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30-Minute Costco Copycat Orzo Salad

Costco copycat orzo salad in a large serving bowl with feta, salami, olives, and cherry tomatoes
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A fresh and flavorful copycat of Costco’s famous orzo salad packed with calabrese salami, feta, kalamata olives, cherry tomatoes, and spinach, all tossed in a creamy herb vinaigrette. Ready in just 30 minutes and serves 8.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2¼ cups orzo
  • 8 oz calabrese salami, diced into ¼-inch cubes
  • 8 oz feta, crumbled into large chunks
  • 1 cup kalamata olives, pitted
  • 2½ cups cherry tomatoes, halved lengthwise
  • 2½ cups fresh baby spinach
  • ⅔ cup extra virgin olive oil
  • ¼ cup water
  • ¼ cup white wine vinegar
  • 3 tablespoons lemon juice, freshly squeezed
  • 1½ oz feta, whisked into dressing for creaminess (separate from salad feta)
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 2½ teaspoons dried oregano
  • 2½ teaspoons dried basil
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of well-salted water to a boil. Add orzo and cook until al dente, about 9 to 11 minutes. Drain thoroughly and rinse with cool water to stop cooking and remove excess starch. Transfer cooled orzo to a large mixing bowl.
  2. While orzo cooks, dice salami into ¼-inch cubes, halve cherry tomatoes lengthwise, crumble 8 oz feta into large chunks, and mince garlic cloves.
  3. In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, water, white wine vinegar, lemon juice, minced garlic, oregano, basil, salt, sugar, and smoked paprika. Add 1½ oz feta and whisk vigorously until it partially breaks down into a creamy emulsion. Taste and adjust seasoning.
  4. Add salami, crumbled feta chunks, kalamata olives, cherry tomatoes, and spinach to the orzo bowl. Pour three-quarters of the dressing over the salad and toss gently until well coated. Reserve remaining dressing for serving.
  5. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or up to 24 hours, to allow flavors to meld.
  6. Before serving, stir gently, drizzle reserved dressing over the top, and toss lightly to refresh. Serve cold.

Notes

  • Reserve one-quarter of the dressing to add just before serving so the salad stays flavorful and does not dry out during storage.
  • The 1½ oz feta blended into the dressing is separate from the 8 oz feta crumbled into the salad.
  • Always rinse the orzo with cool water after draining to stop cooking and prevent clumping.
  • Cook orzo al dente as it continues to absorb dressing while it rests in the refrigerator.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://www.benefitiany.com/costco-copycat-orzo-salad/