Greek Orzo Salad with Roasted Shrimp

This flavorful Greek orzo salad will satisfy you with the Greek flavors you love including mint, lemon and parsley and it won’t require fat-pants!

I have to admit, I have an unhealthy obsession with Greek salad. I know it’s nothing special (and to be honest, I’m not really sure how “Greek” it is), but there’s something about the simple combination of lettuce, red onions, olives, tomatoes, and a heaping pile o’ feta that I just can’t resist.

But when I was thinking about what recipe I wanted to share with you guys, I came to a realization…I’ve never made Greek salad at home. Cue the shudders. I know, right? It’s kind of silly but for some reason, Greek salad has always been one of those things I’ve left to the restaurants, which is completely irrational since it’s so simple to make. So today, I decided to take all of the flavors of a traditional Greek salad and turn it into something a little different.

Lately, this is the kind of food I’ve been craving. Inspired, hearty, and comforting. Our winter meals here in Michigan have been filled with plenty of rich, heavy comfort food and I’m about ready for a break! So today, put the slow cooker away and try out this light(er), fresh salad to get you ready for the changing of the seasons.

Instead of using lettuce as the base for the Greek orzo salad, I like to go with orzo, the little rice-shaped grains of pasta that are the perfect vehicle for the rest of the flavors in the dish. I love using orzo instead of rice because it has a pretty neutral flavor and nice chewy texture without any of the stickiness. Plus, it cooks up in less than 10 minutes!

I add a healthy dose of a bright lemony oregano vinaigrette to the orzo while it’s still hot so it soaks up all of the flavors. The vinaigrette also serves double-duty as the marinade for the shrimp, which are quickly roasted in a hot oven.

Into the cooled orzo go the rest of the traditional Greek salad components – tomatoes, red onion, cucumbers, and feta (oh yes, plenty of feta). I also add a healthy handful of chopped mint and parsley for some extra freshness. Toss it all together and you’ve got a light dinner or delicious side dish. Plus, I’m not the best at estimating portions so this will feed the entire family with plenty to spare for lunch the next day!

One of my little secrets is that right before serving, I add an extra squeeze of lemon juice and drizzle of a good olive oil just to help brighten everything up one last time. This Greek orzo salad is delicious served at room temperature and even better cold once all of the ingredients have had the chance to meld together.

If you’re looking for a way to have a healthy and just-filling-enough dinner that’ll serve you double and triple-duty throughout the week, I hope you’ll give this Greek orzo salad recipe a try. Or, if you’re like me, cure your Greek salad addiction by (finally) making it yourself at home! The crunchy, salty, fresh, and tangy combination is sure to make you do a happy dance. 

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Greek Orzo Salad with Roasted Shrimp

Yield: 4-6 servings

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour

This flavorful salad will satisfy you with the Greek flavors you love including mint, lemon and parsley, tossed with orzo, it won’t require fat-pants!

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Ingredients

Dressing

• 2 lemons, juiced (approximately 6 tablespoons)
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 teaspoons dried oregano
• 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil

Salad

• 1 pound orzo pasta
• 1/2 lb peeled, deveined shrimp (tail removed) – about 14-16 shrimp
• 1/2 hothouse English cucumber, cut into 1″ pieces
• 1 small red onion, cut into 1″ pieces
• 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1/2 cup pitted kalamata olives, halved
• 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
• 1/4 cup minced parsley
• 1/4 cup minced mint

To finish:

• Juice of 1 lemon and extra virgin olive oil

Instructions

1. First, make the dressing, which will serve double-duty as marinade for the shrimp. Whisk all of the ingredients together and set aside.
2. In a separate bowl, add 2 tbsp of the dressing to the shrimp and toss to combine. Place in the fridge until ready to cook, no more than 20 minutes.
3. Bring a large pot of heavily salted water to a boil. Add the orzo and cook according to the package instructions. Drain thoroughly, add to a large bowl, and pour over the reserved dressing. Toss to combine and let sit to the side to cool to room temperature.
4. Preheat the oven to 425ºF. Remove the shrimp from the marinade and spread on a sheet pan. Roast for 6-7 minutes until the shrimp just turns pink. Remove to a plate and allow to cool. Cut in half into bite-sized pieces.
5. To the cooled orzo, add the cucumber, red onion, cherry tomatoes, olives, feta cheese, parsley, and mint. Toss to combine. Add a few more drizzles of olive oil and a big squeeze of lemon to finish.

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 6 Serving Size: 1 cup
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 535Total Fat: 27gSaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 21gCholesterol: 119mgSodium: 1034mgCarbohydrates: 53gFiber: 4gSugar: 11gProtein: 21g

RachelCooks.com sometimes provides nutritional information, but these figures should be considered estimates, as they are not calculated by a registered dietitian. Please consult a medical professional for any specific nutrition, diet, or allergy advice.

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