How Do You Make Vegan Orzo Pasta Salad? (Vegan Orzo Salad Recipe)

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This Vegan Orzo Pasta Salad recipe is the perfect go-to meal for a vegan diet. It’s healthy, easy to make, and takes less than 30 minutes!

Vegan Orzo Pasta Salad Recipe

This Vegan Orzo Pasta Salad recipe is the perfect go-to meal for a vegan diet. It’s healthy, easy to make, and takes less than 30 minutes!

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A pasta salad is a picnic staple, but traditional versions are packed with mayonnaise and cream cheese. This vegan orzo salad doesn’t have either of those things, and it’s incredibly tasty—no one will miss the eggs or dairy! Plus, it can be made in just 25 minutes so that you can have this delicious lunch or dinner on the table in less than half an hour.

This quick and easy pasta salad is a great dish on hot days. Make it in advance to let the flavors come together. It tastes even better after the flavors mingle for a day or two!

What is orzo?

Orzo is a type of rice-shaped pasta that is used primarily for soups.

In Italy, it is often served in soup, but it’s also delicious with oil and lemon juice as a side dish or on its own. It can be eaten hot or cold.

The word “orzo” means barley in Italian, which explains the shape of this pasta that looks like small pieces of rice.

Is orzo pasta vegan?

Orzo is nearly always vegan-friendly because it doesn’t contain eggs or dairy. Just check the ingredients label if you’re unsure. At its most basic, orzo pasta is made with flour, water, and salt. It’s great for a plant-based diet!

You can substitute any vegan pasta you’d like in this recipe, though.

Ingredients for Vegan Orzo Salad

• 2 T. extra virgin olive oil
• 3 cloves garlic, finely minced
• 1 large (or 2 medium) tomato, seeded and chopped
• 1½ c. orzo pasta, cooked according to package directions
• 2 T. capers
• 1 T. caper liquid
• 1 T. fresh lemon juice
• 1 T. fresh thyme leaves
• 1 T. fresh parsley, chopped
• Sea salt and black pepper, to taste

How do you make vegan orzo pasta salad?

A vegan orzo pasta salad is a take on an Italian dish, but it is made entirely from plant-based ingredients.

This vegan orzo pasta salad begins with cooking the garlic and tomatoes in a bit of olive oil while you’ve got your pasta cooking. Once the orzo pasta is ready, the rest of the ingredients are added.

This includes the cooked orzo pasta (or any other type of short-cut pasta), capers, caper liquid, lemon juice, fresh thyme leaves, fresh parsley, and finally, salt and pepper to taste.

All the ingredients should be mixed in a bowl and then stored in the fridge for at least one hour before serving to allow all the flavors to mix. Ideally, make it a day or two ahead of time to let the flavors really mingle.

This vegan orzo pasta salad can be served cold as a side dish or can be used as a main dish.

How do you boil orzo?

Orzo can be boiled in the same way as you would cook regular pasta.

Bring a big pot of water to a boil and add salt (1 Tbsp per 4 quarts of water). Once your water is boiling, add 1 pound of orzo pasta. Allow it to boil for 7-10 minutes or until al dente.

Can you overcook orzo?

Yes, you can. Remove it from heat as soon as the pasta is al dente, which means that there should be a slight resistance when you bite into it with your teeth.

Overcooked orzo becomes mushy, which is neither appealing nor appetizing.

If you’re using a saucepan for cooking the orzo rather than a big pot, it’s more difficult to judge how much water is needed and how long it takes for the pasta to get done. Monitor its progress closely!

Should orzo be rinsed?

Orzo should not be rinsed before cooking. It’s similar to other types of pasta in that it absorbs the water around it and becomes mushy if water is added shortly before cooking.

However, since this is an orzo salad (aka a pasta salad), you should rinse your cooked orzo pasta with cold water to prevent further cooking. Rinse your pasta just after you’ve drained the boiling water from it; you can usually do this by pouring cold running water over the hot pasta and soaking it for a minute. This will stop the orzo from cooking any further; otherwise, it will continue to cook in its own hot water for as long as you leave it.

Is there a substitute for orzo pasta?

If you can’t find orzo pasta, you can substitute it with another small-sized pasta such as orecchiette (small shells) or acini de pepe. Small elbow macaroni could also work.

Is there a gluten-free substitute for orzo?

Yes. You can find gluten free orzo in many stores in health food or special diet aisles. Alternatively, try out quinoa fusilli pasta, lentil penne pasta, or gluten-free rice pasta for a delicious option that’s perfect for any meal!

Make this recipe for orzo pasta salad!

How long does this orzo salad recipe last in the fridge?

Once the orzo pasta salad has been chilled, it can last for several days in a sealed container. This is because the lemon juice in the dressing naturally preserves all of the ingredients. It’s ready to eat whenever you’d like to bite!

This pasta salad is one of our favorite potluck recipes. Share your favorite vegan dish to take to a gathering!

More Pasta Salad Recipes

Here are some of our other favorite non-vegan pasta salad recipes:

• Tortellini Pasta Salad
• Mexican Macaroni Ham Salad