Light and Refreshing Sesame Orzo Salad
Brighten up your table with this *Light and Refreshing Sesame Orzo Salad*, a vibrant fusion of wholesome ingredients and bold Asian-inspired flavors. Perfectly cooked orzo pasta is tossed with crisp bell peppers, cool cucumbers, crunchy carrots, and fresh cilantro, creating a delightful medley of textures. The star of the show is a tangy sesame-ginger dressing, made with soy sauce, sesame oil, rice vinegar, honey, and aromatic garlic and ginger, tying everything together with a savory and slightly sweet flair. Toasted sesame seeds add the perfect finishing touch for a subtle nuttiness. This quick and easy salad comes together in just 25 minutes and is served chilled or at room temperature, making it a refreshing side dish for summer picnics, potlucks, or a light make-ahead lunch. Bursting with flavor and loaded with fresh veggies, it's a dish you'll keep coming back to!
Log this recipe in SnapCalorie
Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1.5 cups orzo pasta
- 1 medium red bell pepper
- 1 medium cucumber
- 1 large carrot
- 3 green onions
- 0.25 cup fresh cilantro
- 2 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1.5 tablespoons sesame oil
- 1.5 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon honey
- 1 teaspoon ginger, grated
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 0.5 teaspoon salt
- 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
Bring a medium-sized pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the orzo pasta according to package directions until al dente, about 8–10 minutes. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool, then set aside.
While the pasta is cooking, finely dice the red bell pepper, cucumber, and carrot. Thinly slice the green onions and roughly chop the fresh cilantro.
In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, sesame oil, rice vinegar, honey, grated ginger, minced garlic, salt, and pepper to make the dressing.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked orzo, diced vegetables, green onions, cilantro, and toasted sesame seeds.
Pour the dressing over the salad ingredients and toss well to coat evenly.
Refrigerate the salad for at least 20 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
Before serving, give the salad one final toss and taste to adjust seasoning if needed. Serve chilled or at room temperature.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
1490 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 34.2 g | 44% | |
| Saturated Fat | 4.1 g | 20% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 8.9 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% | |
| Sodium | 2394 mg | 104% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 261.0 g | 95% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 25.1 g | 90% | |
| Total Sugars | 22.4 g | ||
| Protein | 47.1 g | 94% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 301 mg | 23% | |
| Iron | 15.5 mg | 86% | |
| Potassium | 1061 mg | 23% | |
*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.
