water to stop cooking and prevent clumping, ensuring a perfectly textured salad.
• Toss in toasted pine nuts or sunflower seeds for an extra layer of nutty texture and crunch that complements the creamy feta.
• Enhance the salad by adding diced cucumber, halved cherry tomatoes, or chopped Kalamata olives for a vibrant Greek-inspired twist.
• Enjoy this versatile dish warm immediately after preparation or chill for a refreshing cold salad – ideal for picnics, potlucks, or make-ahead meal prep.
• Experiment with fresh herbs like parsley, mint, or basil to create different flavor profiles while maintaining the bright, zesty essence of the original recipe.

Serving Suggestions for a Bright Side Dish

• Pair with Grilled Proteins: Complement the bright, zesty orzo salad with grilled chicken, salmon, or shrimp to create a complete and satisfying meal that balances the lemony flavors.
• Picnic Perfect Side Dish: Pack this refreshing salad in portable containers for outdoor gatherings, beach trips, or summer potlucks as a crowd-pleasing accompaniment that stays delicious at room temperature.
• Mediterranean Mezze Platter: Serve alongside hummus, olives, cucumber slices, and pita bread to create a vibrant Mediterranean-style spread that showcases the salad's herbaceous and tangy profile.
• Vegetarian Lunch Option: Transform the orzo salad into a hearty vegetarian main course by adding extra vegetables like roasted cherry tomatoes, chopped spinach, or grilled zucchini for more substance and nutrition.

Keep Orzo Fresh Without It Getting Gummy

• Store Chilled Delight: Refrigerate the lemon orzo salad in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days, keeping its fresh flavor and texture intact.
• Quick Meal Prep: Make this salad ahead of time for busy weekdays, allowing the flavors to meld and intensify in the refrigerator overnight.
• Smart Serving Strategy: Gently stir the salad before serving if it has been stored, as the ingredients might settle during refrigeration.
• Refresh Before Enjoying: If the salad seems dry after storage, drizzle a little extra olive oil and lemon juice to revive its vibrant taste and creamy consistency.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 4 minutes

Cook Time: 11 minutes

Total Time: 15 minutes

Calories: 320 kcal

Servings: 4

What Goes into Ina Garten’s Lemon Orzo Salad

• Orzo: Delicate pasta that provides a creamy, smooth foundation for the salad, perfect for absorbing vibrant flavors and creating a light, satisfying texture.

• Lemon Zest: Bright, aromatic citrus essence that adds intense lemony punch without sourness.
• Lemon Juice: Fresh, tangy liquid that brings sharp, clean brightness to the entire dish.

• Fresh Dill: Delicate, feathery herb that delivers a subtle grassy and slightly tangy undertone, complementing the Mediterranean profile.

• Salt: Essential mineral that amplifies and balances all other flavors in the salad.
• Black Pepper: Freshly ground spice that adds warm, subtle heat and complexity.

• Olive Oil: Smooth, fruity Mediterranean liquid that binds ingredients and provides silky mouthfeel.
• Feta Cheese: Crumbly, salty Greek cheese that introduces creamy texture and sharp, tangy contrast.

Tools for Boiling, Zesting & Tossing Right

• Large saucepan: Essential for boiling water and cooking orzo pasta.
• Colander: Crucial for draining orzo thoroughly after cooking.
• Zester or grater: Perfect for creating fine lemon zest.
• Sharp knife: Needed for cutting lemon and chopping herbs.
• Mixing bowl: Ideal for combining orzo with other ingredients.
• Measuring spoons: Important for precise salt and pepper measurements.
• Wooden spoon or spatula: Great for stirring and folding ingredients.

Vibrant Ina Garten Lemon Orzo Salad Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.9 from 20 reviews

• Total Time: 15 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Ina Garten’s lemon orzo salad blends Mediterranean flavors with fresh ingredients. Herb-kissed orzo, crisp vegetables, and zesty lemon create a light, refreshing dish you’ll crave at summer gatherings.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 cup orzo (200 grams)
• 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons good olive oil
• 1 cup small-diced feta, preferably Greek (4 oz / 115g)
• 1 tbsp minced fresh dill
• 2 tsp grated lemon zest
• Kosher salt
• Freshly ground black pepper

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Boiling Preparation: Fill a large saucepan with water, salt generously, and bring to a vigorous boil.
2. Pasta Cooking: Introduce orzo into boiling water, reduce heat to a gentle simmer, and cook uncovered for 9-11 minutes, stirring occasionally until al dente.
3. Pasta Draining and Mixing: Drain orzo in a colander, transfer to a mixing bowl, and immediately incorporate lemon zest, fresh lemon juice, olive oil, dill, salt, and black pepper.
4. Cheese Integration: Cube feta cheese into small, uniform pieces and gently fold into the warm orzo, allowing the cheese to slightly soften without fully melting.
5. Serving: Present the orzo salad warm, showcasing its vibrant flavors and fresh ingredients, perfect as a side dish or light meal.

Notes

• Pasta Precision: Cook orzo exactly 9-11 minutes for perfect al dente texture, stirring occasionally to prevent clumping.
• Zest Technique: Use only bright yellow lemon surface when zesting, avoiding bitter white pith underneath.
• Temperature Timing: Add feta when orzo is warm to slightly soften cheese without complete melting, maintaining delightful texture.
• Flavor Layering: Combine lemon zest, juice, olive oil, and fresh dill immediately while pasta is warm to maximize taste absorption.

• Prep Time: 4 minutes
• Cook Time: 11 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Boiling
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 320
• Sugar: 1g
• Sodium: 500mg
• Fat: 18g
• Saturated Fat: 3g
• Unsaturated Fat: 15g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 34g
• Fiber: 2g
• Protein: 9g
• Cholesterol: 20mg