Cold Lemon Orzo Salad with Shrimp
Whipped up in mere minutes, this chilled shrimp and orzo salad delivers a burst of refreshing flavors for those warm summer days. Packed with succulent shrimp, al dente orzo, crisp vegetables, and a zesty lemon dressing with fresh basil, this effortless salad captures the essence of summer in every bite.
Ingredients
For the Salad
- 1 cup orzo (cooked)
- 1 lb shrimp (peeled and deveined)
- 1 bunch asparagus (cut into 2 inch pieces)
- 2 tsp olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- ¼ tsp lemon zest
- 1 cup Kalamata olives (pitted)
- ½ cup feta cheese (crumbled)
- salt and pepper (to taste)
For the Dessing
- ¼ cup olive oil
- ¼ cup lemon juice (about 1-2 lemons)
- 1 clove garlic (minced)
- 1 tbsp basil (fresh, chopped)
- salt and pepper (to taste)
Instructions
To Make the Salad
- Cook orzo in a pan of salted water per package directions. Drain and transfer to a large bowl to cool.
- Preheat oven to 450º.
- Cut the asparagus into 2-3 inch pieces and add to a bowl with the shrimp. Add olive oil, lemon zest, garlic and salt and pepper. Stir to coat and place on a rimmed baking pan. Roast for about 5 minutes until the shrimp are cooked through.
- Add shrimp and asparagus to orzo add kalamata olives and toss to combine.
To Make the Dressing
- In a jar with a lid, combine the olive oil, lemon juice, garlic and basil. Shake, add salt and pepper to taste. Drizzle half over the salad and toss to coat. Save the rest for drizzling over the salad.
- sprinkle with feta cheese.
- Serve at room temperature or refrigerate to serve cold.
Barbara's Notes + Tips
- Be sure to cook the orzo just until it's tender with a slight bite.
- Allow the cooked orzo, roasted shrimp, and asparagus to cool slightly before combining them.
- Don't over cook the shrimp, they will take 5-8 minutes depending on the size.
Nutrition
Calories: 334kcal | Carbohydrates: 24g | Protein: 22g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 11g | Trans Fat: 0.003g | Cholesterol: 133mg | Sodium: 587mg | Potassium: 442mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 727IU | Vitamin C: 9mg | Calcium: 149mg | Iron: 3mg
