Description
Creamy coleslaw orzo salad delivers Mediterranean-inspired comfort with crisp vegetables and tangy dressing. Fresh herbs and crunchy textures make this dish perfect for summer gatherings you’ll want to share with friends.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1.5 cups (360 ml) orzo pasta (uncooked)
- 2 cups (480 ml) coleslaw mix (shredded cabbage & carrots)
- 0.5 cup (120 ml) red bell pepper (finely chopped)
- 0.5 cup (120 ml) green onions (chopped, including green tops)
- 1 clove garlic (minced)
- 0.25 cup (60 ml) olive oil
- 2 tbsps apple cider vinegar (or rice vinegar for a lighter tang)
- 1 tbsp honey or maple syrup (for a touch of sweetness)
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard (adds creaminess & depth)
- 0.5 tsp salt (adjust to taste)
- 0.5 tsp black pepper
- 0.5 tsp celery seed (optional, but adds great flavor!)
- 0.5 cup (120 ml) sliced almonds (toasted, for crunch)
- 0.25 cup (60 ml) fresh parsley or cilantro (chopped, optional)
Instructions
- Pasta Preparation: Boil orzo in salted water until perfectly al dente, about 7-9 minutes. Drain and rinse with cold water to stop cooking and prevent sticking.
- Dressing Creation: Whisk olive oil, vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, garlic, salt, pepper, and celery seed until smooth and fully emulsified. Adjust seasoning to taste.
- Ingredient Fusion: Combine cooled orzo with coleslaw mix, bell peppers, green onions, toasted almonds, and parsley in a large mixing bowl. Pour prepared dressing over the mixture and toss gently to ensure complete coating.
- Flavor Melding: Let the salad rest for 15-30 minutes, allowing ingredients to absorb dressing and develop a cohesive flavor profile.
- Serving Suggestion: Present the orzo coleslaw chilled or at room temperature as a versatile side dish complementing grilled proteins, seafood, or barbecue fare. Enjoy the dynamic texture and bright, zesty flavors.
Notes
- Pasta Perfection: Cook orzo precisely to avoid mushiness, aiming for al dente with a slight bite.
- Dressing Balance: Whisk ingredients thoroughly to create a harmonious emulsion that clings evenly to ingredients.
- Chill for Flavor: Let salad rest 15-30 minutes to allow ingredients to marinate and develop deeper taste profiles.
- Versatile Serving: Adapt the salad for different dietary needs by swapping nuts, using gluten-free pasta, or making vegan by replacing honey with maple syrup.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Snacks
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 2.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 27 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg