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Dill Cucumber Orzo with Tzatziki Drizzle Recipe

Dill Cucumber Orzo with Tzatziki Drizzle Recipe
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★★★★★

4.8 from 28 reviews

A refreshing and light Dill Cucumber Orzo salad featuring tender orzo pasta tossed with crisp cucumber, red onion, fresh dill, and tangy feta cheese, all topped with a creamy homemade tzatziki drizzle. Perfect as a side dish or a light meal, this Mediterranean-inspired recipe offers vibrant flavors and a satisfying texture that’s easy to prepare in just 25 minutes.

Ingredients

Scale

Orzo Salad

  • 1 cup dry orzo pasta
  • 1 medium cucumber, diced
  • 1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped
  • 2 tablespoons fresh dill, chopped
  • 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • Salt and black pepper to taste

Tzatziki Drizzle

  • 1/2 cup Greek yogurt
  • 1/4 cup grated cucumber, squeezed dry
  • 1 small garlic clove, minced
  • 1 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped
  • 1 teaspoon lemon juice
  • Pinch of salt

Instructions

  1. Cook the Orzo: Bring a pot of salted water to a boil and cook the orzo pasta according to package instructions, about 8–10 minutes, until tender. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process and cool the pasta.
  2. Prepare the Salad Base: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled orzo, diced cucumber, finely chopped red onion, chopped fresh dill, crumbled feta cheese, olive oil, and lemon juice. Season with salt and black pepper to your taste, then toss everything gently but thoroughly to combine all the flavors.
  3. Make the Tzatziki Drizzle: In a small bowl, mix together the Greek yogurt, grated cucumber (be sure to squeeze out excess moisture), minced garlic, chopped dill, lemon juice, and a pinch of salt. Stir until smooth and well combined to create a creamy and flavorful sauce.
  4. Assemble the Dish: Drizzle the prepared tzatziki sauce evenly over the orzo salad. You can gently fold in some of the sauce if preferred or leave it on top for presentation.
  5. Serve: Chill the salad in the refrigerator for at least 15 minutes for flavors to meld or serve immediately at room temperature. This refreshing dish pairs well with grilled meats or as a standalone light meal.

Notes

  • For best flavor, use fresh dill and Greek yogurt with full-fat for creaminess.
  • Be sure to squeeze out excess water from the grated cucumber to avoid watery tzatziki.
  • Can be made ahead and stored in the fridge covered for up to 2 days.
  • Optionally add cherry tomatoes or chopped mint for extra freshness.
  • This recipe is naturally gluten-free if using gluten-free orzo pasta.

Nutrition

Keywords: Dill Cucumber Orzo, orzo salad, tzatziki sauce, Greek yogurt, Mediterranean salad, vegetarian pasta salad

Find it online: https://maicook.com/dill-cucumber-orzo-with-tzatziki-drizzle-recipe/