Zesty Corn Salad with Orzo

Bright, refreshing, and bursting with bold flavors, this Zesty Corn Salad with Orzo is the ultimate summertime side dish or light meal. Featuring tender orzo, sweet corn kernels, juicy cherry tomatoes, crisp cucumber, and aromatic cilantro, every bite is packed with vibrant textures and colors. The zesty lime and honey dressing, accented with a touch of cumin, ties it all together with an irresistible tangy-sweet kick. Ready in just 25 minutes, this easy-to-make recipe is perfect for barbecues, picnics, or quick weeknight dinners. Add a sprinkle of crumbled feta cheese for an extra layer of creamy, salty goodness, and enjoy it cold or at room temperature for maximum versatility. Whether you're serving it as a side or main dish, this corn salad is guaranteed to steal the spotlight!

Nutriscore Rating: 73/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:10 mins

Total Time:25 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 cup orzo pasta
• 1.5 cups fresh or frozen corn kernels
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes
• 1 medium cucumber
• 0.5 medium red onion
• 0.25 cup fresh cilantro
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 3 tablespoons lime juice
• 1 teaspoon honey
• 0.5 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
• 0.25 cup feta cheese (optional, for garnish)

Directions

Step 1

Cook 1 cup of orzo pasta according to the package instructions. Drain, rinse with cold water, and set aside to cool.

Step 2

If using fresh corn, bring a pot of water to a boil and cook the kernels for 2-3 minutes. Drain and let cool. If using frozen corn, thaw and pat dry with a paper towel.

Step 3

Slice 1 cup of cherry tomatoes in half. Dice 1 medium cucumber into small cubes. Finely mince 1/2 medium red onion and roughly chop 1/4 cup of fresh cilantro.

Step 4

In a small bowl, whisk together 3 tablespoons of olive oil, 3 tablespoons of lime juice, 1 teaspoon of honey, 1/2 teaspoon of ground cumin, 1 teaspoon of salt, and 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper to make the dressing.

Step 5

In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled orzo, corn kernels, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, and cilantro. Pour the dressing over the salad and gently toss to coat evenly.

Step 6

Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary. If desired, crumble 1/4 cup of feta cheese over the top for added flavor.

Step 7

Serve immediately or refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld. Enjoy this zesty corn salad cold or at room temperature.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	1127.6 grams (1127.6g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1645

Total Fat 62.90g	81%
Saturated Fat 16.20g	81%
Polyunsaturated Fat 4.10g
Cholesterol 53mg	18%
Sodium 3103mg	135%
Total Carbohydrate 243.10g	88%
Dietary Fiber 23.40g	84%
Total Sugars 42.00g
Protein 47.30g	95%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 436mg	34%
Iron 12mg	65%
Potassium 1753mg	37%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 32.8%

Protein: 11.0%

Carbs: 56.3%