Tuesday, June 16, 2026
HomeCookingLemon Orzo

Lemon Orzo


This Lemon Orzo recipe is an straightforward and comforting facet dish made with tender orzo, contemporary lemon, and herbs. It pairs completely with rooster, seafood, or greens for a easy weeknight meal.

bowl of Lemon Orzo

Holly’s Recipe Highlights: Lemon Orzo

  • Taste: This lemon orzo has a contemporary, buttery taste with brilliant citrus and a light-weight herby end. 
  • Why Make It: Cooking the orzo immediately within the broth with lemon peel offers it further taste whereas preserving the recipe easy and straightforward.
  • Serving Ideas: Serve this as a simple facet dish with grilled rooster, grilled salmon, or oven-baked shrimp

Whole Time: 25 Minutes Servings: 4 Cooking Methodology: Stovetop

Ingredient Notes for Lemon Orzo

orzo , parsley , lemon with labels to make Lemon Orzo
  • Lemon: Contemporary lemon delivers one of the best taste from each the zest and the juice. Broad strips of zest infuse the broth with out leaving bitter bits within the completed orzo.
  • Orzo: Orzo is a small, rice-shaped pasta that cooks shortly and absorbs taste properly. Swap it with Ditalini, Acini de Pepe, or one other small pasta.
  • Rooster Broth: Cooking the orzo in broth offers it a savory taste because it cooks. You should use vegetable broth for a vegetarian model or low-sodium broth.
  • Dried Oregano: Dried oregano provides a light-weight Mediterranean-style taste. Italian seasoning can be utilized as an alternative, although it should give the orzo a barely completely different taste.
  • Contemporary Mint or Parsley: Mint provides a contemporary, brilliant end, whereas parsley retains the flavour delicate and basic.
  • Parmesan or Feta (non-obligatory): Parmesan provides a salty, wealthy end with a light-weight creaminess, whereas feta brings a tangy Mediterranean-style taste.
  • Variations: Non-obligatory additions like inexperienced onions, asparagus, peas, or child spinach are a good way so as to add further taste and colour.

Easy methods to Make Lemon Orzo

  1. Simmer lemon zest with the orzo, broth, and oregano.
  2. Prepare dinner the orzo uncovered (full recipe under).
  3. Take away the lemon peel, stir in butter, and let the orzo relaxation.
  4. Add the seasonings and serve.
lemon being squeezed on Lemon Orzo
  • Use a Vegetable Peeler: Use it to take away the lemon zest in vast strips so that they’re straightforward to take out after cooking.
  • Prepare dinner Uncovered: Maintain the pot uncovered so the broth reduces whereas the orzo cooks.
  • Stir Often: Do that because the orzo simmers so it cooks evenly and doesn’t stick.
  • Let the Orzo Relaxation: Let it relaxation for five minutes earlier than serving so the feel turns into tender and saucy.

Storing Leftovers

  • Maintain leftovers in an hermetic container within the fridge for as much as 4 days and within the freezer for as much as 2 months.
  • Thaw in a single day within the fridge and reheat within the microwave or on the stovetop with a splash of broth or water.

Orzo continues to soak up liquid because it sits, so leftovers could also be thicker than when freshly made.

Contemporary Lemon Favorites

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image of Everyday Comfort cookbook by Holly Nilsson of Spend With Pennies plus text

Prep Time 5 minutes

Prepare dinner Time 15 minutes

Resting time 5 minutes

Whole Time 25 minutes

  • Utilizing a vegetable peeler, peel off two massive strips of lemon zest.

  • Deliver orzo, broth, oregano and lemon zest to a boil. Cut back warmth to a simmer and cook dinner 13 to fifteen minutes uncovered or till the orzo is tender.

  • Take away from warmth and take away and discard the lemon peel. Stir in butter and let the orzo relaxation uncovered for five minutes.

  • Juice half of the lemon over the orzo, add mint or parsley and stir. Season with salt and pepper to style.

Non-obligatory additions: Stir in ¼ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese or crumbled feta cheese. Or stir in 2 inexperienced onions, finely sliced
So as to add asparagus:

  1. Soften 1 tablespoon of butter in a skillet over medium-high warmth. 
  2. Add 2 cloves of minced garlic and cook dinner for 1 minute.
  3. Add 8 ounces of chopped asparagus and cook dinner for two to three minutes or till tender-crisp. Switch to a bowl and proceed the remainder of the recipe. Serve over lemon orzo. 

Maintain leftovers in an hermetic container within the fridge for as much as 4 days and within the freezer for as much as 2 months. 

Energy: 168 | Carbohydrates: 31g | Protein: 6g | Fats: 2g | Saturated Fats: 1g | Ldl cholesterol: 4mg | Sodium: 553mg | Potassium: 238mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 44IU | Vitamin C: 25mg | Calcium: 28mg | Iron: 1mg

Diet info supplied is an estimate and can fluctuate primarily based on cooking strategies and types of components used.

Course Appetizer, Dinner, Entree, Lunch, Essential Course, Pasta, Salad, Aspect Dish
Delicacies Greek
Lemon Orzo in a bowl with a title
Lemon Orzo in the pot and plated with a title
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