Berry Orzo Spinach Salad

Packed with flavor, this sweet and savory Berry Orzo Spinach Salad will leave you amazed. Never has a salad been this satisfying!

If you have a salad craving, you’ll definitely want to check out Corn Salad, Thai Chicken Salad, and Strawberry Spinach Salad.

My sister in law brought a similar salad to my house for Sunday dinner one weekend and I loved it so much I had to create my own version. The combination of dark leafy greens, fresh fruit, and cooked pasta or rice is a little unusual but works so well together, especially when you incorporate some fresh avocado, a little cheese, and the most amazing creamy balsamic dressing.

I believe that the key to eating salads is making them as fun as possible. The ingredients in my Berry Orzo Spinach Salad are different than a what you might see in a normal salad and are so delicious to eat! You can have this salad by itself or as a side salad. Try it as a side with my Best Baked Chicken Breasts, or my Garlic Butter Steak and Potatoes Skillet!

Ingredients

• Orzo– Orzo adds a savory bite to this salad. If you don’t have orzo on hand, you can substitute it with wild rice and it would be delicious!
• Baby Spinach and Baby Arugula– Some hearty, leafy greens will make up the base of the salad.
• Blueberries– Fresh blueberries add a sweet and juicy bite.
• Strawberries– Strawberries are my favorite go-to in a salad.
• Avocado– The texture and flavor of avocado really adds to this salad.
• Feta Cheese– I prefer feta cheese but you can also use freshly shredded mozzarella!
• Chopped Walnuts– The walnuts balance the flavors and add a crunch.
• Creamy Balsamic Dressing– Use my Creamy Balsamic Dressing for the perfect salad!

Here’s How You Make It

1. Cook your orzo or rice according to the package directions. In a bowl, toss together the baby spinach, orzo and arugula. Top with the fruit, cheese and nuts. (photos 1-3)
2. Top with Creamy Balsamic Dressing or your favorite balsamic dressing from the store and enjoy! (photo 4)

Why This Recipe Works

Flavor Combination: The combination of flavors is what really makes this salad shine. The berries with the orzo and cheese and avocado all led a savory yet tangy bite. The textures of the ingredients also make this salad a delight to eat.

Easy and Hearty: This salad couldn’t be easier to make. It requires a little bit of prep to make your orzo, cut your produce to your liking, and a little extra time if you are making homemade dressing. Once all of that is done it can be thrown together in no time! Not only is it easy, but it is a hearty salad with lots of nutrients.

So beautiful: I’m not going to lie, when I have a lot of different colors on my plate from beautiful produce it is so much more appealing to eat! This salad is beautiful and full of color. It is a feast for your eyes and your stomach!

Variations for this Recipe

This recipe can be changed and adjusted according to your liking. If you prefer to use different fruits, you can try blackberries, peaches or nectarines. The cheese on top can be feta, freshly grated mozzarella, or you can try parmesan! If you don’t like walnuts, try shaved almonds or pecans. Some fresh herbs on top like mint or basil would be a nice touch. The beauty of this recipe is you can make it your own and perfect it to your liking.

Expert Tips and Tricks

• If you are preparing this ahead of time, prep each part of the salad separately and then mix it together when it is time to eat.
• You can make this recipe gluten free by using rice to replace the orzo!
• Orzo cooks in a similar way to rice and it will soak up the liquid that you cook it in. I like to cook mine in chicken broth for some extra flavor!
• If you plan to store some of this salad for later, make sure you keep the dressing off of it until it is ready to eat. It’ll stay in the fridge for about 2-3 days.

Suggested Recipes

If you like this recipe, try some of my other favorite salad recipes!

• Copycat Olive Garden Salad and Dressing
• Mexican Street Corn Salad
• Best Simple Tossed Green Salad
• Portillos Chopped Salad
• Best Italian Orzo Salad
• Strawberry Poppyseed and Bacon Chopped Salad
• Creamy Balsamic Dressing

Did you make this recipe? FANTASTIC. Please rate the recipe below and be sure to tag me on social when you share a photo on social – I love seeing what you’re up to in the kitchen!