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RAINBOW ORZO SALAD centered hero view, clean and uncluttered
Joe Rooney

Rainbow Orzo Salad Recipe Easy Fresh and Delicious

This rainbow orzo salad is a vibrant, fresh, and easy-to-make summer side dish. Filled with colorful vegetables, fresh herbs, and tender orzo pasta, it’s all brought together with a zesty lemon herb dressing that adds bright flavor in just minutes.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Calories: 250

Ingredients
  

  • 1 1/2 cups uncooked orzo pasta
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 red bell pepper, finely chopped
  • 1 orange bell pepper, finely chopped
  • 1 english cucumber, finely chopped
  • 1 small red onion, finely chopped
  • 1 cup corn, fresh or frozen
  • 1/3 cup fresh basil, chopped
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 3 tablespoon red wine vinegar
  • 2 tablespoon lemon juice, half a lemon
  • 2 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper

Method
 

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil.
  2. Add the orzo to the boiling water and cook it according to the package instructions until it’s just tender, stirring occasionally to keep it from sticking together.
  3. Drain the orzo in a colander and rinse under cold water to cool it down completely.
  4. While the orzo cooks, combine olive oil, lemon juice, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, dried oregano, kosher salt, and black pepper in a bowl or jar; whisk thoroughly and set aside.
  5. In a large mixing bowl, toss together the cooked orzo, red bell pepper, orange bell pepper, cucumber, red onion, corn, fresh basil, and fresh parsley.
  6. Pour the lemon herb dressing over the salad and stir well to make sure everything is evenly coated.
  7. Taste the salad and add extra salt and pepper if needed.
  8. Serve the salad right away or cover it and let it chill for a few hours or overnight to enhance the flavors before enjoying.

Notes

  • For best flavor, let the salad marinate in the fridge for a few hours or overnight so the orzo and veggies soak up the dressing. This dish makes a perfect colorful addition to any summer meal.