Can’t get enough of protein-packed shrimp recipes like this? Try out my Garlic Shrimp Skewers, Skinny Shrimp Pasta, Shrimp Shish Kabob, Shrimp Avocado Corn Salad, and Ina Garten’s Roasted Shrimp Salad for even more shrimp dishes to enjoy. And if you need more recipes, be sure to check out my collection of Easy Seafood Recipes.
Ingredient Checklist
Because this lemon orzo salad uses so many fresh ingredients, nothing in your garden will go to waste. The following three sets of ingredients will prove just how simple this pasta salad is.
A guaranteed crowd-pleaser, this lemon shrimp orzo salad will be a hit at any summer get-together. The bold, zesty Mediterranean flavors coming from salty feta, crunchy cucumbers, and fresh parsley will make everyone ask for seconds. Protein-packed shrimp and carb-fueled orzo ensure that this flavorsome meal is both satisfying and filling. Ready in 20-30 minutes and make-ahead friendly, this shrimp and orzo pasta salad recipe is a godsend for multitaskers who are short on time. This easy salad recipe is a fantastic way to use fresh herbs from your garden—just like my Tabouli Salad!
Salad Dressing
Using only four basic ingredients, this zesty lemon blend is bound to be one of the easiest homemade salad dressings you’ll ever make. Inspired by my go-to lemon vinaigrette, it comes together in minutes. Just gather the following: freshly squeezed lemon juice (plus, optional lemon zest), extra virgin olive oil, kosher salt, and ground black pepper.
Roasted Shrimp
For this part, all you need is deveined shrimp, olive oil, kosher salt, and ground black pepper. However, if you want to make your shrimp extra delish, this Quick Shrimp Marinade will have your tastebuds begging for another bite.
Salad Ingredients
For the salad, gather together orzo, kosher salt, green onions, fresh dill, Italian parsley, English cucumber, red onion, and feta cheese. Feel free to use gluten-free orzo if you are following a celiac-friendly diet.
How To Make Shrimp and Orzo Salad?
Because this shrimp orzo salad recipe takes less than 30 minutes to prepare, you don’t have to worry about spending hours in the kitchen.
Make-Ahead & Storage Instructions
If you’re like me, then you know meal prep is a weekday must. Making meals ahead of time saves you stress, money, and energy, which is why I adore this Mediterranean Orzo Salad with shrimp.
Make it a day ahead: Not only can this shrimp orzo pasta be made ahead of time, but I even recommend it! Letting the flavors mix and marinate overnight adds depth, richness, and complexity to this already tasty dish the next day when you are ready to serve it. Serving: Before serving, remove the shrimp orzo from the fridge for about 30 minutes. This way, the pasta will have enough time to return to room temperature. Storage: This pasta salad can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
What To Serve with This Recipe?
While this Mediterranean Shrimp Orzo Salad makes a perfect meal on its own, you can make it a part of your summertime menu (perfect for your Memorial Day menu) along with:
Seasonal vegetables: Try it as a side dish with baked eggplant slices, roasted asparagus, baked shiitake mushrooms, and air fried green beans. Green Salads: Serve it along with Spring Mix Salad, Asparagus Salad, and Bibb Lettuce Salad. Your Other Seafood dishes: Breaded fish, grilled mahi-mahi, and your favorite fish tacos would make a delicious side dish with this summer salad.
Other Seafood Recipes You Might Also Like:
If you enjoyed this flavorful Greek Orzo Salad I suspect you might like the shrimp recipes below:
Don’t skimp on the salt in your pasta water. Because orzo is such a small pasta, adding enough salt ensures that every bite bursts with flavor. Taste-test your seasoning as you go along. Feta cheese, especially, can vary in how much extra salt it needs. Tasting your ingredients as you go is key to getting the perfect flavor balance. Shrimp can overcook easily, so keep an eye on it. Only 5-6 minutes are necessary to fully cook this shellfish. Also, be sure to dry them thoroughly with paper towels before roasting them. Though orzo is a traditional choice for this Mediterranean dish, other kinds of pasta—like elbow macaroni or ditalini—are just as delicious. Be prepared to multitask while making this dish. Because some steps are completed while other ingredients are cooking, this recipe comes together in a snap for practiced multitaskers. Let the dish sit for at least 30 minutes before serving. This step adds richness and depth by giving flavors time to marinate. You can easily double or halve this recipe depending on how much you want to make. During the summertime, give this recipe a smoky note by using grilled shrimp instead of baked shrimp. Not a fan of dill? You can do away with dill entirely or substitute it with fresh basil or fresh mint for a Mediterranean flavor, or a smaller amount of oregano for an Italian twist. If you prefer fewer herbs, substitute them for finely chopped romaine. Try it with goat cheese: I think the shrimp feta orzo combination is great but you can try it with crumbled goat cheese. During the summer months, if I have them, I also add a cup of sweet cherry tomatoes for extra flavor.
Salmon Nicoise Tuna and Chickpea Salad Tuna Melt Sandwich Recipe Ahi Tuna Salad Recipe Thai Salmon Soup Linguini with Shrimp Scampi Need more inspiration? Check out all our Seafood Recipes.
If you try this Mediterranean Shrimp Orzo Salad recipe or any other salad recipes on Foolproof Living, please take a minute to rate the recipe and leave a comment below. It is a great help to others who are thinking of making the recipe. And if you took some pictures, be sure to share them on Instagram using #foolproofeats so I can share them on my stories. This recipe was originally published in May 2014. It has been update with new photos and helpful information in June 2021.
