Costco Mediterranean Orzo Salad Recipe  – Hungarian Chef

Last Updated on December 7, 2023

Are you looking for an easy and delicious salad recipe? If so, then you should try the Costco Mediterranean Orzo Salad. This salad is a great way to get your daily dose of vegetables while enjoying a flavorful meal. 

The combination of orzo pasta, vegetables, and a light and refreshing dressing makes this salad a winner. 

Plus, it’s easy to make and doesn’t require too many ingredients. So, if you’re looking for a healthy salad recipe that is also quick and easy to make, then the Costco Mediterranean Orzo Salad is a great choice.

What is Costco Mediterranean Orzo Salad?

Costco is a membership-based warehouse club that operates on a global scale, known for offering a wide range of products at discounted prices to its members. Its one of the favourite items is Costco Mediterranean Orzo Salad. 

It is a delicious and healthy salad recipe that is perfect for lunch or dinner. The salad combines orzo pasta with fresh vegetables, such as tomatoes, cucumbers, bell peppers, and red onion, and is topped with a light and refreshing dressing. 

This salad is a great way to get your daily dose of vegetables and is an excellent source of vitamins and minerals. Plus, it’s easy to make and doesn’t require too many ingredients, making it a great choice for busy weeknights.

Why You’ll Love This Costco Mediterranean Orzo Salad Recipe?

This Costco Mediterranean Orzo Salad is a great choice for any meal. It is loaded with fresh vegetables, such as tomatoes, cucumbers, bell peppers, and red onion, and is topped with a light and refreshing dressing. 

This salad is an excellent source of vitamins and minerals, making it a great choice for a healthy lunch or dinner. Plus, it’s easy to make and doesn’t require too many ingredients, making it perfect for busy weeknights.

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The Ingredients

The ingredients for this Costco Mediterranean Orzo Salad are simple and easy to find. Here are the ingredients you will need:

1. Uncooked Organic Whole Wheat Orzo Pasta: Orzo pasta serves as the base of the salad, providing a hearty and substantial element. Its small, rice-shaped form absorbs flavors well and adds a pleasing texture to the dish.

2. Farm-Fresh Baby Spinach Leaves: These vibrant and nutritious spinach leaves contribute freshness, color, and essential nutrients to the salad. They add a mild, earthy flavor and a pleasant crunch.

3. Briny Kalamata Olives, Pitted and Halved: Kalamata olives infuse the salad with a distinct briny and tangy flavor, adding depth and a unique Mediterranean touch. They also contribute a contrasting texture.

4. Crumbled Tangy Bulgarian Feta Cheese: Feta cheese brings a creamy, tangy, and slightly salty taste to the salad. Its crumbled form allows it to be evenly distributed throughout, enhancing each bite with its distinctive flavor.

5. Finely Diced Spicy Calabrese Salami: The spicy Calabrese salami offers a savory, slightly spicy kick to the salad. Its finely diced form ensures that its flavor is evenly dispersed throughout the dish.

6. Plump and Ripe Cherry Tomatoes: Cherry tomatoes provide bursts of sweetness and acidity, balancing the savory and tangy flavors in the salad. They also offer a juicy texture and vibrant color.

7. Oil-Packed Sun-Dried Tomatoes: These sun-dried tomatoes intensify the salad’s flavor profile with their concentrated sweetness and rich, umami taste. They add depth and a chewy texture.

8. Zesty Homemade Mediterranean Herb-Infused Vinaigrette (Double the Amount): The vinaigrette ties all the ingredients together, imparting a tangy, herbaceous, and zesty flavor to the salad. Its Mediterranean herbs infuse the dish with a characteristic Mediterranean flair, enhancing the overall taste.

Directions

Making the Costco Mediterranean Orzo Salad is easy and requires minimal effort. Here are the steps you need to follow to make this delicious salad:

STEP 1 – Cook the Orzo:

Follow the instructions on the package to cook the whole wheat orzo pasta until it’s al dente. Once cooked, drain the orzo and rinse it under cold water to stop the cooking process. Allow it to cool completely.

STEP 2 – Prepare the Mediterranean Herb-Infused Vinaigrette:

In a bowl, combine olive oil, red wine vinegar, minced garlic, dried oregano, dried basil, salt, and pepper. Whisk the ingredients together until well combined. Taste and adjust the seasoning if needed.

STEP 3 – Combine the Ingredients: 

In a large mixing bowl, add the cooled orzo pasta.Add farm-fresh baby spinach leaves, halved cherry tomatoes, pitted and halved Kalamata olives, crumbled Bulgarian feta cheese, finely diced spicy Calabrese salami, and oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes.

STEP 4 – Toss the Ingredients:

Gently toss all the ingredients together to ensure an even distribution of flavors and ingredients.

STEP 5 – Dress the Salad:

Drizzle the prepared Mediterranean herb-infused vinaigrette over the salad. Begin with a few tablespoons and adjust the amount according to taste.Toss the salad again, ensuring everything is evenly coated with the dressing.

STEP 6 – Chill and Marinate:

Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a lid and refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes. This allows the flavors to meld together.

STEP 7 – Final Touch and Serving:

Before serving, give the salad a final toss to mix the flavors. Adjust seasoning if needed and garnish with a few extra crumbles of feta cheese or fresh herbs for added presentation.

STEP 8 – Enjoy!

Serve the Mediterranean Orzo Salad chilled and relish the delightful flavors.

 Notes

Here are a few tips to make sure your Costco Mediterranean Orzo Salad is a success:

– For a creamier dressing, add a bit of plain Greek yogurt.

– For extra flavor, add some feta cheese or Kalamata olives.

– For extra crunch, add some toasted pine nuts or walnuts.

– To make the salad a bit heartier, add some grilled chicken or shrimp.

– If you want to make the salad ahead of time, make sure to store the dressing separately from the salad.

– You can also substitute other vegetables, such as zucchini or artichokes, if you don’t have the above vegetables on hand.

Storage Tips

The Costco Mediterranean Orzo Salad can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Make sure to store the dressing separately from the salad.

Nutrition Information

This Costco Mediterranean Orzo Salad is a great choice for a healthy lunch or dinner. One serving of this salad is approximately 275 calories, with 14 grams of fat, 28 grams of carbohydrates, and 8 grams of protein.

Serving Suggestions

Here are a few serving suggestions to make your Costco Mediterranean Orzo Salad even more delicious:

– Serve with grilled chicken or shrimp: For a heartier salad, serve the salad with some grilled chicken or shrimp.

– Serve with feta cheese:Feta cheese adds a nice creaminess and tanginess to the salad.

– Serve with roasted vegetables:Roasted vegetables, such as bell peppers and zucchini, are a great addition to this salad.

– Serve with hummus: Hummus adds a nice creaminess to the salad and makes it a more filling meal.

– Serve with toasted pine nuts:Toasted pine nuts add a nice nutty flavor and crunch to the salad.

What other substitute can I use in costco Mediterranean orzo salad recipe?

If you don’t have the ingredients listed above, there are a few substitutes you can use to make this salad:

– Pasta: You can use any type of small pasta, such as macaroni or farfalle, in place of the orzo.

– Tomatoes: You can use canned diced tomatoes or even sun-dried tomatoes in place of fresh tomatoes.

– Cucumbers:You can use sliced cucumbers or cucumber slices in place of diced cucumbers.

– Bell peppers:You can use any type of bell pepper in place of the red bell pepper.

– Red onion: You can use white or yellow onion in place of the red onion.

– Olive oil: You can use any type of oil, such as canola oil or avocado oil, in place of the olive oil.

– Lemon juice: You can use lime or orange juice in place of the lemon juice.

 Frequently Asked Questions

1. What kind of pasta is best for the Costco Mediterranean Orzo Salad?

Orzo pasta is best for this salad, but you can also use any type of small pasta, such as macaroni or farfalle.

2. How long does the Costco Mediterranean Orzo Salad last in the refrigerator?

The Costco Mediterranean Orzo Salad can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

3. Can I use canned vegetables in the salad?

Yes, you can use canned diced tomatoes or even sun-dried tomatoes in place of fresh tomatoes.

4. Can I use any type of bell pepper in the salad?

Yes, you can use any type of bell pepper in place of the red bell pepper.

5. Can I use white or yellow onion in the salad?

Yes, you can use white or yellow onion in place of the red onion.

6. Can I use any type of oil in the dressing?

Yes, you can use any type of oil, such as canola oil or avocado oil, in place of the olive oil.

7. Can I use other juices in the dressing?

Yes, you can use lime or orange juice in place of the lemon juice.

Conclusion

The Costco Mediterranean Orzo Salad is a delicious and healthy salad recipe that is perfect for lunch or dinner. The combination of orzo pasta, fresh vegetables, and a light and refreshing dressing make this salad a winner. 

Plus, it’s easy to make and doesn’t require too many ingredients, making it perfect for busy weeknights. So, if you’re looking for a healthy and tasty salad recipe, then the Costco Mediterranean Orzo Salad is a great choice.

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