Keto Greek Orzo Salad

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Keto Greek Orzo Salad is a tasty, light, and refreshing salad. This orzo salad is good to have in the low-carb, & keto diets. Keto-friendly substitutes for traditional orzo are hearts of palm pasta or Shirataki, which are low in carbs while preserving the delicious texture of a traditional pasta salad. This orzo is mixed in spicy homemade Greek vinaigrette, which is prepared with lemon, olive oil, & oregano, and it is full of cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, olives, red onions, & feta cheese. This salad has a Mediterranean flavor with a crisp, chilly finish in every bite. We can have this Greek Orzo salad as a side dish / light lunch. This keto dish is a great way to experience Greek flavors without feeling guilty because it is gluten-free. We can have the Keto Greek Orzo Salad along with the roasted beef, shrimp, or grilled chicken.

Free Keto Meal Plan: STEP-BY-STEP KETO DIET PLAN FOR BEGINNERS

STATS:

  • Prep time: Fifteen mins
  • Cook time: Five mins
  • Serving size: One cup
  • Servings: 4
  • Cuisine: Greek, Mediterranean
  • Calories: 210 kcal
  • Course: Lunch, Side Dish
  • Diet: Keto, Low-Carb, Gluten-Free
  • Total time: Twenty minutes

EQUIPMENT:

  • Strainer
  • Pot
  • Large bowl
  • Whisk
  • Small bowl
  • Spatula
  • Knife
  • Chopping board

INGREDIENTS:

SALAD:

  • 1 bag Shirataki orzo
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes
  • ½ cup cucumber
  • ¼ cup red onion
  • ⅓ cup Kalamata olives
  • ⅓ cup feta cheese
  • 2 tbsp. fresh parsley

DRESSING:

  • 3 tbsp. olive oil
  • One tbsp. red wine vinegar
  • One tsp. lemon juice
  • ½ tsp. dried oregano
  • Salt & pepper

INGREDIENTS NOTES:

SHRITAKI ORZO:

  • Shirataki Orzo is made from konjac yam; this pasta is a low-carb pasta substitute for traditional pasta. It is ideal for keto because it contains particularly low calories and carbs. To enhance texture and get rid of any natural odor, make sure to thoroughly rinse and dry it.

HEARTS OF PALM PASTA:

  • Hearts of Palm Pasta is another great grain-free option that has an orzo-like feel. Palm pasta has a very slight sweet taste and it is also little stiff.

CHERRY TOMATOES:

  • We have to use fresh, ripe cherry tomatoes for sweetness and juiciness that counterbalance the salty feta and olives.

CUCUMBER:

  • We use the cucumber in this orzo salad as it gives the salad a cool crisp and lightness.

KALAMATA OLIVES:

  • Kalamata olives offer Greek cuisine a saline, acidic flavor. We can chop or slice the olives to make them easier to eat.

FETA CHEESE:

  • We have to use a premium block feta for the finest flavor, which adds smoothness and a salty tang. We can also use goat cheese or dairy-free cheese as a substitute for feta cheese.

OLIVE OIL:

  • Olive Oil is used for a rich, delicious dressing base.

RED WINE VINEGAR:

  • Red wine vinegar enhances the Mediterranean taste of the dressing by adding a sharp acidity.

Free Keto Meal Plan: STEP-BY-STEP KETO DIET PLAN FOR BEGINNERS

INSTRUCTION:

  1. We can prepare the pasta substitute as directed on the package and drain and pat dry the pasta properly with a paper towel.
  2. We can grab a big bowl and add the keto pasta, cucumber, cherry tomatoes, red onion, feta, & olives.
  3. We can combine all the ingredients with the spoon.
  4. Take a small bowl add all the dressing ingredients and mix the components with the whisk.
  5. We can add the dressing to the pasta salad bowl and toss the salad properly till it gets properly combined.
  6. Then we can adjust the seasoning and garnish with the parsley.
  7. Serve Keto Greek Orzo Salad warm or cold as preferred.

TIPS:

  • We can let the salad sit for 15 to 30 minutes before serving for optimal flavor.
  • You can include grilled shrimp or chicken for additional protein.
  • We can dry the vegetables using a salad spinner to give vegetables a crispier texture.

STORAGE INFORMATION:

FRIDGE:

  • You would transfer the leftover Greek orzo salad to the airtight box and save the salad for 3 days, but it is good to have the fresh salad.

FREEZER:

  • We should not have to freeze this salad because of fresh vegetables and feta cheese.

FAQs:

Is this Greek orzo salad low in carbs content?

  • Yes, this Greek orzo salad is low in carbs content and it just comprises 6g net carbs and 5g protein is present in one portion of this salad.

How could we prepare the non-dairy Greek orzo salad?

  • This Greek orzo salad is not dairy-free but we can use the dairy-free cheese substitute or omit the cheese and use the vegan Greek yogurt to make the non-dairy Greek orzo salad.

Will we make this Greek orzo salad with the zoodles?

  • Yes, we can make the Greek orzo salad with the zoodles as a substitute for orzo.

Will we store this Greek orzo salad?

  • We would preserve this Greek orzo salad only in the fridge for 3 days but we should not have to preserve this salad in the freezer because of the vegetables and feta cheese.

Free Keto Meal Plan: STEP-BY-STEP KETO DIET PLAN FOR BEGINNERS

NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION:

Calcium: 120mg
Calories: 210 kcal
Fiber: 2g
Net carbs: 6g
Protein: 5g
Fat: 18g
Sodium: 420mg
Potassium: 230mg
Iron: 1.2mg
Total carbs: 8g
Vitamin A: 450 IU