This Shrimp and Feta Orzo Salad is a quick and easy dinner that involves minimal ingredients, but is packed full of flavor!
(This recipe for Shrimp and Feta Orzo Salad was originally published in July 2010, but was updated with new photos and content in 2020).
I don't really diet, but if I had to choose a diet to go on, it would most definitely be the Mediterranean diet. With the Mediterranean diet, I would barely have to give up anything I love (aside from some processed foods that I just can't quit) and I think it would be quite the sustainable lifestyle for me.
Fresh veggies, seafood, olives, and whole grains? Yes, please. Plus? The fact that dairy is also approved and eggs are OK make it my ideal diet. Oh and wine is also just fine in moderation. Hello, heaven.
Way back in 2010, my dad told me that shrimp and feta was one of his favorite food combinations and thus, this recipe was born. It has a nice Mediterranean feel to it and it's fairly light and healthy. But with feta cheese. Obviously.
OK, but my favorite thing about this shrimp and feta orzo salad? It's incredibly easy to make and will ensure you have dinner on the table in no time at all.
Shrimp and Feta Orzo Salad Recipe
I always think shrimp can help fancy up a dinner. But the funny thing about that is that it's SO easy to cook. Yes, it's ridiculously easy, but it's also probably the hardest part of this recipe. Unless you count chopping the tomatoes.
Step one of this easy dinner recipe is to cook the orzo according to the package directions. While the orzo is cooking, you'll complete the rest of the dish.
Add olive oil to a large skillet and then add in the minced garlic. Cook for about 1 minute, until fragrant and then add your shrimp in, along with thyme, salt, and pepper. Cook shrimp for about 2 minutes, until it starts turning pink. Then flip it and cook it for another minutes until opaque.
Then add the tomatoes to the skillet and cook until heated through, about 30 seconds.
You can serve this in a big bowl if you want, but I like plating it in little individual bowls. I add in the orzo and then top with shrimp and tomatoes and feta cheese and then top with chopped parsley and lemon juice.
And that is literally ALL YOU DO. I told you, easiest thing ever. But still, quite impressive, right? Especially for a quick weeknight dinner.
I know that this feels more like a summery dish. In fact, I've made it many times in the summer and it's nice and light and perfect for a hot evening.
But the shrimp and feta combo can really be enjoyed any time of year. As long as you can get shrimp (I often buy frozen shrimp so it's always ready to go in my freezer!) and fresh tomatoes, you are good to go.
I love this meal when I want to get a delicious dinner on the table, but want something on the light side that's still packed with flavor. Also, when I want to make something easy. Which is pretty much every weeknight.
Shrimp and feta really is the most dreamy food combination, isn't it? OK fine, the feta doesn't hurt. Neither does the glass of wine I enjoyed on the side.
Hello, I think I'm now on the Mediterranean diet? I'll just have this for dinner every night. With some olives for an appetizer. Is baklava allowed for dessert??
And wine. Pour me some more wine.
Do you love the shrimp and feta combination?
If you're looking for more delicious shrimp recipes, check out my Shrimp Scampi Pizza and my Tequila Jalapeño Shrimp. I also can't wait to make this Shrimp Alfredo from All Too Yummy!
Shrimp and Feta Orzo Salad
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups orzo
- 2 Tbsp olive oil
- 2 tsp minced garlic (about 2 cloves)
- 1 lb. extra-large shrimp, shelled and deveined
- ½ tsp dried thyme
- ¼ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp pepper
- 3 medium tomatoes, chopped (about 3 cups)
- 3 oz. crumbed feta cheese
- 2 tsp finely chopped parsley
- 3 Tbsp Freshly squeezed lemon juice
Instructions
- Cook orzo in lightly salted boiling water according to package directions. When al dente, drain orzo through a fine mesh strainer.
- Pour olive oil into a large skillet placed over medium heat. Add garlic and cook for about 1 minutes, until fragrant. Add shrimp to the pan in an even layer and season with thyme, salt, and pepper. When shrimp start turning pink (about 2 minutes), flip and cook for another minute or so on the other side, until opaque.
- Add tomatoes to the skillet and cook until heated through, about 30 seconds.
- In a large serving bowl or in small individual bowls, toss together orzo, shrimp and tomatoes, and feta cheese. Top with chopped parsley. Drizzle lemon juice over the top and top with more salt and pepper, if desired.
Very nice work on the bowl. Shrimp is pretty easy to make, but its also somewhat easy to overcook it. I love all of the fresh summer tomatoes in this dish. I like making Josh popcorn shrimp!
I've been inspired by all of the great feta dishes you've been making and bought a container this week - with shrimp in the freezer, I might have to make this tonight!
So I know this is probably unheard of, but I loathe tomatoes, I really do. I try, but I can't do it. This recipe looks super easy and super delicious, but I'd love to try it with something other than tomatoes? Any ideas?
I'm loving all the feta posts! I love shrimp anyway you can make it! But I really love the bleu cheese stuffed ones I do that are flash fried.
I love shrimp cooked ANY way. This dish looks wonderful.
Yum, simple and delicious 🙂
that looks INCREDIBLE. can't wait to make at home 🙂
This looks yumbo. My favorite way to prepare shrimp is grilled with lemon butter, oh hey, so good.
this is a great twist on typical feta salads! i love the idea of pairing shrimp and feta together. love in a bowl <3
Wow...that is beautiful!! I used to HATE shrimp because it made me sick when I was little. In recent years though I've been coming around to it and I'm so glad I decided to try it again. It's delish!
Shrimp and feta make a great combination. Shrimp, feta, tomatoes and orzo send it over the top. Awesome dish!
@Kimz Hi! Hmmm do you even hate tomatoes that aren't fresh? Like canned stewed tomatoes? Because that could work. Or even just tomato sauce? Otherwise, I might simply do some zucchini and squash... Or even eggplant!
Sues
About the tomatoes. There is a huge difference in flavor between something that comes from the grocery store (especially out of season) and something fresh off the vine.
I have 2 favorite shrimp dishes. A shrimp carbonara... can't miss with bacon. And steamed shrimp dipped in lemon butter. Larrupin!
Mmm, this sounds so easy and delicious! I love the feta and shrimp combo too.
This sounds delicious! And yes, anything with shrimp (or any seafood for that matter) make looks super fancy in my book. I'm also afraid of making all of the above for the same reason although I know it's silly. This is so easy though I'm going to force myself to try!
AC?! So lucky!! This looks delicious!
Looks delicious!! I'm going to make it tonight!
You're so right about shrimp, no matter how you do it up, it's always impressive. Chicken tacos, okay. But shrimp tacos, woah!
That dish looks amazing.
Tried this last night (and for lunch today) and it was delicious! Thanks!
I don't like tomatoes either. How about leaving them out and maybe adding some marinated artichoke hearts, chopped, along with some of the marinade?