Black Garlic Prawn Orzo Salad with Feta and Cucumber in a bowl

Black Garlic Prawn Orzo Salad with Feta and Cucumber

This Black Garlic Prawn Orzo Salad combines juicy prawns, tender orzo, crisp cucumber, creamy feta and a simple black garlic dressing for an easy lunch or light dinner.

It is protein-rich and ready in under 30 minutes.

Perfect for summer entertaining, meal prep or taking to a shared lunch, it's a salad that's satisfying enough to be a meal while still feeling fresh and vibrant. The addition of black garlic adds a gentle umami richness that brings all the flavours together without overpowering the seafood.

Can I make prawn orzo salad ahead of time?

Yes. Prepare all the ingredients a day ahead and refrigerate. For the freshest result, add the dressing and feta just before serving.

What is orzo?

Orzo is a small pasta, also called risoni, that is shaped like rice. It cooks quickly and is perfect for salads because it absorbs dressings while keeping its texture.

Can I use frozen prawns?

Absolutely. Thaw them completely and pat them dry before cooking or adding to the salad.

What does black garlic taste like?

Black garlic has a naturally sweet, mellow flavour with hints of balsamic, molasses and gentle umami. Unlike raw garlic, it isn't pungent and works beautifully in dressings and salads.

Why use black garlic in this recipe?

Black garlic adds gentle sweetness and savoury depth without the sharp bite of fresh garlic. It complements seafood beautifully, enhances the herbs, and creates a more rounded flavour with very little effort.

Can I use another cheese instead of feta?

Yes. Fresh mozzarella, creamy goat's cheese or shaved Parmesan all work well.

Is this salad good for meal prep?

Yes. It keeps well in the fridge for up to two days, making it a great lunch option.

What herbs go best with prawn orzo salad?

Parsley, dill, basil and mint all pair beautifully with prawns, cucumber and feta.

Photo and recipe credit: Katyanne Hall 

Explore more ways to cook with Black Garlic in our growing collection of black garlic recipes.

Black Garlic Prawn Orzo Salad with Feta and Cucumber

Katyanne Hall

Servings

3

Prep Time

15 minutes

Cook Time

10 minutes

Cuisine

Italian

Category

Salad

Great recipes don't have to be complicated. This Black Garlic Prawn Orzo Salad is proof that a handful of fresh ingredients, paired with the rich umami of Neudorf Black Garlic, can create a meal that's just as suitable for a relaxed weeknight dinner as it is for entertaining friends. Quick to prepare, easy to customise and full of flavour, it's one you'll come back to all summer long. This is a tasty, protein-rich salad that is refreshing and easy to assemble. Let's get to it!

Black Garlic Prawn Orzo Salad with Feta and Cucumber

Ingredients

  • 200g prawns (raw or frozen, with shell removed)

  • 50g butter

  • 10ml Black Garlic Essence

  • ⅓ cup water

  • 300g orzo/risoni (cooked as instructed)

  • 250g cucumber, chopped

  • 130 - 150g feta

  • fresh mint, chopped (a good handful is suggested as a minimum)

  • 10-15ml Olive Oil infused with Black Garlic

Directions

  1. Cook the prawns over a medium heat with the butter, Black Garlic Essence and water for about 8 mins, until pink in colour.

  2. Remove prawns from the heat and reserve the liquid. Remove any prawn tails.

  3. In a large bowl mix the cooked orzo, prawns, cucumber. Crumble the feta and add the mint with the reserved prawn liquid and olive oil. Mix and serve as soon as possible.

  4. Serve with wedges of lemon and enjoy!