Chilled Lemon-Mint Orzo Salad with Feta and Cherry Tomatoes

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-08-05 · Updated 2026-08-05

A bright and zesty orzo pasta salad tossed with fresh mint, tangy feta, and juicy cherry tomatoes, served cold for summer gatherings. This Mediterranean-inspired salad recipe (vegetarian), ready in about 20 minutes, pairs orzo pasta, water, olive oil into a side that holds its own next to almost any main — bright, balanced, and quick enough to slot into a weeknight plate. Each serving lands at about 280 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly next to roasted proteins, grain bowls, or weeknight mains. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups dry orzo pasta
• 6 cups, salted for boiling water
• 3 tbsp, divided olive oil
• 1 tbsp lemon zest
• 3 tbsp lemon juice
• 1/4 cup, finely chopped fresh mint leaves
• 1 1/2 cups halved cherry tomatoes
• 1 cup crumbled feta cheese
• 1 tsp, divided salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper

The chef’s knife we’d prep this with → Best Chef's Knives for 2026: Top Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: Bring 6 cups salted water to a rolling boil in a large pot. Add 1 1/2 cups dry orzo pasta and cook according to package instructions (about 8-9 minutes) until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop cooking, then drain again.
2. Step 2: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together 2 tbsp olive oil, 1 tbsp lemon zest, 3 tbsp lemon juice, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper until combined.
3. Step 3: Add the cooled orzo, 1 1/2 cups halved cherry tomatoes, 1/4 cup finely chopped fresh mint leaves, and 1 cup crumbled feta cheese to the bowl. Toss gently to coat everything evenly.
4. Step 4: Drizzle remaining 1 tbsp olive oil over the salad and toss once more. Cover and chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving cold to let flavors meld.