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This smoked salmon orzo salad recipe is simple but feels a little special! You’ll love the bright and zesty creamy lemon and dill dressing, and it’s quick and easy to make.
Try my Salmon Pasta with a Creamy Garlic Sauce or Smoked Salmon Dip next.
Why you’ll love it
I created this smoked salmon pasta salad recipe with lox bagel flavors in mind. That means there’s bright fresh dill, capers, and red onions, all of which are the savory building blocks to an amazing salad! The creamy lemon dill dressing with lemon zest is so vibrant.
Orzo is such a great base for this simple pasta salad, and it’s the perfect dish to enjoy for a summer evening on your patio. It can also be taken along to a BBQ, potluck, or even dinner party. Smoked salmon always felt so fancy in my home growing up in the 90s!
What you’ll need
For the salad
- Orzo – this rice-shaped pasta can be found in the dry pasta aisle
- Cucumber – I prefer mini cucumbers, but 1/2 an English cuke works too
- Red onion – the best variety for eating raw in salads
- Capers – to add an irresistible briny quality
- Smoked salmon – I use thinly sliced smoked sockeye salmon that you can find in the frozen fish section of most grocery stores
For the dressing
- Mayonnaise, sour cream, and olive oil – the base of the dressing
- Dijon mustard – a great flavor enhancer
- Lemon juice and zest – for acidity and a punch of brightness
- Garlic powder – another layer of flavor
- Fresh dill – it’s salmon’s best friend!
Pro tip
I know some people aren’t fans of Dijon mustard, but it’s a way to give the dressing an extra savory depth and a little zing. You don’t need to buy a whole jar just for this recipe, but it really does add a yummy umami quality to so many dishes, so I’d give it a try if you haven’t!
Helpful tips
- Prep everything while the orzo cooks for ease.
- I recommend rinsing the orzo with cold water and letting it drain thoroughly for best results.
- Seafood tastes best when it’s nice and cold, so I suggest taking the salmon out of the fridge as late as possible!
How to make smoked salmon pasta salad
This is an overview, and full ingredients & instructions are in the recipe card below.
- Cook the orzo according to package directions. Meanwhile, combine the dressing in a small bowl. When the pasta is done, cool and drain and add to a large bowl.
- Chop and prep the rest of the salad ingredients, and add to the bowl with the pasta.
- Toss with the dressing, and season generously with salt & pepper. Chill if desired.
Substitutions and variations
- If you don’t have fresh dill, start with 1/2 tablespoon of dried dill. Give the dressing a taste, and add more if needed.
- Use thicker pieces of smoked salmon if you want.
- Try grilled salmon or my delicious Easy Baked Salmon if you’re not a fan of smoked salmon, and just break it into bite-sized pieces. My Air Fryer Salmon Bites work too.
Tools for this recipe
Check out Natasha’s favorite kitchen essentials, gadgets, and cookware!
- I use my Microplane zester to zest the lemon. It’s also handy for grating hard cheeses like parmesan.
- Chop up everything with ease using a quality chef’s knife on my fave cutting board.
- This herb keeper will keep the rest of your dish fresh.
What to serve with smoked salmon pasta salad
- It makes a great light lunch for the patio with a big slice of crusty bread like sourdough.
- For a soup and salad pairing, you can’t go wrong with my Zucchini Soup or Asparagus Soup since they’re both elegant and easy.
- It can be a part of your summer spread with other faves like Loaded Broccoli Salad and Chicken Burgers. Or try it with a meatless main like my Creamy White Wine Ravioli!
Leftovers and storage
- Leftovers will last for a few days in the fridge.
- You may need to add a little more lemon juice to revive this salad since the orzo will soak up the dressing over time.
- If making ahead for later in the day, store and cover in the fridge. You could keep the dressing separate until ready to toss it and serve.
More easy salad recipes
Let me know in the comments below if you made this salmon orzo salad! Hearing from readers is the best. Or tag me in your Instagram stories so I can see your photo.
Smoked Salmon Orzo Salad
Ingredients
- 1 cup uncooked orzo
- 2 mini cucumbers (or 1/2 English cucumber) chopped
- 2 tablespoons red onion chopped
- 2 tablespoons capers drained
- 6 ounces sliced smoked salmon (tear into bite-size pieces)
Dressing:
- 2 heaping tablespoons mayo
- 1 heaping tablespoon sour cream or plain Greek yogurt
- 1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1/2 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice + zest of 1 lemon
- 1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon fresh dill chopped
- Salt & pepper to taste
Instructions
- Boil a salted pot of water for the orzo and cook it al dente according to package instructions. When it's done, rinse it with cool water and drain it thoroughly, then add it to a large bowl.
- Meanwhile, combine the dressing ingredients in a small bowl. Prep your other salad ingredients and add them to the large bowl.
- Toss the ingredients together (I also like to add plenty of salt & pepper as there's quite a lot of pasta and you don't want it to be bland – be sure to taste and season as needed). You can serve the salad right away or chill it for a while first. This pasta salad is best served cold vs. room temperature.
Notes
- Feel free to add more/less of any ingredient (like onions or capers). 6 oz. smoked salmon is the size of the package I bought, but you could definitely add a bit more!
- This salad is pretty filling, so I’d say it serves 4-6, especially if you’re serving it with other dishes.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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Delicious! I’ve already made it twice this week! Thank you so much!
That’s so nice to hear, Dewanna!! Thanks for letting me know. 🙂
We love orecchiette pasta so can that be used instead of orzo pasta ? Looking forward to making this . Looks delish 😋
Absolutely!
What would be a serving size I count macros and not sure how much to weight out
Hi Felisha! One serving is 1/4 of the recipe as listed. Your individual ingredients and quantities may vary, and we’re not nutritionists, so the nutrition info is just a courtesy. Hope you enjoy the salad 🙂
A family favorite.
Fantastic!! 🙂
What a deliciois recipe. Thank you for sharing it. I have recently gotten into smoking salmon, and was looking for new recipes to make. I used shallots because i was out of red onion and it worked well. The dressing is just perfect.
I think next time when I’m hot smoking i might try it with warm salmon fresh out of the smoker.
So pleased you enjoyed the recipe, Sylvia! Thank you for your detailed review!
My world has changed since finding this recipe! I have made it with and without the salmon, and it is fabulous each time. The dressing is so flavorful and doesn’t make the orzo soggy. This salad is a regular part of my lunch rotation now that I have gone back to work. Thank you for sharing it!
Thrilled to hear that, Cornelia! I’m glad your work lunch rotation is jazzed up a bit!
Do you do anything to the red onions prior to throwing them in the salad to take the bite out? I’ve heard some people soak in ice water?
You can definitely do that, Alexa. I admit I usually don’t bother, but that is a good method of making them less sharp. Hope you enjoy the recipe! 🙂
I just made this salad with dittalini pasta and some leftover broiled salmon. I used a shallot because I didn’t have the red onion. The dressing is the bomba! Absolutely correct about the Dijon mustard- Delicious. The recipe leaves much leeway to suit the taste buds. Thank you.
You’re very welcome!! I’m so pleased you enjoyed it. I love that dressing too! Thanks for taking the time to write a review. 🙂
I had to work with the vegetables I had on hand, but I think anything would taste good with this dressing. My husband immediately requested that I make this again, and I couldn’t stop eating it. Excellent! A keeper!
I’m so happy to hear that! 😀 XO
I just made this salad and it is so delicious – the dressing is so so yummie! Thank you for that receipe!
You’re very welcome!! So happy you enjoyed it, Yasmin! 🙂
My new favorite summer salad! It’s fresh and crisp.
So many good flavours mixed together. 👌🏻💛☀️
I can’t get enough of your delicious recipes.
I’m so happy you liked it! 🤗 thank you!!