Gluten-Free Orzo Salad with Orzo
By the Gluten Free Recipes team ·
This vibrant gluten-free orzo salad features tender GF orzo pasta tossed with fresh vegetables and a zesty lemon-Dijon vinaigrette. It's a refreshing and satisfying side dish perfect for any occasion.
At a glance: This easy salads and sides recipe yields 4 servings in about 35 minutes (5 min prep, 30 min cook). It uses 10 ingredients — including gluten-free orzo pasta, extra virgin olive oil, fresh lemon juice — and walks through 5 steps. Updated . Browse more salads and sides recipes or return to all gluten-free recipes.
Cross-Contamination Warning for Gluten-Free Orzo Salad with Orzo: When preparing this salads and sides recipe, 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 Orzo Salad with Orzo: This recipe is naturally gluten-free by using certified gluten-free orzo pasta and avoiding any gluten-containing grains.
Ingredients
- 1 cup gluten-free orzo pasta
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard (verify GF)
- 0.5 tsp salt
- 0.25 tsp black pepper
- 1 clove garlic, minced (optional)
- 0.5 cup chopped fresh parsley
- 0.5 cup diced cucumber
- 0.5 cup halved cherry tomatoes
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, verified 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)
Tips & Notes
- Use a good-quality extra-virgin olive oil here — the flavor comes through in simple recipes.
- Zest the lemon before juicing — it's nearly impossible to zest after the lemon is squeezed.
- Roasted garlic (400°F, 30–40 min in foil) gives a sweet, mellow flavor ideal for soups and sauces.
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