Zesty Corn Salad with Orzo
Bright, refreshing, and bursting with bold flavors, this Zesty Corn Salad with Orzo is the ultimate summertime side dish or light meal. Featuring tender orzo, sweet corn kernels, juicy cherry tomatoes, crisp cucumber, and aromatic cilantro, every bite is packed with vibrant textures and colors. The zesty lime and honey dressing, accented with a touch of cumin, ties it all together with an irresistible tangy-sweet kick. Ready in just 25 minutes, this easy-to-make recipe is perfect for barbecues, picnics, or quick weeknight dinners. Add a sprinkle of crumbled feta cheese for an extra layer of creamy, salty goodness, and enjoy it cold or at room temperature for maximum versatility. Whether you're serving it as a side or main dish, this corn salad is guaranteed to steal the spotlight!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1 cup orzo pasta
- 1.5 cups fresh or frozen corn kernels
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes
- 1 medium cucumber
- 0.5 medium red onion
- 0.25 cup fresh cilantro
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 tablespoons lime juice
- 1 teaspoon honey
- 0.5 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
- 0.25 cup feta cheese (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
Cook 1 cup of orzo pasta according to the package instructions. Drain, rinse with cold water, and set aside to cool.
If using fresh corn, bring a pot of water to a boil and cook the kernels for 2-3 minutes. Drain and let cool. If using frozen corn, thaw and pat dry with a paper towel.
Slice 1 cup of cherry tomatoes in half. Dice 1 medium cucumber into small cubes. Finely mince 1/2 medium red onion and roughly chop 1/4 cup of fresh cilantro.
In a small bowl, whisk together 3 tablespoons of olive oil, 3 tablespoons of lime juice, 1 teaspoon of honey, 1/2 teaspoon of ground cumin, 1 teaspoon of salt, and 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper to make the dressing.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled orzo, corn kernels, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, and cilantro. Pour the dressing over the salad and gently toss to coat evenly.
Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary. If desired, crumble 1/4 cup of feta cheese over the top for added flavor.
Serve immediately or refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld. Enjoy this zesty corn salad cold or at room temperature.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
1645 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 62.9 g | 81% | |
| Saturated Fat | 16.2 g | 81% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 4.1 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 53 mg | 18% | |
| Sodium | 3103 mg | 135% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 243.1 g | 88% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 23.4 g | 84% | |
| Total Sugars | 42.0 g | ||
| Protein | 47.3 g | 95% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 436 mg | 34% | |
| Iron | 11.7 mg | 65% | |
| Potassium | 1753 mg | 37% | |
*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.
