Orzo Salad with Feta, Kalamata Olives, and Mint

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-11 · Updated 2026-05-11

A refreshing orzo pasta salad tossed with tangy feta, briny Kalamata olives, fresh mint, and lemon vinaigrette, perfect for warm weather. This Greek-inspired salad recipe, ready in about 25 minutes, pairs orzo pasta, water, salt 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 250 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 (about 8 oz) orzo pasta
• 4 cups water
• 1 tsp for pasta water salt
• 1 medium, diced cucumber
• 1 cup, halved cherry tomatoes
• 1/2 cup, pitted and halved Kalamata olives
• 1/4 small, finely chopped red onion
• 4 oz, crumbled feta cheese
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh mint leaves
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 3 tbsp, freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1/2 tsp, freshly ground 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 4 cups water with 1 tsp salt to a boil in a medium pot. Add 1 1/2 cups orzo pasta and cook for 8-9 minutes until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool. Drain well and transfer to a large bowl.
2. Step 2: To the cooled orzo, add 1 medium diced cucumber, 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes, 1/2 cup pitted and halved Kalamata olives, 1/4 small finely chopped red onion, 4 oz crumbled feta cheese, and 1/4 cup chopped fresh mint leaves. Toss gently to combine.
3. Step 3: In a small bowl, whisk together 1/4 cup olive oil, 3 tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice, 1 tsp dried oregano, and 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper until emulsified.
4. Step 4: Pour the lemon vinaigrette over the orzo salad and toss thoroughly to coat all ingredients. Chill salad for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld.