Easy Barefoot Contessa Orzo Salad With Cucumber Recipe

Orzo salad transforms simple ingredients into a vibrant Mediterranean-inspired dish that dances with bright, fresh flavors.

Crisp cucumber provides a cool, refreshing base for this light summer favorite.

Mediterranean culinary traditions shine through in every colorful bite of this delightful pasta creation.

Soft, tender pasta mingles seamlessly with crunchy vegetables and tangy herbs, creating a harmonious blend of textures.

Each forkful promises a zesty adventure that awakens your palate with its balanced combination of ingredients.

Nutritious and satisfying, this salad represents a perfect balance between comfort and elegance.

Prepare to elevate your meal with a recipe that celebrates simplicity and robust Mediterranean spirit: your taste buds will thank you.

Why Contessa Orzo Salad with Cucumber Is Refreshing

• Burst with Fresh Mediterranean Flavors: This orzo salad sings with bright, zesty notes from lemon juice, fresh herbs like dill and parsley, and crisp cucumber that transport your taste buds straight to a sunny Greek coastline.
• Super Quick and Easy Weeknight Meal: Ready in just 30 minutes, this no-fuss recipe requires minimal cooking skills and simple ingredients, making it perfect for busy home cooks who want delicious results without complex techniques.
• Versatile Summer Crowd-Pleaser: Wonderful for picnics, potlucks, or casual dinner parties, this chilled salad serves as a refreshing side dish or light lunch that appeals to multiple dietary preferences and can be prepared ahead of time.
• Textural Delight with Creamy and Crunchy Elements: Soft, tender orzo pasta combines beautifully with crisp cucumber, tangy feta cheese, and tender herbs, creating a delightful mouthfeel that keeps every bite interesting and satisfying.

Must-Have Ingredients for Contessa Orzo Cucumber Salad

• Orzo: Small rice-shaped pasta with soft texture, perfect for cold salads and easy to cook quickly.

• Cucumber: Crisp and refreshing vegetable that adds cool crunch and lightness to the salad.
• Scallions: Mild onion-like herb with gentle green flavor and attractive color.
• Red Onion: Sharp and colorful allium that provides zesty bite and visual interest.

• Dill: Delicate herb with feathery texture and bright, tangy flavor that complements seafood and salads.
• Parsley: Fresh green herb that adds clean, bright note and enhances overall salad appearance.
• Feta Cheese: Crumbly Greek cheese with salty, tangy profile that adds creamy texture to the salad.

• Lemon Juice: Bright, acidic liquid that provides fresh, citrusy balance to the salad.
• Olive Oil: Smooth, rich oil that helps blend flavors and creates silky dressing texture.
• Salt: Essential seasoning that enhances and balances all other ingredients.
• Black Pepper: Warm, slightly spicy seasoning that adds depth to the dressing.

Simple Guide to Contessa Orzo Salad with Cucumber

Step 1: Boil Orzo Perfectly

Grab a pot and fill with water. Add a pinch of salt and of olive oil. Bring water to a rolling boil. Pour in of orzo and simmer for 8-10 minutes until tender but firm. Drain in a colander and transfer to a large mixing bowl.

Step 2: Prepare Fresh Cucumber

Wash 1 cucumber thoroughly. Slice lengthwise and scoop out seeds using a spoon. Dice cucumber into 1/2-inch uniform cubes for consistent texture.

Step 3: Craft Zesty Dressing

• Fresh lemon juice
• Extra virgin olive oil
• Kosher salt
• Freshly ground black pepper

Step 4: Combine Salad Components

• 3 chopped scallions
• Fresh dill
• Chopped parsley
• Prepared cucumber cubes
• Finely diced red onion

Gently fold ingredients. Sprinkle crumbled feta cheese and mix delicately.

Step 5: Rest And Serve

Let salad sit at room temperature for 1 hour to allow flavors to meld. If not serving immediately, refrigerate. Before serving, allow salad to come back to room temperature for optimal taste.

Pointers for a Great Contessa Orzo Cucumber Salad

• Chill and Enhance: Refrigerate the salad for at least an hour to let flavors deeply mingle and intensify.
• Customize with Confidence: Swap ingredients like adding grilled shrimp or switching feta for goat cheese to match your taste preferences.
• Preserve Herb Brilliance: Slice herbs just moments before mixing to lock in their most vibrant colors and most potent flavors.
• Control Cucumber Moisture: Remove seeds using a spoon to prevent watery texture and maintain salad's crisp, fresh character.
• Perfect Pasta Precision: Cook orzo until just tender with a slight bite, avoiding mushy consistency for ideal texture.

How to Store Contessa Orzo Salad

• Cool Storage Method: Transfer the orzo salad into a sealed glass container with a tight-fitting lid. Glass prevents flavor absorption and keeps ingredients fresh longer than plastic containers.
• Temperature Management: Maintain a consistent refrigerator temperature between 35-40°F to preserve the salad's texture and flavor profile. Coldest areas near the back work best for optimal preservation.
• Quick Consumption Strategy: Enjoy the salad within 2-3 days for peak taste and texture. Fresh herbs and cucumber will start losing their crisp quality after this period, diminishing the salad's overall appeal. Gently stir before serving to redistribute seasonings and revive the ingredients' vibrancy.

Variations on Contessa Orzo Cucumber Salad

• Mediterranean Marvel: Swap feta for crumbled goat cheese and add kalamata olives. Include sun-dried tomatoes and a sprinkle of dried oregano for an authentic Greek-inspired version.
• Protein Power Boost: Mix in grilled chicken or chickpeas for extra protein. Replace some herbs with fresh mint and add a handful of toasted pine nuts for crunch.
• Spicy Summer Splash: Incorporate diced jalapeños or a pinch of red pepper flakes. Include grilled corn kernels and swap some olive oil with a dash of hot sauce for a zesty kick.
• Seafood Sensation: Replace feta with cooked shrimp or crab meat. Add chopped fresh basil and a splash of white wine vinegar to brighten the flavors. Garnish with lemon zest for an extra coastal touch.

Looking Back at Contessa Orzo Salad with Cucumber

Mediterranean magic unfolds in Barefoot Contessa’s orzo salad, where Mediterranean ingredients dance together with zesty charm.

Lemon-kissed dressing mingles with fresh herbs, creating a symphony of flavors that transport palates to Greek coastal landscapes.

Crisp cucumber, pungent red onion, and creamy feta provide textural contrasts that elevate this simple dish.

Scallions and dill add bright, herbaceous notes that sing of summer’s freshness.

Mediterranean cuisine celebrates simplicity and quality ingredients, making this salad a perfect embodiment of those culinary principles.

Passionate cooks and curious taste adventurers will find pure delight in each forkful – so grab those ingredients, channel inner Ina Garten, and spread the love by sharing this recipe with friends who crave Mediterranean sunshine on their plates.

Barefoot Contessa Orzo Salad With Cucumber Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.7 from 36 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Ina Garten’s orzo salad brings Mediterranean flavors to life with fresh cucumber, herbs, and tangy feta. Refreshing ingredients blend seamlessly, creating a light yet satisfying dish perfect for summer gatherings and picnic spreads you’ll want to savor again and again.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• ¾ pound (340 grams) orzo (rice-shaped pasta)
• ¾ pound (340 grams) feta cheese, large-diced
• 1 cup (150 grams) medium-diced hothouse cucumber, unpeeled and seeded

Fresh Herbs and Aromatics:

• 1 cup (240 milliliters) minced scallions, white and green parts
• 1 cup (240 milliliters) chopped fresh dill
• 1 cup (240 milliliters) chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
• ½ cup (80 grams) small-diced red onion

Dressing and Seasoning:

• ½ cup (120 milliliters) freshly squeezed lemon juice (3 lemons)
• Kosher salt
• Freshly ground black pepper
• Good olive oil

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. In a medium saucepan, bring 4 cups (950 milliliters) of water to a rolling boil. Add 1/2 teaspoon (2.5 grams) salt and 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) olive oil to enhance flavor and prevent sticking.
2. Pour orzo into the boiling water and reduce heat to medium-low. Stir occasionally to prevent clumping and cook for 8-10 minutes until pasta reaches a tender al dente texture.
3. Drain orzo in a colander, then transfer to a large mixing bowl. Allow the pasta to cool slightly and release steam while preparing other ingredients.
4. Thoroughly rinse the cucumber under cold water. Slice lengthwise and use a spoon to remove seeds, ensuring a crisp texture for the salad.
5. Dice the cucumber into uniform 1/2-inch (1.3 centimeters) cubes to provide consistent texture and even distribution throughout the salad.
6. In a small mixing bowl, whisk together fresh lemon juice, extra virgin olive oil, kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper to create a vibrant, zesty dressing.
7. Pour the prepared dressing over the cooled orzo and gently toss to ensure even coating and flavor absorption.
8. Add finely chopped scallions, fresh dill, chopped parsley, diced cucumber, and thinly sliced red onion to the orzo mixture.
9. Carefully fold in crumbled feta cheese, maintaining the delicate texture of the cheese and preventing excessive breaking.
10. Let the salad rest at room temperature for 45-60 minutes to allow flavors to meld and ingredients to reach optimal temperature before serving.

Notes

• Master the art of uniform vegetable chopping to guarantee consistent flavor distribution in every single bite.
• Refrigerate leftovers promptly to maintain freshness and enjoy the salad’s vibrant taste within 2-3 days.
• Experiment with different herb combinations like mint or basil to personalize the Mediterranean flavor profile.
• Premium extra virgin olive oil transforms this simple salad into a restaurant-quality culinary experience.
• Room temperature resting allows ingredients to harmonize, creating deeper and more complex taste layers.
• Fresh herbs elevate the dish from ordinary to extraordinary, adding brightness and garden-fresh aromatics.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Boiling
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 330 kcal
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 700 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 8 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 11 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg