Summer Veggie Orzo Salad
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This Summer Veggie Orzo Salad is packed with chilled orzo, chickpeas, crisp veggies, and a light chipotle dressing. Perfect for lunches or a party!
This Summer Veggie Orzo Salad is a rainbow in a bowl 🌈 So many different veggies are chopped up and tossed with chilled orzo, chickpeas and a light chipotle dressing. This summer salad is ready in 30 minutes and is great for a BBQ or make ahead lunches. The longer you let this marinate in the fridge, the better!
Step One: Cook the Orzo & Chop the Veggies
This recipe comes together super quickly! The majority of your time will be spent chopping the veggies.
Start by bringing a large pot of water to a boil. Add the dry orzo and cook according to the package instructions – it should take 8-10 minutes for the orzo to get tender. Drain the orzo, rinse it with cold water and set aside.
While the orzo is cooking, get to chopping. Here is what we’re using:
- bell peppers
- zucchini
- red onion
- jalapeño
- corn
- cilantro
Step Two: Make the Dressing
The dressing for this recipe is light, but has the perfect amount of kick. Here is what you need:
- avocado oil
- lime juice
- apple cider vinegar
- agave
- garlic
- chipotle pepper in adobo
- salt & pepper
Add everything to a bowl (or a jar, like I used) and whisk until everything is combined. Play around with the lime juice & apple cider vinegar until it has the right tang to it!
Step Three: Assemble & Serve
Now it is time to assemble! Grab the largest bowl you have and add the orzo, veggies and a can of chickpeas. Pour the dressing over everything and toss, toss, toss. Give it a taste and add more salt, pepper or lime juice, if needed.
You can either eat this right away or cover it, place it in the fridge and let it marinate. Marinating it will allow the flavors to meld.
If you are making this for a party, keep it in the big bowl. But if you’re meal prepping, transfer the salad to individual containers and place in the fridge.
This salad is veggie-packed, light and delicious!
Tips & Tricks
The dressing for this recipe is meant to be light. If you want a stronger flavor, you can double the recipe.
Marinating the salad will allow the flavors to meld together more – definitely recommend letting this marinate!
You can switch up the veggies depending on what you have on hand.
Need more recipe inspo? Check these out:
Summer Veggie Orzo Salad
Ingredients
FOR THE SALAD
FOR THE DRESSING
- 1/2 cup avocado oil
- 1 lime juiced
- 2-4 tablespoons apple cider vinegar to taste
- 1 tablespoon agave or sub maple syrup
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 chipotle pepper in adobo chopped
- salt & pepper to taste
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the orzo and cook according to the package instructions. Drain, rinse with cold water and set aside.
- While the orzo is cooking, chop all of the veggies.
- Add all of the dressing ingredients to a bowl and whisk to combine – start with less vinegar and add more to taste. Set aside.
- To assemble, add the orzo, chickpeas, veggies and dressing to a large bowl. Toss to combine.
- Serve immediately or cover and place in the fridge until ready to serve.
Video
Notes
- The dressing for this recipe is meant to be light. If you want a stronger flavor, you can double the recipe.
- Marinating the salad will allow the flavors to meld together more – definitely recommend letting this marinate!
- You can switch up the veggies depending on what you have on hand.
This was sooo good! I love a tasty summer salad that doesn’t have the traditional salad greens and this was very satisfying!
Thanks Chelsea! So glad you liked it!
Another amazing recipe! You are a star!! This feels so light and fresh. My family loved it. Perfect for a hot day. Thank you!
Thanks Tracy! So glad it was a hit with the whole fam!
Made this tonight, Left out cilantro by accident and added some left over blanched broccoli. Really enjoyed it.
Will make this again!
Making this right now and haven’t added the zucchini(don’t have any) nor have I made the dressing yet but it already tastes delicious.
Thanks so much John!
Hello! This looks really amazing. I wan’t to try it as soon as possible. 😀
Tell me, if I don’t have chipotle pepper in adobo can I replace it?
Thank you,
Rita
You could sub chipotle powder!