Grilled Vegetable Orzo Salad Recipe

Orzo: A small, rice-shaped pasta that cooks quickly and soaks up flavors well.

Zucchini: A mild, green summer squash that grills nicely and adds a tender texture.

Red bell pepper: Sweet and colorful, it adds crunch and a smoky flavor when grilled.

Yellow bell pepper: Similar to red bell pepper but with a slightly different sweetness and bright color.

Red onion: Adds a sharp, slightly sweet flavor that softens and caramelizes on the grill.

Olive oil: Used to coat the vegetables for grilling and adds a rich, fruity taste.

Salt: Enhances all the flavors in the dish.

Black pepper: Adds a little bit of heat and depth.

Feta cheese: A crumbly, salty cheese that adds creaminess and tang.

Lemon juice: Freshly squeezed for a bright, zesty kick.

Fresh basil: Adds a fragrant, herbal note that ties everything together.

One of the most important steps in this Grilled Vegetable Orzo Salad recipe is grilling the vegetables just right. Getting that perfect tender texture with a little bit of char makes the salad taste amazing. Here’s how you can do it step by step:

1. Preheat your grill to medium-high heat. This means the grill should be hot but not smoking. If it’s too hot, the vegetables might burn on the outside before they cook through.
2. Toss your sliced zucchini, red and yellow bell peppers, and red onion with 1 tablespoon of olive oil, salt, and black pepper. The oil helps the veggies cook evenly and prevents sticking.
3. Place the veggies on the grill in a single layer. Don’t crowd them because they need space to get those nice grill marks.
4. Let them cook for about 5 to 7 minutes on one side without moving them around too much. This helps create those tasty charred spots.
5. Flip the vegetables carefully using tongs or a spatula and grill the other side for another 5 to 7 minutes until they’re tender but still have a little bite.

Grilling the vegetables this way makes the flavors pop and adds a smoky touch that’s hard to get from just roasting or sautéing. Plus, the slight char adds a fun texture that makes the salad more interesting to eat.

When I first tried grilling veggies, I made the mistake of flipping them too often, and they didn’t get those beautiful grill marks. Now, I wait patiently and it’s totally worth it. Also, if you don’t have a grill, you can use a grill pan on the stove and follow the same steps—it works just as well!

• orzo - Substitute with couscous: Couscous has a similar texture and can absorb flavors well, making it a great alternative to orzo.

• sliced zucchini - Substitute with sliced eggplant: Eggplant has a similar texture and can be grilled to achieve a comparable flavor profile.

• sliced red bell pepper - Substitute with sliced cherry tomatoes: Cherry tomatoes provide a burst of sweetness and acidity, similar to red bell peppers.

• sliced yellow bell pepper - Substitute with sliced orange bell pepper: Orange bell peppers have a similar sweetness and color, making them a good alternative.

• sliced red onion - Substitute with sliced shallots: Shallots offer a milder flavor and can be grilled to bring out their natural sweetness.

• olive oil - Substitute with avocado oil: Avocado oil has a high smoke point and a neutral flavor, making it suitable for grilling vegetables.

• salt - Substitute with soy sauce: Soy sauce adds a savory umami flavor and can enhance the taste of grilled vegetables.

• black pepper - Substitute with white pepper: White pepper provides a similar heat and flavor but with a slightly different aroma.

• crumbled feta cheese - Substitute with goat cheese: Goat cheese has a similar tangy flavor and creamy texture, making it a good alternative to feta.

• freshly squeezed lemon juice - Substitute with lime juice: Lime juice offers a similar acidity and brightness, enhancing the flavors of the salad.

• chopped fresh basil - Substitute with chopped fresh parsley: Parsley provides a fresh, herbaceous flavor that complements the other ingredients well.

• Allow the orzo salad to cool completely before storing. This prevents condensation, which can make the salad soggy.

• Transfer the grilled vegetable orzo salad to an airtight container. This helps maintain freshness and prevents the salad from absorbing other odors in the fridge.

• Store the salad in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. The flavors will meld together beautifully, making it even more delicious over time.

• For longer storage, consider freezing the salad. Place the salad in a freezer-safe container or a resealable plastic bag. Remove as much air as possible to prevent freezer burn.

• Label the container with the date to keep track of its freshness. Frozen grilled vegetable orzo salad can be stored for up to 1 month.

• When ready to enjoy, thaw the salad in the refrigerator overnight. This slow thawing process helps retain the texture and flavor of the vegetables and orzo.

• If the salad seems a bit dry after thawing, refresh it with a drizzle of olive oil and a squeeze of lemon juice. This will revive the flavors and bring back its vibrant taste.

• For an extra burst of freshness, add a sprinkle of freshly chopped basil or a bit more feta cheese before serving. This will enhance the overall flavor profile and make the salad taste as good as new.

• Serve the salad chilled or at room temperature. If you prefer it warm, gently reheat it in a skillet over low heat, stirring occasionally until warmed through. Avoid microwaving as it can make the vegetables mushy.

• Stovetop Method:

  1. Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat.
  2. Add a splash of olive oil to the pan.
  3. Add the leftover Grilled Vegetable Orzo Salad to the skillet.
  4. Stir occasionally for about 5-7 minutes until heated through.
  5. If the salad seems dry, add a bit more olive oil or a splash of lemon juice to refresh the flavors.

• Microwave Method:

  1. Place the leftover Grilled Vegetable Orzo Salad in a microwave-safe dish.
  2. Cover the dish with a microwave-safe lid or a damp paper towel to retain moisture.
  3. Microwave on medium power for 1-2 minutes.
  4. Stir the salad and check the temperature.
  5. Continue microwaving in 30-second intervals until heated through.

• Oven Method:

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Spread the leftover Grilled Vegetable Orzo Salad evenly in an oven-safe dish.
  3. Cover the dish with aluminum foil to prevent drying out.
  4. Bake for about 15-20 minutes, stirring halfway through.
  5. Remove the foil for the last 5 minutes if you prefer a slightly crispy texture.

• Steaming Method:

  1. Set up a steamer basket over a pot of simmering water.
  2. Place the leftover Grilled Vegetable Orzo Salad in the steamer basket.
  3. Cover and steam for about 5-7 minutes.
  4. Stir occasionally to ensure even heating.
  5. This method helps retain the moisture and freshness of the vegetables.

• Sous Vide Method:

  1. Place the leftover Grilled Vegetable Orzo Salad in a vacuum-sealed bag or a resealable plastic bag using the water displacement method.
  2. Set your sous vide machine to 140°F (60°C).
  3. Submerge the bag in the water bath and cook for about 30 minutes.
  4. Remove the bag, open it carefully, and serve immediately.

• Air Fryer Method:

  1. Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Place the leftover Grilled Vegetable Orzo Salad in an air fryer-safe dish.
  3. Heat for about 5-7 minutes, stirring halfway through.
  4. This method can give a slightly crispy texture to the orzo and vegetables.

• Pot: used to cook the orzo according to package instructions.

• Colander: used to drain the cooked orzo.

• Grill: preheated to medium-high heat for grilling the vegetables.

• Tongs: used to turn the vegetables on the grill to ensure they are evenly charred.

• Cutting board: used to slice the zucchini, bell peppers, and red onion.

• Chef's knife: used to slice the vegetables and chop the fresh basil.

• Mixing bowl: used to combine the cooked orzo, grilled vegetables, olive oil, lemon juice, feta cheese, and fresh basil.

• Measuring cups: used to measure the orzo, olive oil, and lemon juice.

• Measuring spoons: used to measure the salt, black pepper, and chopped fresh basil.

• Salad tongs: used to toss the salad ingredients together.

• Serving dish: used to serve the grilled vegetable orzo salad warm or chilled.

Pre-cook the orzo: Cook the orzo in advance and store it in the fridge. This way, you can quickly assemble the salad when needed.

Use a grill pan: If you don't have time to fire up the grill, use a grill pan on your stovetop to grill the vegetables.

Chop ahead: Slice the zucchini, bell peppers, and red onion the night before and store them in airtight containers.

Batch dressing: Make a larger batch of the lemon juice and olive oil dressing to use for other salads throughout the week.