A fresh and delicious orzo pasta salad with orzo, cherry tomatoes, mint and feta cheese tossed in a tangy red wine vinaigrette. Similar to a greek salad, this orzo salad is refreshing and perfect for a picnic or potluck.
There’s nothing quite like a refreshing pasta salad for potlucks, picnics, or just for lunch. This Healthy Greek Chicken Pasta Salad Recipe and Kale Chicken Pasta Salad are both great, as is this orzo salad!
You’ll love my fresh twist on the old macaroni pasta salad. You know the one…dripping in creamy dressing, with the odd vegetable floating around in there. This is NOT that pasta salad.
THIS orzo salad is crunchy, bold, salty, herby and perfectly refreshing.
Reasons to ♡ this orzo pasta salad with mint + feta
- it’s loaded with fresh and healthy veggies and easy to customize based on what you have on hand
- it’s crunchy and refreshing
- it’s perfect for picnics or potlucks
Recipe video
Wondering how this greek orzo salad comes together? Watch this 1-minute video to see how easy it is to prep! You can find more recipe videos on my YouTube channel.
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Let’s talk ingredients!
For this orzo salad recipe you’ll need:
- orzo pasta – which is the rice-shaped pasta. You can find it in the pasta aisle of your grocery store.
- chickpeas – use either cooked canned chickpeas, or cook them yourself these Instant Pot Chickpeas
- fresh veggies – cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, red onion and radishes
- mint – adds bright, fresh flavor
- feta cheese – for delightful bites of saltiness
To make the vinaigrette – red wine vinegar, olive oil, honey, Dijon mustard, salt and pepper
Orzo salad prep tips
- multi-task – First get the orzo pasta cooking, and then prepare the veggies and vinaigrette.
- make ahead – Prep the ingredients up to 4 hours before serving, but do not combine the veggies, pasta, and dressing until you are ready to serve.
- storage – This recipe does not keep well, so I do not recommend for meal prep.
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Can I use another type of pasta?
Absolutely, use your favorite pasta shape.
Can I make a meal out of this salad?
Yes, you may wish to add a second can of chickpeas to up the protein, or top with cooked chicken.
Can I make this vegan?
Sure, make sure to use maple syrup in place of honey in the vinaigrette, and omit the feta cheese.
Looking for more refreshing salad recipes?
- Avocado Pesto Pasta Salad with Roasted Summer Vegetables
- Chickpea, Barley, and Butternut Squash Jar Salads
- Caprese Chicken Quinoa Salad
- Chopped Chickpea Salad
- Kale Barley Salad with Feta and a Honey-Lemon Vinaigrette
This post was originally published in 2015. It has been republished in 2020 with fresh photos, recipe tips and a video.
Orzo Pasta Salad with Mint + Feta
Ingredients
Salad
- 1 cup orzo pasta (uncooked)
- 1 can cooked chickpeas (drained + rinsed)
- 1 cup cucumbers chopped
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
- 1/4 cup red onion chopped
- 1/3 cup fresh mint chopped
- 1 cup radishes chopped
- 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
Red Wine Vinaigrette:
- 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 3 teaspoons honey
- 1 clove garlic minced
- 1/2 teaspoon Dijon
- salt and pepper
Instructions
- Cook orzo according to package instructions, and allow to cool.
- Combine all salad ingredients in a large bowl.
- Shake together all vinaigrette ingredients, then stir into the salad until completely combined.
Storage
- This salad does not keep well and I recommend that you eat it within 1 hour of dressing. See storage tips in the notes.
Notes
- cook orzo up to 2 days ahead
- shake up vinaigrette up to 7 days ahead
- chop cucumber, tomatoes, onion, radish up to 4 hours ahead
- chop mint just before serving for the best flavor/texture
Medha @ Whisk & Shout
This looks amazing and so fresh! I love orzo and this looks so delish and springy 🙂
Justine | Cooking and Beer
haha, that story made my day, Denise. I wish my mornings were as exciting as yours are! This pasta salad sounds fantastic! Pinning for later!
Jess @ Flying on Jess Fuel
LOL! Quiet is always suspicious when it comes to kids! This pasta salad looks amazing. I love orzo but don’t use it nearly enough! I think you just inspired me! 😉
Denise
Thanks, Jess! I don’t normally use orzo, other than in soups. It has a great texture!
Shelby @ Go Eat and Repeat
What a great idea! I love tomatoes and feta in orzo, they complement each other so well! I need to have this for lunch today!
Denise
Thanks, Shelby! Hope you enjoy it 🙂
Alice @ Hip Foodie Mom
haha, never a dull moment with a toddler. . I hear you!!! and oh my gawd, Denise. . this orzo pasta salad is gorgeous!!!! I love this so much! I just pickled some radishes yesterday that I bet would taste fantastic in here . . I must make this happen soon!!! love!!
Denise
Totally! Life is definitely not boring! I bet those pickled radishes would be delish in the salad. Thanks, Alice!
Maureen
Easy and healthy is something anyone would like to have and this salad just made it possible. I love that you used ozro pasta for this. It’s a dish with flavorful taste! And Kai is just adorable!
Denise
Thanks, Maureen! I don’t think anyone would complain about easy 🙂
Kathy @ Olives & Garlic
Oh how funny. I bet Kai thought it was awesome. Love this orzo pasta. It so delicate, yet so full of flavor.
Denise
That kid definitely keeps me entertained! Thanks, Kathy 🙂
Ashley | The Recipe Rebel
Haha, I know the feeling too well! It gets better though, and now with a 3 year old and a 4 month old, we’re kind of in the eye of the storm. Lol. I know it will come again!
Denise
Ha ha you will be seriously busy in a year or so! Not that you’re not super busy right now! It is so much fun though, I love that his little personality is coming out. Thanks, Ashley!
katie
ah yes, the toddler struggles, they are REAL! This salad looks perfect, and great for spring!
Denise
You know it, Katie! Ha ha, thanks!
Brittaney @ Sips and Snacks
I don’t have any children to chase around just yet, but I totally need more recipes like this anyway. It looks so bright and delicious!
Denise
Thanks, Brittaney! I don’t think anyone, kids or not, could complain about easy 🙂
Nora @ Savory Nothings
Haha, wow I’m looking forward to my baby girl walking now! It’s already enough that she’s crawling 😉 Love the look of this salad and I’ve been totally obsessed with mint on everything lately! So, so good!
Denise
It is SO much fun, Nora! Everyone told me when he started walking the trouble would begin, and he is trouble, but he’s also so much more independent. And FUN!
Geraldine | Green Valley Kitchen
Just love this, Denise – I could eat this every day for lunch!
Denise
Thanks, Geraldine!
Natalie @ Tastes Lovely
Haha! Kai sounds like the cutest little trouble maker of all! Glad it wasn’t anything too bad, like writing on the walls with markers. This pasta salad sounds so good! And love all the herbs you added : )
Denise
Oh gosh, I am NOT giving that kid a marker! Ha ha, thanks, Natalie!
Kristine @ Kristine's Kitchen
I can totally picture the scene you described! You had me laughing at that last sentence when he said, mmm! Luckily, my kids are pretty good about not getting into things, though they do have their moments of fighting with each other which makes things interesting!
This pasta salad looks perfect! I love that you added lots of veggies, and the vinaigrette sounds delicious!
Denise
He always says ‘mmmm’, even when he finds a cheerio on the floor! Yet he won’t eat any food I serve him. LOL. Thanks, Kristine!
Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice
Oh that is funny, Denise! Although I’m sure it wasn’t so funny when Kai stole that toilet paper. This salad looks perfect! Orzo is one of my favorite pastas to cook with and I’m loving the flavorful herbs in here. Sounds like it makes the perfect lunch or dinner!
Denise
Thanks Gayle! It was funny! He is constantly keeping us amused…and busy!