Orzo Pasta Salad (Gluten-Free, Vegan)

This cold Orzo Pasta Salad recipe is gluten-free, vegan, and allergy-free! This Greek-inspired orzo pasta salad is packed with fresh crisp veggies, kalamata olives, artichokes, chickpeas, and tender orzo, tossed with simple homemade vinaigrette! A healthy Mediterranean side dish that's easy and quick to whip up for potlucks, cookouts, and light meal prep lunches for the week!

Delicious al dente gluten-free orzo mixed with tons of fresh veggies and pops of salty kalamata olives, chickpeas, and artichokes! Tossed with a tangy vinaigrette; it's pasta salad heaven! Orzo is an ideal pasta for cold pasta salads, even when it's gluten-free! Hearty and delicious, with tons of textures and flavors. This pasta salad can be a delicious plant-based meal on its own or a perfect side dish everyone will love!

What Is Orzo?

Orzo pasta is a short-cut oval-shaped pasta, also known as risoni. Orzo means "barley" in Italian and risoni means "large grain of rice". Orzo is classified as a pastina, "little pasta" and is typically used in soups, grain bowls, or dishes that need a small al dente bite. It's slightly thicker in the middle and thinner on both ends which gives it that perfect toothsome bite when cooked al dente and holds its shape. It's a heartier pasta version of rice!

Gluten-Free Orzo

Orzo is typically made from durum wheat which is high in gluten (you can also find whole wheat varieties). Luckily, there are gluten-free orzo pasta varieties we celiacs can now use! Since it's just a small thin oval, you don't have to worry about it becoming mushy and falling apart like other varieties of gluten-free pasta! You can find it in rice and corn varieties, chickpea-based, and even cassava-based for a paleo option!

Best Gluten-Free Orzo Brands

• Delallo Gluten-Free Orzo: Corn and Rice-based (this is my favorite and top recommendation)
• Garofalo Gluten Free Orzo: Corn, Brown Rice, and Quinoa-based (healthy whole grain blend)
• Jovial Grain-Free Orzo: Cassava-based (paleo and grain-free, not low-carb)
• Banza Chickpea "Rice": Chickpea-based (they call it rice, but it's not. They're a pasta brand...it's orzo)
• Andean Dream Organic Orzo: Quinoa-based (stronger flavor)
• Wholesome Provisions Protein Orzo: Lupin and sunflower-based (this one is keto!)

Why You'll Love This Recipe

Made with Greek and Mediterranean flavors, this healthy orzo salad will wow your tastebuds and can be enjoyed by all your guests no matter what their dietary needs are!

• Gluten-Free
• Vegan & Vegetarian
• Allergy-free (Dairy-Free, Soy-Free, Egg-Free, Nut-Free, Peanut-Free, Wheat-Free, Sesame-Free, Corn-Free, Coconut-Free)
• Optionally Paleo, Grain-Free, or Keto
• Sugar-Free
• Kid-Friendly
• A Make-Ahead & Meal Prep Essential
• Simple Side Dish, Lunch, or Light Dinner
• Great For Potlucks and Parties, Summer BBQs, or Cookouts

Ingredients For Orzo Pasta Salad

• Gluten-Free Orzo: My recommendation is Delallo's gluten-free orzo pasta! See above for more awesome brands depending on your flour preference, but this brand gives you a great flavor and texture for this cold orzo salad and holds up well to the hearty add-ins and vinaigrette!
• Cucumber: You can use Persian or English cucumbers for this pasta salad. These cucumbers have fewer seeds and are more crisp and sturdy for holding up in salads than conventional garden cucumbers.
• Tomato: Grape tomatoes are ideal for salads as they have the least amount of pulp and seeds. They're easier to cut and won't make a mushy mess in the salad.
• Bell Pepper: Green or red bell pepper will work wonderfully. Green bell pepper is more common for Greek-inspired salads but has a slightly less sweet taste than red.
• Red Onion: Thinly sliced or diced, you choose! I love the super thin sliced red onion ribbons as they marinate in the vinaigrette of the salad and create the most amazing flavor!
• Kalamata Olives: That perfect salty bite! Kalamata olives add a rich and fruity taste, with a meaty buttery texture and hints of smokiness.
• Artichoke Hearts: Plain jarred quartered artichoke hearts! No need for a marinated variety. You'll get enough fresh herby marinade flavors from the vinaigrette of this pasta salad!
• Chickpeas: The plant-based protein that will make this pasta salad a full meal! You can skip the beans if you are swapping the pasta and need this orzo salad to be paleo or keto.
• Parsley: Fresh flat-leaf parsley will add so much fresh flavor and more beautiful pops of green!

Lemon Vinaigrette:

• Lemon Juice: Freshly squeezed lemon juice is a must! Sour, tart, and o so lemony!
• Red Wine Vinegar: Balance the acid of the lemon with the rich tangy and fruity flavors of red wine vinegar.
• Olive Oil: EVOO! Grab your favorite high-quality extra virgin olive oil for this flavorful robust vinaigrette.
• Garlic + Dried Oregano + Salt + Pepper: Minced garlic, dried oregano, salt, and pepper are the only extra spices and herbs you need for the simple dressing for this pasta salad.

Ingredient Variations

• Jarred Pepperoncini: This slightly sweet, spicy, and tangy Italian pepper is a fantastic addition to this Mediterranean salad.
• Capers: If you love the salty pop of olives, you will love adding a few tablespoons of capers to the pasta salad as well!
• White Wine Vinegar: You can swap the red wine vinegar with white or you can make the vinaigrette super lemony by using all lemon juice and no vinegar.
• White Beans: You can swap the chickpeas for a different type of white bean like cannellini or northern beans!
• Fresh Herbs: You can add other fresh herbs like mint or fresh oregano to the salad if you don't want to use parsley (or do a combo!)
• No Orzo: If you can't find gluten-free orzo in time, you can use any other small gluten-free pasta shape.
• Vegan Feta: Adding some dairy-free greek feta cheese to this pasta salad is a delicious idea! ALDI makes a wonderful allergy-free feta that's affordable and easy to find!

How To Make Orzo Pasta Salad

1. Start off by boiling your gluten-free orzo according to the package directions. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process.
2. Add the orzo to a large bowl, along with the chopped veggies. Mix everything together before pouring in the whisked homemade vinaigrette.

3. Mix the salad ingredients together with the vinaigrette so everything is tossed and coated.
4. Allow the orzo salad to chill in the fridge before serving.

How Long To Cook Gluten-Free Orzo

Gluten-free orzo takes a bit longer to cook than your typical wheat variety. You want the orzo to be tender but still firm; that ideal al dente bite. Depending on the brand you buy, subtract about 2 minutes from the suggested cook time. If the package tells you the time for al dente, use that time, but check your pasta 1 to 2 minutes before. About 9 minutes was perfect for the Delallo gluten-free orzo.

How To Make Cold Orzo Salad Ahead Of Time

This orzo pasta salad is ideal for meal prep! You can either prep the veggies 2-3 days ahead of time, cook the pasta 1-2 days ahead of time, and mix the dressing together 2-3 days ahead of time and mix everything together on the day you plan to serve it. You can also make the entire orzo salad ahead of time and use about half the dressing. When you plan on serving it you can add more dressing and toss to redistribute the vinaigrette and prevent the pasta from soaking up all the liquid right away and getting mushy.

How Long Does Orzo Pasta Salad Last?

You can store leftover gluten-free orzo pasta salad covered in the fridge for 3-5 days. If the orzo clumps together when chilled, add a splash of olive oil or squeeze of fresh lemon juice to loosen things up! Bringing the leftovers to room temperature for a few minutes before serving will not only loosen things up, but the delicious Geek flavors will become more pronounced again!

Can You Freeze Orzo Pasta Salad?

No. Never freeze a pasta salad! They're so easy to throw together in minutes. Freezing the gluten-free pasta and fresh veggies will end up ruining their quality and defrosting into a mushy tasteless mess.

What To Serve With Greek Orzo Salad

As delicious as it is on its own when served as a light lunch or dinner, you can serve salad as a healthy side dish that complements so many different meals and occasions! From summer cookouts alongside your potato salad and coleslaw, it's also perfect for picnics, potlucks, and holidays!

• Great with veggies burgers and sliders
• Delicious with grilled veggie entrees
• Summer grilled proteins like chicken or fish
• Serve it with vegan lobster rolls or sandwiches

More Delicious Gluten-Free Pasta Salad Recipes:

• Cold Italian Pasta Salad
• Greek Pasta Salad
• Asian Pasta Salad
• Mexican Pasta Salad
• Classic American Macaroni Salad
• Spring Orzo Pasta Salad

Print

Gluten-free orzo doesn't get enough love, but this pasta salad is going to become a staple! When you want rice and pasta at the same time...orzo is the answer!

So tell me:

+ What's your favorite way to use orzo? These Mediterranean orzo stuffed peppers are the best!

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