Orzo salad has become one of my favorite meals to make. Especially when the weather gets warmer outside, and I’m craving something lighter than my usual heavier winter dishes.
However, this orzo salad has been adapted from a Greek recipe. That I used to enjoy one of my favorite restaurants in college, Athena’s Greek Cuisine, and it is always perfect when topped with homemade feta cheese!
Therefore, here are some ideas on what to serve with orzo salad. But feel free to experiment on your own! Bon appetit!
1. Green Beans
Beans are full of fiber, magnesium, and potassium and serve as what to serve with orzo salad. They’re a good source of protein and contain important nutrients like folate. Serve as a side dish or toss them into a stir fry for extra nutrition and flavor.
Also, toss in some feta cheese (full of protein), grape tomatoes (vitamin C), and Kalamata olives (good fat).
Then, lemony oregano oil dressing (extra vitamin C), fresh cilantro, fresh mint leaves, and artichoke hearts(heart healthy). And citrus vinaigrette dressing, red pepper flakes & garlic for an added Mediterranean twist!
2. Carrots
Carrots are crunchy and juicy. Carrot salads are a great way to incorporate more carrots into your diet, especially if you struggle to eat enough daily veggies. No wonder carrot juice is one of nature’s most popular beverages.
3. Fresh Corn
Check out fresh corn if you’re looking for a healthy way to amp up your summer meals. It has twice as much dietary fiber and vitamin C as cooked or frozen corn. And which can help control blood sugar and cholesterol levels.
Plus, corn has more than 100 types of carotenoids, and we need them for immune function and good vision. You’ll also find carotenoids in corn kernels; they make it yellow or orange.
So if you want to get your fill of these antioxidants without eating sweet corn, look for boiled whole ears.
4. Mango Salsa
Mangoes are more than just sweet and delicious. But it can also be good for what to serve with orzo salad. This is one tasty way to get all these benefits while enjoying some well-deserved time in the sun. This recipe pairs perfectly with orzo salad.
5. Beef Fajitas
Orzo salad is delicious on its own; sometimes, you need something a little more substantial. Beef fajitas are quick and easy to make, pack lots of flavors, and taste delicious over orzo.
Just be sure to allow enough time for your meat to marinate. The longer you leave it in, the better. However, this recipe calls for both skirt steak and chuck; try a mix of sirloin and skirt for maximum flavor.
Remember that beef should always rest after being cooked before slicing so that all of those yummy juices stay put.
While you’re waiting for that, get out your tortillas so they can warm up properly. That is, fresh tortillas taste just as good (if not better!) than reheated ones.
6. Parmesan Chicken
One of my favorite ways to enjoy orzo salad is as a bed for Parmesan Chicken. And also serve as what to serve with orzo salad. All you need for your very own version is one pound of chicken breasts.
And you can either grill or bake in a 350-degree oven with freshly grated parmesan cheese and Italian seasoning. Season both sides of each chicken breast with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning.
Also, grill/bake chicken until cooked through (around 7-8 minutes per side). Then top each piece with parmesan cheese, cut into strips and serve on top of your favorite salad mix!
7. Apple Chips
Use a mandoline slicer or a very sharp knife to cut apples into thick slices. Lay them in a single layer on a baking sheet, sprinkle liberally with coarse salt, and let stand for 20 minutes. Preheat oven to 275 degrees F (135 degrees C).
Furthermore, mix olive oil and cumin seeds and gently brush them onto apple slices. Bake until dry, turning over once after 10 minutes. Serve hot or at room temperature, which is also good for what to serve with orzo salad.
8. Pineapple Salsa
This recipe is an excellent way to use pineapple if you have a surfeit of fruit. It’s also a great appetizer that pairs wonderfully with spicy chicken and fish dishes. This recipe makes enough for 8-12 people; make more as necessary.
Moreover, the salsa will stay in your fridge for up to a week and can be easily frozen. Just be sure not to forget about it, or it may spoil before you have time to use it all. If you plan on freezing, do so after step four below, then thaw and finish when needed.
9. Beef Broccoli
Take a few minutes before you start your orzo salad to cut up whatever protein you’d like for your meal. Dice up beef into small pieces, and flash cook it in a skillet. A quick sauté in oil is perfect for beef that will then be served cold.
Next, add some broccoli florets (or other leafy green veggies) and sauté until they are tender but still crisp. Don’t overcook them, or they’ll turn mushy by lunchtime.
10. Chicken Fajitas
This protein-packed dish is a cinch to make and also good as what to serve with orzo salad. Toss some chicken into a skillet, add onions and peppers; then sauté everything until cooked.
Moreso, place over brown rice, top with avocado slices and fresh tomato salsa, and devour. We guarantee your taste buds will be thanking you in no time.
11. Creamy Avocado Soup
Add a creamy, smooth layer of avocado to any soup and as what to serve with orzo salad. Simply take half an avocado, cut it in half again, and scoop it into a food processor or blender.
Also, add some salt and pepper, blend, and pour over your favorite soup recipe. It will turn any soup into something luxuriously delicious!
12. Creamy Tomato Soup
Creamy tomato is good for what to serve with orzo salad. To make it creamier, simply puree half of one of your tomatoes. But be careful not to use too much; you still want some texture.
Moreso put the low-sodium chicken broth into a small saucepan. Followed by one diced tomato in juice and minced garlic. Simmer for 5 minutes over medium heat.
Then, put about of milk (low-fat is fine) into a mug and about dried basil. And a few grinds from a black pepper mill, dried thyme leaves, and fresh lemon zest if desired.
13. Feta Cheese Soup
This light, creamy soup made with feta cheese is simple and packed with flavor. Fresh herbs add another layer of Mediterranean flair, which is good for what to serve with orzo salad.
While heavy cream lends a smooth texture that’s ideal for spooning over crusty bread or fresh salads.
However, leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat gently before serving again.
Use a good quality heavy cream for the best results. Something like Organic Valley Heavy Whipping Cream will work very well here.
Also, you can always add half-and-half if you don’t have any heavy whipping cream on hand. However, your soup might not be quite as luxurious!
14. Classic Greek Tzatziki Sauce
This is another best option when looking for what to serve with orzo salad. Classic Greek Tzatziki sauce is a very delicious dish to serve alone.
To make this, mix plain Greek yogurt, finely grated cucumber, lemon juice, and salt & pepper. Allow flavors to blend in the fridge for at least an hour before serving.
This will last 3-5 days covered in the fridge but may need additional seasoning once flavors have blended more.
Therefore, mix together plain Greek yogurt, finely grated cucumber, lemon juice, and salt & pepper. Allow flavors to blend in the fridge for at least an hour before serving.
This will last 3-5 days covered in the fridge but may need additional seasoning once flavors have blended more.
15. Tomatoes, Feta, and Kalamata Olives
Tomatoes, Feta and Kalamata, are good for what to serve with orzo salad. In a medium bowl, toss all ingredients together except tomatoes and feta. Serve immediately or chill until ready to use.
Also, you can prepare it up to two days in advance and keep it covered in the refrigerator until ready to serve. Top each serving with tomato slices and crumbled feta cheese just before serving.
16. Herbed Goat Cheese Sauce
Herbed Goat Cheese Sauce is part of what to serve with orzo salad. Tomatoes and feta are Mediterranean favorites, and kalamata olives add a nice bit of saltiness. You can use sun-dried tomatoes if you like them better than fresh ones.
Then, put your olives in a food processor or blender and chop coarsely. Add them to your salad when you toss everything together just before serving. If you want it spicier, add some red pepper flakes while blending.
17. Fresh Basil Pesto
This serving is delicious over pasta, chicken, fish, or as a spread on sandwiches. It’s also great over grilled vegetables and pizza. Which makes it part of what to serve with orzo salad.
However, the ingredients are fresh basil leaves, freshly grated Parmesan cheese, pine nuts, and clove garlic. And minced (optional) extra-virgin olive oil, salt, and pepper to taste.
In a food processor, combine all ingredients except for olive oil and process until smooth. With the machine running slowly, add olive oil through the feed tube until the mixture forms a thick paste.
Season with salt and pepper. Also, transfer pesto into an airtight container and refrigerate for up to one week or freeze for up to three months.
Conclusion
Orzo salad is a fantastic addition to any summer party. It’s healthy and light, but it’s also filling enough that you won’t need to provide many snacks alongside it.
However, the orzo salad can get boring after several servings. That’s why I always try to serve something alongside it to spice up the table.
And give my guests something extra to focus on. These suggestions are just some of my ideas to keep my orzo salads exciting!
Moreso, orzo salad makes the perfect summer side dish, whether it’s served warm or chilled! With this recipe, you can enjoy this tasty pasta salad all season long with fresh ingredients. And fun add-ins that everyone will love!
Therefore, if you need some ideas on what to serve with orzo salad, we’ve got plenty of options. So, ensure each meal course is balanced, delicious, and appealing to your guests!
