My mother shared this unique salad with me many, many years ago. I have made it often over the years and still enjoy this Nicoise Orzo Salad as much now as when my mother first shared the recipe with me.

The nice thing about this salad is that the salad ingredients can be made ahead of time, mixed with the dressing and chilled before serving later in the day. The salad only takes about 30 minutes to prepare and then some additional time to chill. Next time you are looking for a entrée salad try this delicious Nicoise Orzo Salad

Nicoise Orzo Salad
Ingredients
1 cup orzo, cooked
½ pound green beans, cooked al dente and cut diagonally
1 6oz jar of marinated artichoke hearts, drained and quartered
1 can tuna, drained and flaked
1 red or yellow pepper, chopped
½ cup chopped red onion
1 ½ tsp. Thyme
1/3 cup Kalmata olives, seeded and halved
2 cups arugula
Directions
Combine all salad ingredients; mix with the dressing and chill, toss well before serving.

Salad Dressing
Ingredients
2 Tbsp. red wine vinegar
1 Tbsp. lemon juice
4 anchovies
1 Tbsp. Dijon mustard
1 garlic clove
¼ cup olive oil
Directions
Process all dressing ingredients except the olive oil. Add the olive oil slowly until the dressing is emulsified.

I love a salad that goes together easily, can be made ahead of time and the leftovers can be enjoyed the next day. The addition of the orzo makes this salad a little different from any other salad and it will be a hit when you decide to share it with others!
The next time you have to bring a salad to a friend’s house or to a potluck make this unique salad, you’ll be glad you did. Your friends will thank you.
11 comments on “Summer Salads: Nicoise Orzo Salad”
I’ve made mine with grilled tuna, tastes totally different than canned, much better! I’ll try that…
Nancy,
I agree fresh is always better than canned! Grilled tuna would be awesome!
Thanks for linking up at the #GatheringofFriendsLinkParty 1
Sounds delicious!
Thanks for linking up at the #BloggingGrandmothersLinkParty 39! Shared ♥
Sounds like a delicious luncheon salad or a light dinner salad. During the hot summer months we love to eat a light meal outdoors on our deck. The Nicoise salad certainly fits the bill.
This looks so delicious! I’ve pinned it and plan on making it for sure!!! Blessings, Loni
Thanks for linking up at the #WednesdayAIMLinkParty 40!
As you know, Nancy, I love family recipes! Your Nicoise Orzo Salad looks and sounds delicious. I love your Mom’s twist on the traditional salad. Sharing on the H&S Facebook page. Thank you so much for sharing and for being a part of the Hearth and Soul Link Party. I hope you are having a lovely weekend.
Yummy! Stopping by again, thanks for linking up with us at the #WednesdayAIMLinkParty 40 sharing!
Wonderful salad. Orzo is a great little pasta. I love it with salmon. I hope you continue to share your posts at the new link party Love Your Creativity that is formerly Dishing It & Digging It.The party is at my blog every Sunday…1:00 Pacific time.