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Coleslaw Orzo Salad

Coleslaw orzo salad is a creamy orzo pasta salad fused with crunchy cabbage and carrots. Tossed in a tangy apple cider vinegar dressing, it chills briefly for a softer slaw bite that contrasts the tender pasta.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
chilling 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Calories: 520
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Orzo slaw
  • 1.5 cup orzo pasta Cooked and cooled
  • 3 green cabbage Finely shredded
  • 1 purple cabbage Finely shredded
  • 1 carrots Shredded
  • 0.5 cup celery Thinly sliced
  • 3 green onions Sliced
  • 0.25 cup sunflower seeds or sliced almonds For topping
For the creamy vinaigrette
  • 0.75 cup mayonnaise
  • 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tbsp honey
  • 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
  • 0.5 tsp celery seed
  • 0.01 salt and pepper to taste To taste

Equipment

  • 1 sheet pan

Method
 

Make the creamy vinaigrette
  1. Whisk mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, celery seed, salt, and pepper until smooth, ensuring no streaks remain.
  2. Set the vinaigrette aside so it’s ready to coat the orzo and cabbage.
Toss the orzo slaw
  1. Combine cooled orzo pasta, green cabbage, purple cabbage, carrots, celery, and green onions in a large bowl.
  2. Pour the creamy vinaigrette over the orzo slaw and toss until everything is evenly coated, with cabbage and carrot shreds glossy from the dressing.
Chill and finish
  1. Taste and adjust vinegar, honey, or salt to balance tangy and sweet notes to your preference.
  2. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes so the cabbage softens slightly and the flavors meld.
  3. Top with sunflower seeds or sliced almonds just before serving for a crunchy finish.

Notes

For best texture, keep the orzo fully cooled before mixing so it doesn’t soften the cabbage too much. Refrigerate leftovers up to 3 days; sunflower seeds/almonds are best added right before serving. Freezer: no, as the cabbage texture will deteriorate. Dairy-free swap: use a plant-based mayonnaise in the creamy vinaigrette.