Best 8 Feta Cranberry Orzo Salad Recipes

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Craving a refreshing, flavorful side dish or a light main course? Look no further than the delightful combination of flavors in feta cranberry orzo salad. This vibrant dish tantalizes your taste buds with a symphony of tangy, sweet, and savory elements. A bed of fiber-rich orzo pasta provides a hearty base, while feta cheese adds a creamy texture and pops of salty flavor. Dried cranberries bring a burst of tartness and natural sweetness, perfectly complementing the creamy feta. The salad is further enhanced by fresh herbs like parsley and mint, which bring a fresh, aromatic touch, invigorating your senses.

Here are our top 8 tried and tested recipes!

FETA & CRANBERRY ORZO SALAD



Feta & Cranberry Orzo Salad image

It takes only minutes to make this awesome pasta salad. While the orzo is cooking, assemble the rest of the ingredients and it will be ready to go. My husband devoured this side dish.-Antigone Papoutsis, Nederland, Texas

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Lunch     Side Dishes

Time 20m

Yield 6 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 8

4 cups reduced-sodium chicken broth
1-1/2 cups uncooked orzo pasta
1 cup (4 ounces) crumbled feta cheese
1/2 cup dried cranberries
4 green onions, chopped
1/4 cup olive oil
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon coarsely ground pepper

Steps:

  • In a large saucepan, bring broth to a boil. Add orzo and return to a boil. Cook, uncovered, for 8-10 minutes or until orzo is tender; drain. , In a large bowl, combine the orzo, feta, cranberries and onions. In a small bowl, whisk the oil, salt and pepper. Pour over orzo mixture; toss to coat. Serve immediately.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 350 calories, Fat 13g fat (3g saturated fat), Cholesterol 10mg cholesterol, Sodium 619mg sodium, Carbohydrate 47g carbohydrate (9g sugars, Fiber 3g fiber), Protein 11g protein.

HERBED ORZO WITH FETA



Herbed Orzo with Feta image

Provided by Ina Garten

Categories     side-dish

Time 1h30m

Yield 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 10

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
Good olive oil
3/4 pound orzo (rice-shaped pasta)
1/2 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (3 lemons)
1 cup minced scallions, white and green parts
1 cup chopped fresh dill
1 cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
1 cup medium-diced hothouse cucumber, unpeeled and seeded
1/2 cup small-diced red onion
3/4 pound good feta cheese, large-diced

Steps:

  • Fill a large pot with water, add 1 tablespoon of salt and a splash of oil, and bring the water to a boil. Add the orzo and simmer for 9 to 11 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it's cooked al dente. Drain and pour into a large bowl. Whisk together the lemon juice, 1/2 cup olive oil, 2 teaspoons salt, and 1 teaspoon pepper. Pour over the hot pasta and stir well.
  • Add the scallions, dill, parsley, cucumber, onion, 2 teaspoons salt, and 1 teaspoon pepper. Toss well. Add the feta and stir carefully. Set aside at room temperature for 1 hour to allow the flavors to blend, or refrigerate overnight. If refrigerated, taste again for seasonings and bring back to room temperature before serving.

ORZO AND TOMATO SALAD WITH FETA CHEESE



Orzo and Tomato Salad with Feta Cheese image

A cold pasta salad with orzo, green olives, feta cheese, parsley, dill, tomato, olive oil, and lemon juice. If you don't have fresh herbs, use 1 teaspoon dried. As a personal chef, I can let you know that my clients love this dish.

Provided by COZYCUISINE

Categories     Salad     Vegetable Salad Recipes     Tomato Salad Recipes

Time 25m

Yield 6

Number Of Ingredients 9

1 cup uncooked orzo pasta
¼ cup pitted green olives
1 cup diced feta cheese
3 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
3 tablespoons chopped fresh dill
1 ripe tomato, chopped
¼ cup virgin olive oil
⅛ cup lemon juice
salt and pepper to taste

Steps:

  • Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook orzo for 8 to 10 minutes, or until al dente; drain, and rinse with cold water.
  • When orzo is cool, transfer to a medium bowl and mix in olives, feta cheese, parsley, dill, and tomato. In a small bowl, whisk together oil and lemon juice. Pour over pasta, and mix well. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Chill before serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 329.4 calories, Carbohydrate 28.1 g, Cholesterol 37.4 mg, Fat 19.6 g, Fiber 1.5 g, Protein 10.9 g, SaturatedFat 7.8 g, Sodium 613.7 mg, Sugar 3.8 g

ORZO, PINE NUT, AND FETA SALAD



Orzo, Pine Nut, and Feta Salad image

Categories     Salad     Pasta     Side     Vegetarian     Quick & Easy     Feta     Pine Nut     Gourmet     Sugar Conscious     Kidney Friendly     Pescatarian     Peanut Free     Soy Free     No Sugar Added     Kosher

Yield Makes 8 side-dish servings

Number Of Ingredients 6

1 pound orzo
3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1/2 cup olive oil
1/2 cup pine nuts, toasted
1 1/4 cups feta (6 ounces), crumbled
1 cup thinly sliced scallion greens

Steps:

  • Cook orzo in a 6- to 8-quart pot of boiling salted water until tender, then drain well in a colander.
  • Whisk together lemon juice, oil, and salt and pepper to taste in a large bowl, then add hot orzo and toss. Cool orzo, then toss with pine nuts, feta, and scallion greens. Season with salt and pepper.

ORZO SALAD WITH PEPPERS AND FETA



Orzo Salad With Peppers and Feta image

Piperade, a classic Basque dish of stewed peppers, onions and tomatoes, becomes a flavorful sauce for this pasta. Colorful bell peppers simmer in olive oil and aromatics until meltingly soft, and juicy tomatoes simmer alongside until they burst, lending both tangy and sweet notes. Briny feta adds salty bites to complement the sweet pepper sauce, but tart aged goat cheese makes a good alternative. This side is even better at room temperature, making it the perfect make-ahead dish for summer picnics or potlucks.

Provided by Kay Chun

Categories     dinner, easy, lunch, pastas, salads and dressings, main course, side dish

Time 30m

Yield 4 to 6 servings (about 10 cups)

Number Of Ingredients 11

1 pound orzo
Kosher salt and pepper
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1 medium yellow onion, thinly sliced (about 1 1/2 cups)
3 large or 4 medium red, yellow or orange bell peppers (about 1 1/4 pounds), cored, seeded and chopped into ½-inch pieces (about 4 cups)
1 fresh thyme sprig
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1 medium tomato, diced into 1/2-inch pieces
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1/4 cup chopped fresh basil, plus more for garnish
4 ounces feta cheese, thinly sliced or crumbled

Steps:

  • Cook orzo in a large pot of salted boiling water according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1/4 cup of the pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta, pressing out excess liquid. Spread out on a baking sheet to cool.
  • Meanwhile, in a large skillet, heat oil over medium. Add onion, bell peppers and thyme, and season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until tender, about 10 minutes. Stir in garlic until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add tomato and cook, stirring occasionally, until broken down and juices release, about 8 minutes.
  • Add the reserved pasta water and stir to scrape up any browned bits at the bottom of the skillet. Transfer vegetable mixture to a large bowl to cool slightly to lukewarm, about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally to speed up the cooling process. Discard thyme sprig.
  • Add cooled orzo, lemon juice, basil and cheese. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Mix well, then transfer to a large serving bowl or platter. Garnish with more basil.

ORZO WITH FETA AND ARUGULA



Orzo with Feta and Arugula image

In my family, we love salads because they're an interesting way to blend many different flavors. This orzo salad is one of our favorites-it tastes delicious served either warm or cool. -Laura Adamsky, Decatur, Alabama

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Lunch     Side Dishes

Time 30m

Yield 6 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 9

1 cup uncooked orzo pasta
6 cups fresh arugula
1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
1/2 cup sliced almonds, toasted
1/2 cup dried cherries or dried cranberries
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
Lemon wedges, optional

Steps:

  • Cook pasta according to package directions for al dente. Drain orzo; rinse with cold water and drain well. In a large bowl, combine arugula, feta, almonds, cherries, oil, salt and pepper. Add orzo; toss to coat. If desired, serve with lemon wedges.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 279 calories, Fat 11g fat (2g saturated fat), Cholesterol 5mg cholesterol, Sodium 198mg sodium, Carbohydrate 38g carbohydrate (11g sugars, Fiber 3g fiber), Protein 8g protein.

MEDITERRANEAN ORZO SALAD WITH FETA



Mediterranean Orzo Salad With Feta image

I got this recipe from a friend who got it from Cooking Light. It is delicious and healthy for get-togethers, potlucks, or as a side dish at dinner or lunch. Enjoy! Original recipe calls for 1/4 tsp pf salt, but I found that to be too bland.

Provided by clashcity19

Categories     Healthy

Time 20m

Yield 4-6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 9

1 cup orzo pasta, uncooked
2 cups Baby Spinach, chopped
1/2 cup sun-dried tomato, oil-packed, drained
3 tablespoons red onions, chopped
3 tablespoons kalamata olives, chopped and pitted
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 (6 ounce) jar artichoke hearts, marinated, undrained
3 ounces feta cheese, crumbled

Steps:

  • Cook the pasta according to instructions on package. Drain and rinse under cool water.
  • Add orzo to spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, red onion, kalamata olives, salt, and pepper in a large bowl.
  • Drain the artichoke hearts, but keep the marinade for later.
  • Coarsely chop artichoke hearts and add to orzo.
  • Add marinade and feta cheese.
  • Mix well.
  • Add more salt if needed.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 268.5, Fat 6.4, SaturatedFat 3.6, Cholesterol 20.1, Sodium 893.6, Carbohydrate 42.7, Fiber 5.2, Sugar 5, Protein 11.7

ORZO SALAD WITH CRANBERRIES & PECANS



Orzo Salad With Cranberries & Pecans image

From the Equal Exchange website, contributed by Brian Albert, Director of Finance for Equal Exchange, this salad is full of healthy goodness and a variety of textures and flavors. I haven't tried this yet, posted for safe keeping. I think this might be good with a raspberry vinegar as an option. NOTE: recipe states 1/2 box of orzo -- I'm assuming a 1-pound box, so 8 ounces would be half. Serving size is estimated.

Provided by kitty.rock

Categories     Berries

Time 20m

Yield 4-6 1/2-cup servings, 4-6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 14

8 ounces orzo pasta (1/2 box)
3/4 cup dried sweetened cranberries
2 medium carrots, fine dice
1 small cucumber, peeled, seeded and diced
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon raw honey
1/4 teaspoon dried thyme (optional)
sea salt, to taste
fresh ground black pepper, to taste
1/3 cup scallion, thinly sliced (about 2-3 scallions)
1/4 cup pecans, toasted and coarsely chopped
finely chopped fresh basil leaves or 3 -5 cucumbers, slices

Steps:

  • In a small pan, bring water to boil.
  • Stir in orzo and cook until just tender, then drain.
  • Combine the warm orzo, cranberries, carrots and cucumber in a medium bowl.
  • In a small bowl, combine the vinegar, oil, mustard and honey (and optional thyme if using).
  • Pour over orzo mixture and stir to coat.
  • Add salt and pepper to taste.
  • Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.
  • Stir in scallions and pecans just before serving.
  • Garnish with basil or extra cucumber slices.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 439.5, Fat 12.1, SaturatedFat 1.3, Sodium 733.6, Carbohydrate 74.6, Fiber 7.1, Sugar 22.8, Protein 11.7

Tips:

  • Choose fresh ingredients: The fresher the ingredients, the better the salad will taste. Look for crisp vegetables, plump cranberries, and creamy feta cheese.
  • Cook the orzo al dente: Orzo should be cooked until it is tender but still has a slight bite to it. This will prevent it from becoming mushy in the salad.
  • Use a flavorful dressing: The dressing is what brings all the flavors of the salad together. Use a dressing that is tangy, slightly sweet, and has a hint of acidity. A simple vinaigrette or a creamy dressing made with Greek yogurt are both good options.
  • Don't overcrowd the salad: When assembling the salad, be sure not to overcrowd it. This will make it difficult to mix the ingredients and will also make the salad less appealing.
  • Serve the salad chilled: This salad is best served chilled. This will help to keep the ingredients crisp and refreshing.

Conclusion:

Feta cranberry orzo salad is a delicious and easy-to-make salad that is perfect for any occasion. It is packed with flavor and is sure to be a hit with everyone who tries it. So next time you are looking for a new salad recipe, give this one a try!

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