Gluten-Free Greek Orzo Salad with Pasta
By the Gluten Free Recipes team ·
Bright and refreshing, this gluten-free Greek orzo salad bursts with Mediterranean flavors. Tender GF pasta is tossed with crisp vegetables and your choice of protein, all coated in a zesty lemon-herb dressing for a satisfying meal.
At a glance: This easy lunch recipe yields 4 servings in about 37 minutes (12 min prep, 25 min cook). It uses 10 ingredients — including gluten-free orzo pasta, protein of choice, chopped fresh vegetables — and walks through 5 steps. Updated . Browse more lunch recipes or return to all gluten-free recipes.
Cross-Contamination Warning for Gluten-Free Greek Orzo Salad with Pasta: When preparing this lunch recipe, exercise caution with all packaged ingredients, especially seasonings and sauces, to ensure they are certified gluten-free. Cross-contamination can occur during manufacturing, so always check labels carefully In a shared kitchen, avoid porous materials — wooden spoons, wooden cutting boards, and scratched non-stick pans can harbor gluten proteins even after washing. Prefer glass, metal, or silicone tools.
Gluten-Free Notes for Gluten-Free Greek Orzo Salad with Pasta: This recipe relies on naturally gluten-free ingredients and certified gluten-free pasta. It avoids any gluten-containing grains.
Ingredients
- 8 oz gluten-free orzo pasta
- 1 cup protein of choice (cooked chicken, shrimp, tofu, or chickpeas)
- 2 cups chopped fresh vegetables (cucumber, bell peppers, cherry tomatoes, red onion)
- 1/4 cup Kalamata olives, pitted and halved
- 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese (optional)
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
- 1
Cook the gluten-free orzo pasta according to package directions until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Drain the pasta well and rinse with cool water to prevent sticking. Set aside in a large mixing bowl.
- 2
While the pasta cooks, prepare your protein if it's not already cooked. If using chickpeas, drain and rinse them thoroughly. Ensure any pre-cooked protein is seasoned with gluten-free spices or sauces.
- 3
Chop all your fresh vegetables into bite-sized pieces. Halve the Kalamata olives and crumble the feta cheese if using. Add the prepared vegetables, olives, and feta to the bowl with the cooled gluten-free orzo.
- 4
In a small bowl or jar, whisk together the extra virgin olive oil, fresh lemon juice, dried oregano, and garlic powder. Season this dressing generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper to your liking.
- 5
Pour the prepared dressing over the orzo and vegetable mixture. Add your chosen protein to the bowl. Gently toss everything together for about 2-3 minutes, ensuring all ingredients are evenly coated with the zesty dressing. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed before serving.
Nutrition (per serving)
Tips & Notes
- Use a good-quality extra-virgin olive oil here — the flavor comes through in simple recipes.
- Buy a block of feta and crumble it yourself — pre-crumbled feta contains anti-caking agents and is often drier.
- Roll the lemon firmly on the counter before cutting to get significantly more juice.
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