Orzo Salad with Apples and Cranberries {Fall Harvest Orzo Salad} is a simple deliciously Fall inspired Salad that is perfect for the holidays and family gathering this season—made with chilled Ozro, crisp gala apples, dried cranberries, broccoli, chopped walnuts, and a fresh, clean-tasting dressing made from freshly squeezed lemons, and pure virgin olive oil.
It’s starting to cool down in many areas of the country, and it’s becoming the season for comfort food. During the cooler days and nights, it is easy to indulge in heavier dishes — This dish warms the soul with its perfect al dente orzo. Yet, the cranberries, crisp gala apples, crunchy broccoli, and fresh basil still manage to keep this Fall Harvest Orzo Salad light and refreshing.
It’s fall, a time to enjoy fall ingredients like apples, pumpkins, nuts, and cranberries. Here in the South, it’s still warm and inviting in the sun, but we are sure ready to enjoy our fall foods even if it’s 89 degrees in the shade. That’s why I love making Orzo Salad with Apples and Cranberries {Fall Harvest Orzo Salad} because it hosts some of my favorite fall ingredients without making my house 1000 degrees.
This delicious and straightforward Orzo Salad with Apples and Cranberries is hands-down one of my favorite side dishes to enjoy this time of the year. It’s healthy, incredibly easy to make, and it tastes even better after sitting in the fridge overnight.
Orzo Salad with Apples and Cranberries
- Three cups of cooked orzo, chilled
- One cup dried cranberries
- One and 1/2 cups fresh broccoli, chopped into small pieces
- One and 1/2 cups gala apple, diced
- 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- Three tablespoons of fresh lemon juice
- kosher salt to own taste
- freshly ground black pepper to own taste
- a pinch of sugar, optional
- Five fresh basil leaves chopped
- 1/4 cup walnuts, chopped, optional

Orzo Salad with Apples and Cranberries {Fall Harvest Orzo Salad}
Ingredients
- 3 cups cooked orzo chilled
- 1 cup dried cranberries
- 1½ cups fresh broccoli chopped into small pieces
- 1½ gala apple diced
- ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 3 tablespoons of fresh lemon juice
- kosher salt to own taste
- freshly ground black pepper to own taste
- a pinch of sugar optional
- 5 fresh basil leaves chopped
- ¼ cup walnuts chopped, optional
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, add orzo, dried cranberries, chopped broccoli, diced gala apples, olive oil, lemon, juice, kosher salt, ground black pepper, sugar, chopped basil, gently combine until well-incorporated.
- Transfer the mixture to a serving dish, sprinkle with chopped walnuts and serve.
Nutrition
9 Comments
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January 18, 2021 at 8:17 am[…] Orzo Salad with Apples and Cranberries is a simple, deliciously made salad with chilled Ozro, crisp gala apples, dried cranberries, broccoli, chopped walnuts, and a fresh and clean-tasting dressing. […]
Stacy
August 22, 2018 at 10:25 amYour blog always makes me hungry.
hmccallum
August 22, 2018 at 10:27 amHa Ha, Stacy! That’s my job! Thanks for making my day.
Tom
August 22, 2018 at 10:24 amSuper easy to make and was a nice change up for dinner
hmccallum
August 22, 2018 at 10:28 amHi, Tom, yes this is one of my favorites to make off and on for the family.
Vicky
August 22, 2018 at 10:24 amI din’t have all the ingredients on hand but turned out well. Hope next time I can do more to plan.
hmccallum
August 22, 2018 at 10:29 amHi Vicky, happy to hear that! Which ingredients were you out of? Hope you have them next time as you missed out. Glad you came back to share though. Hugs.
Connie Brown
August 22, 2018 at 10:23 amGreat salad for anytime of the year. I made this for church..went over well
hmccallum
August 22, 2018 at 10:30 amI agree with you Connie, this is a great salad for a potluck or church function. Glad you came back to let me know,