Alexander's Orzo and Wild Rice Salad

Combining vibrant Mediterranean flavors with hearty textures, Alexander's Orzo and Wild Rice Salad is a refreshing and wholesome dish perfect for potlucks or light lunches. This colorful salad features a delightful blend of nutty wild rice and tender orzo pasta, complemented by crisp cucumbers, juicy cherry tomatoes, sweet red bell peppers, and zesty red onion. Tossed in a tangy homemade lemon-Dijon dressing, this salad is further elevated with fresh parsley, crunchy sliced almonds, and optional creamy feta cheese. Ready in under an hour and easy to prepare ahead, this nutrient-packed recipe can be served cold or at room temperature, making it as versatile as it is satisfying. Perfect for fans of healthy rice salads or Mediterranean-inspired side dishes!

Nutriscore Rating: 74/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:45 mins

Total Time:65 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 1 cup Orzo pasta
• 1 cup Wild rice
• 2 cups Vegetable broth
• 1 medium English cucumber
• 1.5 cups Cherry tomatoes
• 1 medium Red bell pepper
• 1 small Red onion
• 0.5 cup Fresh parsley
• 0.5 cup Feta cheese (optional)
• 0.25 cup Sliced almonds
• 3 tablespoons Lemon juice
• 3 tablespoons Olive oil
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 1 teaspoon Honey
• 1 clove Garlic clove, minced
• 0.5 teaspoon Salt
• 0.25 teaspoon Black pepper

Directions

Step 1

Rinse the wild rice under cold water. Combine the wild rice and vegetable broth in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for about 40-45 minutes or until the rice is tender and the broth is absorbed. Fluff with a fork and let cool.

Step 2

While the wild rice cooks, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the orzo and cook according to package instructions (usually about 8-10 minutes) until al dente. Drain, rinse under cold water, and set aside to cool.

Step 3

Dice the cucumber, cherry tomatoes, red bell pepper, and red onion into small, bite-sized pieces. Roughly chop the parsley.

Step 4

In a small bowl or jar, whisk together lemon juice, olive oil, Dijon mustard, honey, minced garlic, salt, and black pepper to create the dressing.

Step 5

In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked and cooled wild rice, orzo, diced vegetables, parsley, sliced almonds, and feta cheese if using.

Step 6

Pour the dressing over the salad and toss gently to combine, ensuring everything is evenly coated.

Step 7

Chill the salad in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld.

Step 8

Serve cold or at room temperature. Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1669.7g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1862.9

Total Fat 93.3g	0%
Saturated Fat 27.0g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 5.4g
Cholesterol 106.8mg	0%
Sodium 3830.2mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 213.9g	0%
Dietary Fiber 31.1g	0%
Total Sugars 37.1g
Protein 63.1g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 926.1mg	0%
Iron 10.7mg	0%
Potassium 3361.3mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 43.1%

Protein: 13.0%

Carbs: 43.9%