This flavorful gluten free orzo salad is a delicious pasta salad with Jovial Foods cassava orzo, cucumbers, tomatoes, red onions, feta cheese, black olives, and an easy homemade Mediterranean dressing. The perfect side dish for every occasion! 

an overhead shot of a gluten free orzo pasta salad in a white dish with a wooden spoon.

What is Orzo?

Orzo is an Italian pasta that resembles rice or barley grains in shape and size but is typically made from durum wheat semolina flour, the same ingredient used to make traditional wheat pasta. Despite its rice-like appearance, orzo is not a grain of rice but a type of pasta.

Orzo is commonly used in Mediterranean cuisines, is versatile, and can be used in various dishes, including soups, salads, pilafs, and casseroles! Its small size and shape allow it to absorb flavors and blend well with other ingredients. It has a slightly chewy texture when cooked al dente and a mild, nutty flavor.

However, it’s not gluten-free! But my favorite gluten-free pasta brand, Jovial Foods, came out with a grain-free, gluten free orzo, and I jumped at the chance to try this amazing alternative! 

What Makes This Recipe Great

I love yummy, fresh, cold pasta salads (as evidenced by this Healthy Tuna Pasta Salad, this Buffalo sauce version, or this amazing Pesto one). But lately, I’ve been itching to make a Greek pasta salad! 

So, when Jovial Foods launched their new grain-free pasta line (made with cassava flour), I knew I had to make this using their gluten free orzo! These tiny rice-like noodles are so delicious paired with tomatoes, red onion, black olives, cucumbers, feta, and a homemade Greek dressing. 

My Greek-Inspired Gluten Free Orzo Salad is fresh, flavorful, and perfect as a side dish or a main dish (just add chicken, shrimp, or tuna!). The orzo tastes just like the classic version but is free from gluten, grains, the top 8 allergens, legumes, gums, and lectins! Such a game-changer for those of us who do better without all those things!

To keep this paleo and dairy free, simply omit the feta cheese and enjoy this delicious salad!

Ingredient Notes

recipe ingredients in small bowls and labeled.
  • Jovial Foods gluten free orzo pasta: They make my favorite gluten-free alternatives. It’s my go-to brand because the taste and texture are so similar to traditional versions. Plus, they are certified gluten-free, which means there’s no risk of cross-contamination in the manufacturing process.   
  • cucumber
  • cherry tomatoes
  • diced red onion
  • black olives
  • feta cheese: Omit for dairy-free and paleo. 

Homemade Mediterranean Dressing

  • olive oil
  • red wine vinegar
  • dijon mustard
  • lemon juice
  • minced garlic
  • oregano
  • salt

Step-by-Step Instructions

numbered step by step photos showing how to make the dressing
  1. ​​Bring water to a boil and cook the orzo according to package directions. Drain and rinse under cold water.
  2. Meanwhile, chop your veggies. Combine all of the Mediterranean dressing ingredients and whisk well. 
  3. Combine the cooked pasta, veggies, dressing, dill, and feta, and mix well. Serve immediately, or chill and serve when you’re ready! Enjoy!
an overhead shot of the ingredients in gluten free orzo salad in a white bowl

Expert Tips

  • For that perfect al dente bite, follow the box instructions and be sure not to overcook. 
  • Feel free to add any additional vegetables or greens, like an arugula salad mix, chickpeas, etc. 
  • For a low-carb salad, you could swap the pasta for cauliflower rice if desired. 
  • If you are not gluten-free, feel free to use traditional orzo. 

Serving Tips

  • I served this with my Garlic Butter Dill Shrimp, and it was one of the best dinners I’ve had in a LONG time! 
  • Highly recommend serving it with chicken, shrimp, or any other protein! 
  • You can also serve it on its own as a lovely vegetarian meal or side dish.

Storage Tips

  • The homemade Mediterranean dressing can be made beforehand, and you can toss it all together when you’re ready to serve. 
  • This pasta salad also holds up really well in the fridge! Sometimes gluten-free pasta can get hard when it sits in the fridge, but not this orzo. We enjoyed it for 3 days after I made it!
  • Leftover pasta salad will stay good in the fridge for up to 4 days. Store in an airtight container. 
an up close photo of a greek pasta salad with a wooden spoon scooping some out.

Recipe FAQs

What is a gluten-free substitute for orzo?

If you don’t have gluten free orzo on hand, you can use quinoa or rice. Both quinoa and rice can be cooked to a similar texture as orzo and can be used as a replacement in various dishes. Brown rice or arborio rice (typically used in risotto) would give a similar texture to the orzo. 

a small bowl filled with gluten free orzo and salad ingredients with a fork resting on the side.

More Greek-Inspired Recipes

Sheet Pan Greek Salmon & Veggies

10-Minute Greek Cucumber Salad

Paleo Greek Chicken Bowls

Greek Burgers with Tzatziki Sauce

Love this recipe? Please leave a 5-star 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 rating in the recipe card below & a review in the comments section. Or, follow me on Facebook, Pinterest or Instagram today!

gluten free orzo Greek salad in a bowl with a wooden spoon
Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Gluten Free Orzo Salad with Mediterranean Dressing

Yield: 6 people
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 14 minutes
Total Time: 24 minutes
This flavorful gluten free orzo salad is a delicious pasta salad with Jovial Foods cassava orzo, cucumbers, tomatoes, red onions, feta cheese, black olives, and an easy homemade Mediterranean dressing. The perfect side dish for every occasion! 
5 from 9 votes
Leave a Review »

Ingredients

  • 2 boxes Jovial Foods Grain Free Orzo Pasta
  • 1 large cucumber, diced
  • 1 cup grape tomatoes, halved
  • ½ cup sliced olives
  • ½ cup diced red onion
  • ½ cup feta, omit for dairy free
  • ¼ cup chopped fresh dill

Mediterranean Dressing

  • ¼ cup red wine vinegar
  • â…“ cup olive oil
  • 1 tsp dijon mustard
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • ½ lemon, juiced
  • 2 cloves minced garlic
  • ¼ tsp sea salt

Instructions
 

  • Cook the orzo according to package directions. Drain and rinse under cold water.
  • Meanwhile, chop your veggies. Combine all of the dressing ingredients and whisk well.
  • Combine the cooked pasta, veggies, dressing, dill, and feta and mix well. Serve immediately, or chill and serve when you're ready! Enjoy!

Notes

Expert Tips

  • For that perfect al dente bite, follow the box instructions and be sure not to overcook. 
  • Feel free to add any additional vegetables or greens, like an arugula salad mix, chickpeas, etc. 
  • For a low-carb salad, you could swap the pasta for cauliflower rice if desired. 
  • If you are not gluten-free, feel free to use traditional orzo. 

Serving Tips

  • I served this with my Garlic Butter Dill Shrimp, and it was one of the best dinners I’ve had in a LONG time! 
  • Highly recommend serving it with chicken, shrimp, or any other protein! 
  • You can also serve it on its own as a lovely vegetarian meal or side dish.

Storage Tips

  • The homemade Mediterranean dressing can be made beforehand, and you can toss it all together when you’re ready to serve. 
  • This pasta salad also holds up really well in the fridge! Sometimes gluten-free pasta can get hard when it sits in the fridge, but not this orzo. We enjoyed it for 3 days after I made it!
  • Leftover pasta salad will stay good in the fridge for up to 4 days. Store in an airtight container. 

Nutrition

Calories: 697kcal, Carbohydrates: 115g, Protein: 16g, Fat: 21g, Saturated Fat: 5g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g, Monounsaturated Fat: 11g, Cholesterol: 11mg, Sodium: 509mg, Potassium: 195mg, Fiber: 4g, Sugar: 3g, Vitamin A: 497IU, Vitamin C: 13mg, Calcium: 94mg, Iron: 3mg
Course: Dinner, Lunch
Cuisine: American, Greek
Calories: 697
Author: Mary Smith

This post was updated with new photos and copy on June 26, 2023.