Vegan Orzo Salad with Creamy Avocado Dressing

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This vegan orzo salad with creamy avocado dressing makes an easy meal! It's perfect for those days when you need something quick and easy that's also hearty and satisfying. It combines orzo pasta with chickpeas and veggies in a simple creamy lemon avocado dressing that gives it a lot of flavor.

A spoon lifting up a serving of vegan orzo salad.

When life gets hectic I am always on the hunt for dishes that are quick to make but also work well to meal prep ahead a bit. That way when I get hungry on busy weeknights or need to eat on the run I can quickly eat without spending tons of time in the kitchen.

It doubles as a main dish orzo salad for the perfect light lunch but a side dish for heartier meals! As a side dish enjoy it with some roasted red pepper and tomato soup, vegan zucchini fritters, or baked tofu.

Love pasta salad? Try my other vegan pasta salad with vegetables, pasta, and a vegan ranch dressing.

What You'll Need to Make Creamy Vegan Orzo

Here's a look at the simple ingredients you need to make this vegan orzo recipe and the creamy avocado dressing to accompany it. They are easy to find at the grocery store. The full list and quantities for this vegan recipe are available in the recipe card further down the page.

Ingredients to make vegan orzo salad on the table before mixing.

Cooked orzo: A small rice-shaped pasta that works perfectly to make a pasta salad with vegetables. Cook ahead of time following the package directions for al dente pasta. You can also use whole wheat orzo if you prefer whole grains.
Cherry tomatoes: Use cherry tomatoes which are slightly sweeter than regular tomatoes. Grape tomatoes also work well.
Cucumber: Any type of cucumber works but I especially like to use an English cucumber or Persian cucumber for salads. They have a slightly crisper texture and fewer seeds than the more commonly available cucumbers.
Vegan feta: A tangy salty cheese that works great in this chopped vegetable and orzo salad. My favorite brand of vegan cheese to use is VioLife. If you can't find vegan feta, vegan parmesan cheese will work well too.
Sliced olives: Use any type of sliced olives you enjoy such as kalamata olives, green olives, or black olives for some added briny flavors and tang in this orzo recipe.
Shallot: This small aromatic adds mild onion flavor to the salad. You can also use diced green onions instead.
Chickpeas: To give this orzo recipe a bit of vegan protein and make it heartier.
Avocado: The base of the simple dressing added to the orzo and vegetables.
Vegan yogurt: Use your favorite plain plant-based yogurt. I like the brands Culina and Cocojune because they are really thick and creamy.
Fresh lemon juice: Adds a bit of acidity to the dressing. Use freshly squeezed lemon juice for the best flavor. For a more intense lemon flavor you can also add a bit of lemon zest.
Dill: Fresh herbs, especially dill, taste quite different from dried so I highly recommend using it! If you decide to use dried you will need about a tablespoon and then add more to reach the desired taste. You can also swap it for fresh basil or parsley.
Olive oil: A healthy oil that balances out the texture and flavor of the dressing.
Garlic: Use freshly chopped garlic for the best flavor.

Substitutions and Variations

Chickpeas: You can swap them for other white beans such as cannellini beans, northern beans, or navy beans.
Change up the pasta: You can replace the orzo pasta with Israeli couscous or another short-cut pasta if you prefer.
Gluten-free: Use your favorite brand of gluten-free orzo or other gluten-free pasta to make this vegan orzo salad.
Sun-dried tomatoes: For a more intense tomato flavor you can use sun-dried tomatoes in place of the cherry tomatoes.
Add some greens. Or serve over the top of greens. Try it with baby spinach, curly kale, or some arugula.

How to Make Vegan Orzo Salad

Here's a quick overview of the main steps to make this creamy orzo salad. Be sure to check the recipe card for all the details.

Combine the cooked orzo, cucumbers, tomatoes, feta, olives, shallot, and chickpeas in a bowl.

Ingredients to make vegan orzo salad in a bowl.

Place all the ingredients to make the dressing in a blender. Blend until everything is smooth.

The dressing for vegan orzo salad mixed up in a blender.

Add the dressing to the salad. Mix it all together and serve it up!

Pouring the dressing over the top of the vegan orzo salad.

Recipe Tips

Store leftover vegan orzo in the fridge in an airtight container for up to two days. If you plan to store this orzo dish longer (up to four days) keep the dressing and salad ingredients separate and mix right before serving. Do not freeze.
Cut the vegetables into similarly sized pieces.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What do you serve with orzo recipes?

This orzo salad recipe makes a tasty main meal or side dish for meals. As a main dish, it goes well with a simple fruit salad or some frozen yogurt bark or granola cups for dessert! As a side dish combine it with a simple soup or sandwich such as vegan lettuce wraps or vegan tortilla wraps.

Is orzo rice the same as risotto?

No, orzo isn't actually rice but rather it's a type of pasta while risotto is actually a specific type of rice called arborio rice.

Vegan orzo salad in a bowl on the table.

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