Description
This Healthy Easy Orzo Lemon Salad features fresh ingredients like bell pepper, celery, and feta. Quick and simple, it’s perfect for a healthy meal or side dish!
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups uncooked orzo
- 1 red bell pepper chopped
- 2 stalks celery diced
- 1 small red onion
- ¼ cup feta cheese, crumbled
- ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- sea salt to taste
- cracked black pepper to taste
- juice and zest of 1 lemon
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the orzo and cook until al dente, usually around 7 minutes, checking your package for timing.
- Drain the orzo and rinse it under cold water until cool to the touch. Shake off excess water to prevent the salad from becoming watery.
- While the pasta cooks, chop the red bell pepper, dice the celery and onion, and roughly chop the parsley. Zest and juice the lemon.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked orzo with the chopped vegetables, feta, and parsley. Drizzle the olive oil, lemon juice, and lemon zest on top. Season with sea salt and cracked black pepper, adjusting to taste. Toss gently until coated evenly.
- Serve immediately at room temperature or chill for 30-60 minutes to meld the flavors. If the salad firms up in the fridge, stir it quickly and add a touch of olive oil if needed.
Notes
Feel free to add your favorite veggies for extra crunch.
Can be made ahead of time and stored in the fridge for a quick lunch option.
Adjust the lemon juice and seasoning according to your taste preference.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 300mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 10mg