Costco Mediterranean Orzo Salad Recipe
Costco’s food court is one of the most popular destinations for shoppers looking to satisfy their cravings without breaking the bank. And one of the items that always gets attention is their Mediterranean Orzo Salad.
If you’re looking for a quick and easy way to get the same delicious flavors at home, this recipe is just what you need. This version of Costco’s Mediterranean Orzo Salad is incredibly easy to make with simple ingredients that can usually be found in any pantry.
Just follow the steps and you’ll be enjoying your own homemade Mediterranean Orzo Salad in no time. You won’t have to worry about waiting in line or dealing with crowds, just delicious flavors that you can enjoy at home!
What is Costco’s Mediterranean Orzo Salad?
Costco’s Mediterranean Orzo Salad is a delicious cold salad that is popular among shoppers. It combines uncooked orzo pasta, prewashed baby spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, red onion, Kalamata olives, and artichoke hearts with tangy feta cheese for a flavor combination that can’t be beaten.
The addition of olive oil gives the salad a nice sheen and additional flavor. This recipe is an easy way to get the delicious flavors of Costco’s Mediterranean Orzo Salad in your own kitchen without having to leave the house.
Why You’ll Love this Costco’s Mediterranean Orzo Salad?
This Costco’s Mediterranean Orzo Salad is a great way to enjoy restaurant-quality flavors from the comfort of your own kitchen. The dish combines orzo pasta, spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, red onion, Kalamata olives, and artichoke hearts for a hearty mix that will satisfy even the pickiest eaters.
The addition of feta cheese and olive oil gives the salad a nice sheen and adds an extra layer of flavor. The dish is quick to make and can easily be scaled up or down depending on your needs.
Whether you’re serving it as part of a larger meal or just as a side dish, this Mediterranean Orzo Salad is sure to be a hit! Don’t forget to season the salad with a pinch of salt and pepper before serving. This will add a bit more flavor that will take your dish from ordinary to extraordinary.
Ingredients
- Uncooked orzo: This is the main ingredient of this salad that gives it a unique texture and flavor.
- Prewashed baby spinach: This adds a bit of crunch and nutrition to an otherwise simple dish.
- Oil-packed sun-dried tomato halves, chopped and drained: Adds a sweet and tangy flavor to the salad.
- Red onion, chopped: Adds a little bit of crunch and flavor to the dish.
- Kalamata olives, pitted and chopped: Gives the salad an extra zing of briny flavor.
- Freshly ground black pepper: This adds a bit of spice to the dish.
- Salt: Used for seasoning.
- Marinated artichoke hearts, undrained: These add a creamy texture and flavor that complements the other ingredients.
- Feta cheese: The salty cheesiness of feta cheese adds a nice balance to the salad.
Directions
Step 1
Cook the Orzo
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
- Add the orzo and stir occasionally until al dente, about 8 minutes for regular orzo and 10 minutes for whole wheat orzo.
- Drain in a colander and rinse with cold water.
Step 2
Prepare the Salad
- In a large bowl, combine the cooked orzo, spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, red onion and Kalamata olives.
- Add the artichoke hearts with their marinating liquid and stir until combined.
- Season to taste with black pepper and salt.
- Gently fold in the feta cheese.
Step 3
Serve the Salad
- Serve the salad at room temperature or chilled.
Notes
- You can also add other fresh herbs like parsley or basil for extra flavor.
- If you’re feeling adventurous, try adding diced cucumber and red bell pepper to the salad for some crunch and a pop of color.
- Serve this salad with grilled chicken, fish, steak, or your favorite protein for a complete meal.
- For a vegan version, omit the feta cheese and use a vegan alternative.
- You can also add cooked chickpeas to make this salad more filling.
Storage Tips
Here are a few tips on how to store this salad:
- Store the prepared salad in an airtight container for up to 3 days in the refrigerator.
- The salad can also be frozen for up to 2 months. To do this, place it in a sealed freezer bag and remove as much air as possible before sealing it closed.
- To thaw the frozen salad, place it in the fridge overnight.
- If you’d like to serve this chilled, add a few ice cubes or chill it in the refrigerator for an hour before serving.
- Reheat leftovers on the stovetop or microwave when ready to serve.
Nutrition Information
Serving Suggestions
Here are a few serving suggestions to enjoy your Mediterranean Orzo Salad:
- Serve it as part of a larger meal with grilled chicken, fish, steak, or your favorite protein.
- Add cooked chickpeas for more bulk and added protein.
- Top with a poached egg or diced avocado for extra flavor.
- Try adding roasted vegetables like bell peppers or zucchini for extra flavor and texture.
- Serve it as a side dish with tacos, burritos, or burgers.
- Use it as a topping for salads instead of croutons.
- Use as the base layer for your favorite casseroles and bake dishes.
- Enjoy cold on its own as an easy lunch or light dinner.
- Try adding roasted garlic, toasted nuts, or olives for a savory twist.
- Add some fresh herbs like basil, parsley, or mint for an extra burst of flavor.
- Serve with crusty bread and hummus for a satisfying appetizer.
- Mix in cooked quinoa for a heartier version.
- Try adding pickled vegetables like jalapeños, roasted red peppers, or sweet onions for added flavor and texture.
What other substitute can I use in Costco’s Mediterranean Orzo Salad?
If you don’t have the exact ingredients listed in this article, there are plenty of substitutes that you can use:
- Use macaroni instead of orzo if needed.
- Use any variety of olives such as black olives, kalamata olives, or green olives.
- Substitute fresh spinach with arugula or kale.
- Use canned artichoke hearts in place of the marinated ones.
- For a dairy-free version, omit the feta cheese and drizzle with extra olive oil instead.
- If you don’t have sun-dried tomatoes, use fresh diced tomatoes instead.
- Try adding crumbled goat cheese for a tangy twist.
- To make the salad more filling, add cooked quinoa or farro.
- Use fresh herbs like basil, parsley, or mint for added flavor and color.
Conclusion
Thank you for reading this article about Costco’s Mediterranean Orzo Salad. This easy dish is a great way to enjoy restaurant-quality flavors from the comfort of your own kitchen without having to leave the house.
With its combination of orzo pasta, spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, red onion, Kalamata olives, artichoke hearts, and feta cheese it’s sure to be a hit with everyone. Plus, it can easily be scaled up or down depending on your needs and substituted with other ingredients if needed.
Serve this salad as part of a larger meal or just as a side dish and enjoy its delicious flavors! Please share this article with friends and family who might enjoy this.
Costco Mediterranean Orzo Salad Recipe
Description
Costco’s food court is one of the most popular destinations for shoppers looking to satisfy their cravings without breaking the bank.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Instructions
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Bring a large pot of salted water to boil, pour in 1 cup of uncooked orzo, and stir occasionally until al dente. This should take about 8 minutes for regular orzo and 10 minutes for whole wheat. Once cooked, drain the orzo in a colander and rinse with cold water.
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In a large bowl, combine the cooked orzo with 2 cups of pre-washed baby spinach, ½ cup of oil-packed sun-dried tomato halves (drained), 3 tablespoons of red onion (chopped), 3 tablespoons of Kalamata olives (pitted and chopped), 1 jar of marinated artichoke hearts (undrained) and a pinch each of salt and pepper. Give the mixture a good stir until everything is evenly combined. Lastly, fold in ¾ cup (3 ounces) of feta cheese into the salad and mix gently.
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Serve at room temperature or chilled.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, it can be made vegan by omitting the feta cheese and substituting it with a vegan alternative. This will make the dish dairy-free and suitable for vegans.
Yes, this recipe is perfectly safe to eat during pregnancy. However, please consult your doctor before consuming any dish when pregnant.
Yes, this recipe is Keto-friendly. The orzo pasta, olive oil, and feta cheese are all low in carbs and will fit within the guidelines of a Keto diet.
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