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+ servings

Kritharaki Salad

A refreshing and hearty Greek salad made with orzo pasta, fresh vegetables, and a tangy lemon dressing, perfect for a light meal or side dish.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Salad, Side Dish
Cuisine: Greek
Calories: 320

Ingredients
  

For the Salad
  • 1 cup kritharaki (orzo pasta) uncooked
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
  • 1 cup cucumber diced
  • 1 cup bell pepper diced (red or yellow for sweetness)
  • ½ cup red onion finely chopped
  • ½ cup feta cheese crumbled
  • ¼ cup black olives sliced
  • ¼ cup fresh parsley chopped
For the Dressing
  • ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil high quality for best flavor
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice freshly squeezed
  • 1 clove garlic minced
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano Greek oregano preferred

Method
 

Cook the Kritharaki
  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. This helps to flavor the pasta as it cooks.
  2. Add the kritharaki (orzo pasta) to the boiling water and cook according to package instructions, usually about 8-10 minutes, until al dente.
  3. Once cooked, drain the pasta in a colander and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process and cool it down.
Prepare the Vegetables
  1. While the pasta is cooking, prepare the vegetables. Halve the cherry tomatoes, dice the cucumber and bell pepper, and finely chop the red onion.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the halved cherry tomatoes, diced cucumber, diced bell pepper, chopped red onion, crumbled feta cheese, sliced olives, and chopped parsley.
Make the Dressing
  1. In a small bowl, whisk together the extra virgin olive oil, freshly squeezed lemon juice, minced garlic, dried oregano, salt, and pepper until well combined.
  2. Taste the dressing and adjust the seasoning if necessary, adding more salt or pepper to your preference.
Combine and Serve
  1. Add the cooled kritharaki to the bowl with the vegetables and gently toss to combine.
  2. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss again until everything is evenly coated.
  3. Serve immediately or refrigerate for 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld. This salad can be enjoyed cold or at room temperature.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 320kcalCarbohydrates: 30gProtein: 9gFat: 20gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 12gCholesterol: 15mgSodium: 400mgPotassium: 300mgFiber: 3gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 800IUVitamin C: 25mgCalcium: 150mgIron: 2mg

Notes

This salad is versatile; feel free to add other ingredients like grilled chicken, chickpeas, or artichokes for extra protein and flavor. It can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

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