Description
This shrimp orzo salad is a light, protein-packed summer dish made with grilled shrimp, tender orzo, crisp veggies, and a tangy balsamic dressing. The shrimp get a quick char on the grill, then go warm over the cold salad. Ready in under 30 minutes and naturally dairy-free.
Ingredients
Scale
- 6 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 3 tbsp balsamic vinegar
- ½ tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tbsp water
- 1 ½ tsp Italian seasoning
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp pepper
- 1 pound shrimp, peeled & deveined
- 1 medium garlic clove, minced
- 1 ¾ cups dry orzo
- 1 English cucumber, chopped
- 1 red bell pepper, chopped
- 1–2 cups fresh arugula
- Fresh parsley, for serving
Instructions
- Step: Pat the shrimp dry. Toss with the minced garlic and half the dressing in a bowl. Marinate in the fridge for 20 minutes, up to 1 hour.
- Step: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the orzo according to package instructions. Drain and let it cool.
- Step: Whisk together the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, Dijon mustard, water, and Italian seasoning until combined. Set aside.
- Step: Chop the cucumber, red bell pepper, and parsley.
- Step: Once the orzo is cool, combine it with the chopped veggies and arugula in a large bowl. Drizzle with the dressing and toss to coat.
- Step: Heat a grill pan or skillet over medium-high. Thread shrimp onto skewers if desired. Cook 2 to 3 minutes per side, until just pink and cooked through.
- Step: Pile the warm shrimp over the cold salad, toss gently, and serve right away. Garnish with parsley.
Notes
Keep the salad chilled until serving, then top with freshly grilled shrimp for the best mix of textures and temperatures. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch & Dinner
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 373 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 305 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 122 mg
Keywords: shrimp, orzo, salad, grilled, dairy-free, summer, high-protein