Gluten-Free Orzo Salad

Orzo labeled gluten-free, cooked al dente, is tossed with diced cucumber, halved cherry tomatoes and plenty of fresh parsley in a lemon and Dijon vinaigrette. A 15 to 30 minute rest lets the dressing soak in for a bright side dish.

Prep: 5 min Cook: 10 min Total: 30 min Serves: 4

At a glance: This easy salads and sides recipe yields 4 servings in about 30 minutes (5 min prep, 10 min cook). It uses 10 ingredients — including gluten-free orzo pasta, extra virgin olive oil, fresh lemon juice — and walks through 5 steps. Updated October 25, 2026. Browse more salads and sides recipes or return to all gluten-free recipes.

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Cross-Contamination Warning for Gluten-Free Orzo Salad: When preparing this salads and sides recipe, gluten-free orzo looks almost identical to wheat orzo, so keep the packages apart and cook it in fresh water in a clean pot. Dijon mustard should be labeled gluten-free.

Gluten-Free Notes for Gluten-Free Orzo Salad: This recipe is naturally gluten-free by using gluten-free orzo pasta and avoiding any gluten-containing grains.

Scale Recipe:

servings

Ingredient amounts update automatically

Instructions

1 Cook the gluten-free orzo pasta according to package directions, typically for about 8-10 minutes, until al dente and tender. Drain the pasta well and rinse briefly with cool water to prevent sticking, then set aside in a large mixing bowl.
2 While the orzo cooks, prepare the dressing by whisking together the extra virgin olive oil, fresh lemon juice, labeled gluten-free Dijon mustard, salt, black pepper, and minced garlic (if using) in a small bowl. Continue whisking until the dressing is emulsified and well combined, about 1-2 minutes.
3 Add the chopped fresh parsley, diced cucumber, and halved cherry tomatoes to the bowl with the cooked gluten-free orzo pasta. These fresh ingredients will add vibrant color and a delightful crunch to the salad.
4 Pour the prepared lemon-Dijon dressing over the orzo and vegetable mixture. Gently toss everything together until all the ingredients are evenly coated with the dressing, ensuring every bite is flavorful.
5 Taste the salad and adjust the seasoning with additional salt or pepper if needed. For the best flavor, allow the salad to marinate for at least 15-30 minutes at room temperature before serving, allowing the flavors to meld beautifully.

Nutrition (per serving)

277

Calories

13g

Protein

37g

Carbs

Fat

Fiber

259mg

Sodium

Tips & Notes

Gluten-free orzo clumps as it cools. Rinse it briefly after draining, as step 1 says, and toss it with a spoonful of the olive oil.
Toss the diced cucumber with a pinch of salt and drain it for 10 minutes so it doesn't water down the salad as it marinates.
Crumbled feta or sliced olives fit well with the lemon-Dijon dressing if you want a more Mediterranean salad.

Common questions

What cross-contamination risk is specific to Gluten-Free Orzo Salad?

Check gluten-free orzo pasta, extra virgin olive oil, fresh lemon juice before they go into Gluten-Free Orzo Salad. Gluten-free orzo looks almost identical to wheat orzo, so keep the packages apart and cook it in fresh water in a clean pot. Dijon mustard should be labeled gluten-free.

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