Orzo Salad with Cranberries Pecans
Brighten up your table with this vibrant Orzo Salad with Cranberries and Pecans, a perfect marriage of sweet, tangy, and nutty flavors! This easy-to-make recipe pairs delicate orzo pasta with chewy dried cranberries, toasted pecans, and a medley of fresh herbs like parsley and mint. A zesty homemade dressing of lemon juice, olive oil, honey, and Dijon mustard ties it all together, creating a refreshing yet satisfying dish. Whether served as a standalone light meal or as a crowd-pleasing side dish, this salad dazzles with its balance of textures and flavors. It’s ready in just 20 minutes and can even be prepared ahead for added convenience. Ideal for picnics, potlucks, or simply sprucing up weeknight dinners, this recipe is a must-try for any occasion!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1 cup orzo pasta
- 0.5 cup dried cranberries
- 0.5 cup pecans
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley
- 2 tablespoons fresh mint
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon honey
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 0.5 teaspoon salt
- 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup baby spinach (optional)
Instructions
Cook the orzo pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process. Set aside to cool completely.
While the orzo is cooling, toast the pecans in a dry skillet over medium heat for 3-4 minutes, stirring frequently, until fragrant and lightly browned. Remove from heat and let cool, then roughly chop.
Finely chop the fresh parsley and mint. Set aside.
In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, honey, Dijon mustard, salt, and black pepper to create the dressing.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked orzo, dried cranberries, toasted pecans, chopped parsley, and mint. If using baby spinach, roughly chop and add it to the bowl.
Drizzle the dressing over the salad and toss gently to combine, ensuring everything is evenly coated.
Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. You can add more lemon juice or salt to brighten the flavors.
Transfer to a serving dish and enjoy immediately, or refrigerate for up to 2 days for the flavors to meld further. Serve chilled or at room temperature.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
1731 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 83.2 g | 107% | |
| Saturated Fat | 9.7 g | 48% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 14.8 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% | |
| Sodium | 1375 mg | 60% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 223.7 g | 81% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 24.2 g | 86% | |
| Total Sugars | 59.5 g | ||
| Protein | 33.0 g | 66% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 244 mg | 19% | |
| Iron | 14.5 mg | 81% | |
| Potassium | 853 mg | 18% | |
*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.
