Ina Garten’s Zesty Orzo Salad With Shrimp Recipe – A Fresh Delight

Summer’s vibrant colors dance on plates with Ina Garten’s orzo salad and succulent shrimp.

Mediterranean flavors burst through every delightful bite of this refreshing dish.

Tender shrimp nestle among delicate pasta pearls, creating a symphony of textures.

Fresh herbs and zesty lemon weave their magic into each forkful.

Bright vegetables add crunch and complexity to this light yet satisfying meal.

The recipe promises a delectable escape to coastal cuisine that will make dinner feel like a spontaneous seaside celebration.

Grab your ingredients and let this culinary adventure begin.

Best Ways to Serve Ina Garten Orzo Salad With Shrimp

• Serve Chilled for Summer Freshness: Create a cool, refreshing meal perfect for hot days by refrigerating the salad and serving it straight from the fridge with extra herbs sprinkled on top.
• Pair with Crisp White Wine: Complement the light, herbal flavors of the orzo salad with a crisp sauvignon blanc or pinot grigio for a delightful dining experience.
• Make It a Complete Meal: Transform this salad into a hearty lunch or dinner by adding grilled lemon wedges on the side and serving with crusty bread to soak up the delicious dressing.
• Picnic Perfect Presentation: Pack the salad in individual mason jars for a portable, elegant lunch option that's easy to transport and looks stunning when served outdoors.

How to Store Ina Garten Orzo Salad With Shrimp

• Refrigerate Wisely: Store the orzo salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, keeping the flavors fresh and vibrant.
• Prep Ahead Strategy: Make this salad a day in advance to let the ingredients mingle and develop a more intense, delicious taste profile.
• Serve Chilled or Room Temperature: Enjoy the salad straight from the fridge or let it sit for 15-20 minutes to take the chill off, allowing the flavors to shine.
• Revive Before Serving: If the salad seems dry after refrigeration, drizzle a little extra olive oil and give it a quick gentle stir to restore its moisture and brightness.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Calories: 450 kcal

Servings: 6

Ingredients Required for Ina Garten Orzo Salad With Shrimp

• Orzo: A delightful rice-shaped pasta that provides a perfect base for this vibrant summer salad, choose high-quality pasta for the best texture.
• Shrimp: Select fresh, plump shrimp that are firm and have a sweet ocean aroma, wild-caught varieties offer the most robust flavor.
• Feta Cheese: Crumbly Greek cheese that adds a tangy punch, look for authentic imported varieties for a genuine Mediterranean taste.

• Scallions, Dill, Parsley: Bright green herbs that bring freshness and zesty complexity, choose crisp herbs with vibrant color and no wilting.
• Cucumber: Adds cool crispness and light hydration, select firm cucumbers with smooth, unblemished skin.
• Red Onion: Provides sharp, punchy undertones, choose firm onions with smooth, papery skin and no soft spots.

• Olive Oil: Smooth, rich base that helps roast shrimp and blend flavors, opt for extra virgin for best quality.
• Salt, Pepper: Essential flavor enhancers that balance and elevate the entire dish, use freshly ground black pepper for maximum impact.

Cooking Tools for Ina Garten Orzo Salad With Shrimp

• Large Pot: Perfect for boiling orzo until it reaches that ideal al dente texture.
• Baking Sheet: Essential for roasting shrimp with a quick drizzle of olive oil.
• Colander: Helps drain orzo quickly and efficiently.
• Large Mixing Bowl: Crucial for combining all ingredients and creating the final salad.
• Cutting Board: Needed for chopping scallions, dill, parsley, and cucumber.
• Chef's Knife: Sharp tool for precise vegetable and herb chopping.
• Measuring Spoons: Helps accurately measure salt and pepper for seasoning.

Directions for Ina Garten Orzo Salad With Shrimp

Orzo Symphony with Ocean Treasures

• Oven Preparation Warmth

Coax your kitchen companion (oven) to a toasty 400 degrees, creating a welcoming environment for culinary magic.

• Pasta Dance

Bring water to a playful boil, then gently introduce orzo, allowing it to twirl and soften until tender yet spirited. Rescue from water’s embrace and transfer to a spacious mixing vessel.

• Seafood Transformation

Arrange plump shrimp on a baking landscape, whisper olive oil across their surface, sprinkle delicate salt and pepper. Let the oven’s warm breath transform them into succulent morsels.

• Flavor Harmony

Reunite roasted shrimp with orzo, then welcome a vibrant ensemble of green scallions, fragrant herbs, crisp cucumber, zesty onion, and creamy feta. Each ingredient tells a delicious story.

• Relaxation and Revelation

Allow your creation to mingle and breathe at room temperature, letting flavors intertwine and deepen. Taste and fine-tune the seasoning, celebrating the symphony of textures and tastes.

Variations to Enhance Ina Garten Orzo Salad With Shrimp

• Smart Tips & Twists
• Replace shrimp with grilled chicken, canned tuna, or seared salmon for a different protein-packed meal.
• Experiment with fresh mint, chives, or basil instead of dill to transform the salad's flavor profile instantly.
• Prepare the entire salad up to two days in advance, keeping it sealed in the refrigerator for quick, convenient lunches or dinners.
• Boost Mediterranean vibes by adding kalamata olives, roasted red peppers, or sun-dried tomatoes for extra depth and complexity.

Zesty Ina Garten Orzo Salad With Shrimp Recipe

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4.6 from 17 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Mediterranean Ina Garten orzo salad with shrimp brings coastal flavors to your table. Succulent shrimp, tender orzo, and fresh herbs create a delightful summer dish you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• ¾ lb (340 g) orzo pasta (rice-shaped pasta)
• 2 lbs (907 g) shrimp, peeled and deveined (16 to 18 count)
• ¾ lb (340 g) feta cheese, large diced
• 1 cucumber (hothouse), unpeeled, seeded, and medium-diced
• 1 cup minced scallions, white and green parts
• 1 cup chopped fresh dill
• 1 cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
• ½ cup small-diced red onion
• ¼ cup + extra olive oil (for roasting shrimp)
• ½ cup lemon juice (freshly squeezed, 3 lemons)
• 1 tsp kosher salt (plus more for seasoning)
• ½ tsp black pepper, freshly ground (plus more for seasoning)

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Instructions

1. Thermal Preparation: Calibrate oven to 400°F with center rack placement for uniform heat distribution.
2. Pasta Cultivation: Submerge orzo in vigorously boiling salted water, stirring intermittently, and cook until achieving al dente texture, approximately 8-9 minutes. Drain thoroughly and transfer to expansive mixing vessel for rapid cooling.
3. Seafood Roasting: Arrange shrimp in elegant single layer on rimmed baking sheet, lavishly coating with extra virgin olive oil, kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Roast for 5-6 minutes until shrimp transform to opaque coral hues with delicate golden perimeters.
4. Flavor Fusion: Immediately integrate roasted shrimp with orzo, then tenderly incorporate scallions, dill, parsley, cucumber, red onion, and crumbled feta cheese. Season comprehensively with additional salt and pepper, creating harmonious flavor profile.
5. Flavor Maturation: Allow salad to rest at ambient temperature for 30-60 minutes, permitting ingredients to intermingle and develop robust taste dimensions. Alternatively, refrigerate for enhanced flavor complexity. Perform final taste calibration, adjusting seasoning to achieve perfect gustatory balance before serving.

Notes

• Quick Shrimp Roasting Tip: Don’t overcrowd the baking sheet to ensure crispy, evenly cooked shrimp with perfect golden edges.
• Pasta Cooling Technique: Drain orzo immediately and transfer to a wide bowl to stop cooking process and prevent mushy texture.
• Flavor Melding Magic: Let salad rest at room temperature or refrigerate to allow ingredients to blend and intensify taste profile.
• Seasoning Secret: Taste and adjust salt and pepper just before serving to achieve a perfectly balanced and vibrant dish.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Roasting
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 450
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 24 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 40 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 25 g
• Cholesterol: 200 mg