• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Crumb Top Baking

Healthier Desserts and Savory Recipes

  • Home
  • About & Contact
  • Recipes
  • Work With Me
  • Subscribe
You are here: Home / All Recipes / Summer Vegetable Orzo Salad (Vegetarian)

Summer Vegetable Orzo Salad (Vegetarian)

July 11, 2019 By Leanne 20 Comments

  • Share
  • Twitter
  • Yummly
Jump to Recipe

Summer Vegetable Orzo Salad is a light and fresh pasta salad, loaded with grilled corn and zucchini, peaches, basil and feta. It brings together the best of summer ingredients, making it the perfect side dish for BBQs, picnics and potlucks.

Overhead view of summer vegetable orzo salad in a grey bowl on a white surface.

Summer Side Dishes

When it comes to summer grilling, I’m definitely all about the side dishes. Don’t get me wrong, I love a good turkey burger, chicken breast or salmon fillet cooked on the grill, but what I look forward to the most are all the sides. And summer vegetables make the best side dishes!

So when I make a pasta salad, which is usually a crowd pleaser for a summer gathering, I never pass up the opportunity to add some veggies and even fruit. That’s why this orzo pasta salad includes corn, zucchini, tomatoes, basil and peaches. It’s a sweet and savoury combination that’s all pulled together with a tangy honey garlic vinaigrette.

Overhead view of ingredients to make orzo salad on a wooden cutting board.

What is Orzo?

Orzo is a small rice-shaped pasta that’s versatile and works beautifully in pasta or rice-style dishes. You can serve it up as a side dish like you would rice, or you can add it to casseroles, soups or salads. I love adding it to chicken soup, but it also bakes up nicely in a cheesy casserole, and of course, it’s the perfect base for a light summer pasta salad.

What do you need to make Summer Vegetable Orzo Salad?

  • Orzo
  • Corn
  • Zucchini
  • Peaches
  • Baby tomatoes
  • Fresh basil
  • Crumbled feta
  • And the usual suspects for a homemade vinaigrette:
    • evoo, white wine vinegar, honey, lemon, garlic and salt

Up-close view of ingredients to make orzo salad in a grey bowl.

Some tips for making Summer Vegetable Orzo Salad:

  • After you’ve cooked the orzo according to package instructions, drain and cover until ready to use. I wait for the orzo to cool fully before adding it to the salad, and I also stir in a little drizzle of olive oil to help prevent the orzo from clumping as it cools.
  • If you’re not into grilling, you can roast your corn and zucchini in the oven or use canned corn and add raw zucchini and peaches to your salad.
  • If the peaches are extra firm, I usually grill them, but this isn’t necessary for the recipe. Whether grilled or raw, just make sure to chop your peaches into bite-sized pieces. I also leave the skin on, especially if I’m grilling them.
  • I like my corn with grill marks, so I cook the corn right on the grill. If you prefer to grill your corn with the husk on or in foil, that works for this salad too. For some how-to’s on grilling corn, Marcie at Flavor the Moments has a tutorial on how to grill corn using three different techniques.

Overhead view of orzo salad being assembled in a grey bowl on a white surface.

Can you make Orzo Salad in advance?

I always make this salad in advance, and you can do this in two ways. Prepare all the ingredients (including the vinaigrette) in advance, and toss to combine just before serving. Or toss everything together and store in the fridge until ready to serve. If you go with the latter, it’s best to reserve a little bit of the vinaigrette and add it to the salad just before serving. This helps break up the orzo if it has stuck together while resting in the fridge.

How long will Orzo Salad last?

This orzo salad will last 3-4 days in the fridge. The basil will wilt, but the flavours infuse the longer it rests in the fridge.

Overhead view of summer vegetable orzo salad in a grey bowl with wooden serving spoons.

If you make this Summer Vegetable Orzo Salad, I would love to hear what you think in the comments below. And if you’re looking for more summer side salads, be sure to check out the following:

  • Kale Caesar Salad with Shrimp and Garlic Lime Tahini Dressing
  • Stone Fruit Salad with Honey Mint Vinaigrette
  • Blueberry Peach Quinoa Salad

HUNGRY FOR MORE?  Don’t forget to sign up for the Crumb Top Baking Newsletter and follow along on Instagram, Pinterest and Facebook!

Print
clock clock icon cutlery cutlery icon flag flag icon folder folder icon instagram instagram icon pinterest pinterest icon facebook facebook icon print print icon squares squares icon heart heart icon heart solid heart solid icon
Overhead view of summer vegetable orzo salad in a grey bowl on a white surface.

Summer Vegetable Orzo Salad (Vegetarian)

★★★★★ 5 from 9 reviews
  • Author: Leanne
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • Total Time: 40 minutes
  • Yield: 6-8 servings 1x
  • Category: Dinner, Lunch
  • Method: Grill, Cook, Toss
  • Cuisine: American
Print Recipe
Pin Recipe

Description

Summer Vegetable Orzo Salad is a light and fresh pasta salad, loaded with grilled corn and zucchini, peaches, basil and feta. It brings together the best of summer ingredients, making it the perfect side dish for BBQs, picnics and potlucks.


Ingredients

Scale

For the vinaigrette:

  • 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons liquid honey
  • 1 tablespoon white wine vinegar
  • 1 lemon, juiced
  • 2 cloves garlic
  • dash of salt

For the salad:

  • 1 1/2 cups orzo, uncooked
  • 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 2 ears of fresh corn, husk removed
  • 2 medium-sized zucchini, halved lengthwise
  • 2 medium-sized peaches, skin on, halved and pitted
  • 1 1/2 cups grape or cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1/2 cup fresh basil, packed and torn
  • 1/2 cup crumbled feta

Instructions

Prepare the vinaigrette:

  1. Add the ingredients to a blender and blend on high until emulsified.
  2. Pour into a jar or dish with a lid, and refrigerate until ready to use. If the oil settles or the vinaigrette gels, just stir or shake it before using.

Prepare the salad:

  1. Cook the orzo according to package instructions, then drain and cover until ready to use. Wait for the orzo to cool fully before adding it to the salad. You may wish to stir in a drizzle of olive oil to help prevent the orzo from clumping as it cools.
  2. Pre-heat your grill on high. Brush the corn, zucchini and peaches with the 1 tablespoon of oil, and season the corn and zucchini with salt and pepper. Reduce heat to medium, and add the corn to the grill and grill for 12-16 minutes, rotating every few minutes until the corn starts to char and is cooked on all sides.
  3. Once the corn has been on the grill for about 5 minutes, add the zucchini and peaches. Grill for 6-8 minutes, flipping at the halfway mark. You’ll want them to be tender but not mushy.
  4. Remove the corn, zucchini and peaches from the grill and let cool. Once cooled, cut the corn away from the cob and chop the zucchini and peaches into bite-sized pieces.
  5. In a large bowl, add the orzo, corn, zucchini, peaches, tomatoes, basil, feta and vinaigrette, and toss to combine. Serve immediately, or store in an airtight container in the fridge and enjoy within 3-4 days.

Notes

  1. If you’re not into grilling, you can roast your corn and zucchini in the oven or use canned corn and add raw zucchini and peaches to your salad.
  2. If the peaches are extra firm, I usually grill them, but this isn’t necessary for the recipe. Whether grilled or raw, just make sure to chop your peaches into bite-sized pieces.
  3. I like my corn with grill marks, so I cook the corn right on the grill. If you prefer to grill your corn with the husk on or in foil, that works for this salad too.
  4. If you make this salad in advance, reserve a little bit of the vinaigrette and add it to the salad just before serving. This helps break up the orzo if it has stuck together while resting in the fridge.

Keywords: summer salad, orzo salad

Did you make this recipe?

Tag @crumbtopbaking on Instagram and hashtag it #crumbtopbaking

Pinterest image for Summer Vegetable Orzo Salad.

Filed Under: All Recipes, Light Lunch Recipes, Peach Recipes, Salads, Side Dishes, Vegetarian

Previous Post: « Peach Ricotta Skillet Cake (Easy Recipe)
Next Post: Cherry Chocolate Chip Nice Cream (Vegan) »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Charlotte | Maple et Chocolat says

    August 15, 2020 at 6:33 pm

    This summer salad really hit the spot for me! It was refreshing and so flavourful. I’ll definitely be making it again!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Leanne says

      August 18, 2020 at 9:21 pm

      Thanks so much Charlotte! I’m happy you enjoyed it!

      Reply
  2. Ellen says

    August 7, 2019 at 6:16 am

    Such a great side dish for any summer meal! I’m sure grilling the veggies adds so much flavor.

    Reply
    • Leanne says

      August 12, 2019 at 12:39 pm

      Thanks Ellen! The grilled veggies add a nice flavour and texture!

      Reply
  3. Terry says

    July 14, 2019 at 11:42 am

    I never knew what orzo was! Haha Thanks for sharing, it’s definitely something I will be trying. Perfect for summer BBQs.

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Leanne says

      July 15, 2019 at 10:37 am

      Thanks Terry! Happy I could share something new! Hope you get to try it!

      Reply
  4. marcie says

    July 12, 2019 at 11:25 pm

    Orzo is hands down my favorite pasta….even though I can’t eat pasta much anymore! lol I love all of the summer ingredients you’ve packed into here and your photos are just beautiful!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Leanne says

      July 15, 2019 at 10:34 am

      Thanks so much Marcie! I can’t eat a lot of pasta anymore either, unless it is grain-free, but I make an exception for orzo!

      Reply
  5. Dawn - Girl Heart Food says

    July 12, 2019 at 11:51 am

    I’m all about those side dishes too! And even just regular weekday dinners, I typically always reach for the veggie side first before the main. Funny thing! Anywho, love orzo, especially in salads and this one looks perfect for summer! Love those grill marks on the veggies…makes things extra special. So much yum packed into one bowl! Happy Friday, Leanne 🙂

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Leanne says

      July 15, 2019 at 10:33 am

      Thanks Dawn! Hope you had a lovely weekend! I’m glad I’m not alone in my love for all the side dishes!

      Reply
  6. Katherine | Love In My Oven says

    July 11, 2019 at 6:35 pm

    I agree, summer vegetables definitely make the best salads!! And I also love to reference Marcie’s post on grilling corn! This salad looks so bright and beautiful, Leanne. I love it! I’m all about the sides too and this one would make a fantastic side!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Leanne says

      July 12, 2019 at 9:16 am

      Thanks Katherine! Yes, Marcie’s how-to post is a good one! Happy almost weekend my friend. Hope you get some grilling time in! 😉

      Reply
  7. Jennifer @ Seasons and Suppers says

    July 11, 2019 at 12:46 pm

    Orzo is my go-top pasta for Summer eating, so I’m definitely putting this one on the menu! Such a great side dish for anything off the BBQ 🙂

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Leanne says

      July 12, 2019 at 9:14 am

      Thanks Jennifer! Hope you get a chance to make it this summer!

      Reply
  8. Kelsie | the itsy-bitsy kitchen says

    July 11, 2019 at 11:59 am

    LOOOOVE orzo! OMG my mom used to cook with orzo all the time when I was growing up so I’m totally going to make this salad for her next time she visits. It looks delicious!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Leanne says

      July 12, 2019 at 9:14 am

      Yay! Thanks Kelsie! Hope your mom likes it!

      Reply
  9. Haylie / Our Balanced Bowl says

    July 11, 2019 at 11:34 am

    Obsessed with this recipe! From the freshly grilled peaches to the delicious orzo….YUM!! This totally screams Summer and I am so here for it! Love how this dish pops – totally not your average pasta salad to bring to a cookout!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Leanne says

      July 12, 2019 at 9:13 am

      Thanks Haylie! This one is definitely on my list to bring to all our summer gatherings! Glad you like it!

      Reply
  10. Mary Ann | The Beach House Kitchen says

    July 11, 2019 at 10:46 am

    I love salads with orzo Leanne! And you know I’m loving all the summer veggies. Can’t wait to try your recipe!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Leanne says

      July 12, 2019 at 9:12 am

      All the summer veggies are so good right now! Thanks Mary Ann!

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe rating ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

Find a Recipe

Meet Leanne

Hey there! I'm Leanne and welcome to Crumb Top Baking. I'm a self-taught baker, home cook and food photographer, and I'm passionate about sharing recipes that help people eat a little healthier and find balance in the recipes they prepare for themselves and their families. Learn more about me and what you'll find on Crumb Top Baking....

Follow Crumb Top Baking

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
Healthier Desserts
Dairy-Free Recipes
Gluten-Free Recipes

Search by Recipe Category

Popular Posts

  • Overhead view of air fryer tortilla chips arranged in bowls with dips, beer and jalapenos surrounding it. How to Make Air Fryer ...
  • White Wine Spritzer with Fruit in a wine glass on a pink surface. White Wine Spritzer with Fruit
  • Healthy date squares arranged on a sheet of wax paper. Healthy Date Squares (Vegan, Gluten-Free)

Copyright © 2021 crumbtopbaking.com - Privacy Policy & Terms of Use

This site uses cookies. By using this site, you agree to our use of cookies. Click here for more information.