June 6, 2024

5 Amazing Berry Recipe Ideas + Our Favorite Broccoli Strawberry Orzo Salad

Broccoli Strawberry Orzo Salad

One of the best parts of spring is the return of fresh, local produce. There is nothing quite like fruits and veggies picked at peak ripeness and ready to eat. Farmer's Markets are a great way to enjoy the season and meet your daily fruit goal. You can begin by adding berries to your meal plan.

5 Berry Recipe Ideas

Berries can be used in many different ways. Here are five recipe ideas to get you started:

The Flavorful Fruit Medley: Spicy Fruit Cup
A standard fruit salad is kicked up a notch with cinnamon and nutmeg. If you can take the heat, try adding a pinch of cayenne. This fruit cup is a great snack or side item.
The Perfect Salad: Broccoli Strawberry Orzo Salad
Featuring four out of the five food groups, this balanced and bright salad is perfect for potlucks and picnics. Or serve it at home alongside grilled chicken, fish, or quiche.
The Make-Ahead Breakfast: Overnight Oatmeal with Berries
Prepped the night before and warmed in the morning, this easy oatmeal can be topped with any type of berries. It’s perfect for the mornings when you press “snooze” one too many times.
The Blended Beverage: Very Berry Smoothie
Packing 2.5 cups of fruit per serving, this cool and refreshing smoothie is a great way to take your fruit on the go. Plus, the blend of berries and tropical fruit is reminiscent of a day on the beach (drink umbrella optional).
The Homemade Treat: Fabulous Fruit Muffins
This is a great recipe to make with kids. Paired with a glass of low-fat milk, these light and fresh-tasting muffins make a yummy snack or dessert. Plus, they’re a great treat to take for coworkers, neighbors, or friends.

Which one will you try this week? I decided to try Broccoli Strawberry Orzo Salad. And it turned out amazing! Get the recipe details below.

Broccoli Strawberry Orzo Salad Recipe

Sometimes the most unusual combinations make the best meal. Sweet strawberries paired with crunchy broccoli and tangy lemon dressing works wonderfully. Enjoy!

Ingredients:

¾ cup orzo pasta, uncooked
2 cups fresh broccoli, chopped
2 cups fresh strawberries, diced
¼ cup sunflower seeds

Lemon Poppyseed Dressing Ingredients:

1 Tbsp. lemon juice, fresh or bottled
2 Tbsp. apple cider vinegar
2 Tbsp. olive oil
1 tsp. sugar or honey
1 tsp. poppy seeds (optional)

Directions:

Cook orzo pasta according to directions. Drain and rinse with cold water.
In a large bowl, combine orzo pasta, broccoli, strawberries, and sunflower seeds.
Drizzle with lemon poppyseed vinaigrette and toss to combine.
Season with salt and pepper.
Chill in refrigerator until ready to serve.

Broccoli strawberry orzo salad

Cost Breakdown of Broccoli Strawberry Orzo Salad

Below is a summary of the total cost of making this recipe at the time this post was published.

Ingredient:	Cost
3/4 c. Orzo Pasta	$.98
2 c. Broccoli	$1.57
2 c. Strawberries	$1.13
1/4 c. Sunflower seeds	$1.98
1 T. Lemon juice	$.58
2 T. Olive oil	$.34
1 t. Sugar or honey	$.32
1 t. Poppy seeds (optional)	$.10
TOTAL	$7.00

Recipe Substitute Options:

If you don't have these ingredients on hand or don't have the budget to buy all of these ingredients, there are a lot of substitutes you can make work!

Don't have Orzo? You can use any kind of pasta. Penne, macaroni, bow tie, any would work!

No strawberries? Use blueberries or raspberries.

Olive oil not an option? Use vegetable oil or canola oil.