Orzo, also known as risoni, is a pasta most popular in Italian cooking. It looks very much like rice grains but differs slightly.
What makes orzo so amazing is that it can be served all on its own or incorporated into a larger dish like a salad, casserole or even soup. More often than not, orzo grains are dyed using a range of spices such as saffron, chillies, or edible inks to make them a vibrant colour. This makes orzo one of the most naturally creative foods that any home cook can use to make their plates look like a work of art.
However, as a niche Italian ingredient, not all supermarkets in the UK supply orzo. But that doesn’t mean you can’t find a great substitute.
Our 4 Substitutes for Orzo
Orzo is made from whole wheat flour, giving the grain a chewy texture. Its high levels of protein only add to this tougher consistency, giving it a similar feel to well-cooked white rice.
Because of how small an orzo gain is, it can easily be incorporated into soups and other dishes that may need more substance. Better yet, they are a tasty way to bring a visual vibrancy and aesthetic to any meal.
Here are our 4 substitutes for orzo:
1) Cauliflower Rice
Although cauliflower doesn’t have the same texture as orzo, its familiar flavour and ability to add depth and weight to a dish make it a perfect substitute.
Cauliflower rice pairs exceptionally well with any meat based diss as its neutral flavours will not take away from the seasonings or the protein. Though if you prefer a lighter meal, cauliflower rice roughness makes a great addition to salads that may need an extra layer of texture.
The biggest benefit of cauliflower rice is its very low calorie count, making it a suitable substitute for even the strictest diets.
Stay Away From Soups
Though cauliflower rice has a great flavour, its texture doesn’t make it the most ideal addition to soups. But for any other dish, cauliflower rice is absolutely a perfect addition.
2) Couscous
Because of its almost identical texture to orzo, couscous is a great substitute as a side dish to any meal.
With an almost sweet undertone, couscous helps to transform any cuisine into a combination of amazing flavours. But what makes couscous really shine is its ability to soak up the delicious flavours of most sauces.
This makes it a perfect substitute for orzo in soups and stews.
Ensure you Cook it Individually
Because couscous is so soft and almost brittle, it may be worth it to cook couscous in a separate pot from your main dish. This helps retain its shape and texture until the meal is served.
3) Quinoa
Quinoa has become extremely popular in recent years, and for a good reason too.
Being a whole grain food that is packed to the brim with antioxidants means that it is a quick source of nutrients that can be added to a range of meals, much like orzo.
Quinoa is often used to bulk out dishes that lack either substance or essential nutrients, which means that it is already the perfect substitute for orzo.
The only real difference between quinoa and orzo is that quinoa tends to be fluffy, so it will slightly alter your dish’s texture.
How to Prepare Quinoa
Quinoa is extremely small and will require enough water to bulk up. However, too much water and your quinoa will be wet and soggy. Use a 1:2 ratio of quinoa to water for the best results.
4) Rice
Unsurprisingly, rice is the best substitute for orzo. It not only looks practically identical, but it is also interchangeable in any orzo based recipe.
Because rice is also a starchy carbohydrate, it tends to be dense and chewy, like orzo. Though there are a lot of rice varieties out there, so make sure to get a type that isn’t going to clump up or get too fluffy during cooking.
Rice is great for soaking up broth and stews, bulking out meals and making them last longer. Better yet, rice is usually much cheaper than orzo, working out even better for your wallet.
Use a Rice Cooker for Perfect Rice
Rice cookers can make perfectly cooked rice in minutes. It’s a great investment that will save you ample time in the kitchen, not just when replacing orzo but when preparing any rice recipe.
Other Substitutes for Orzo
For the times when you have a few more obscure ingredients you need to use up, or you don’t have any of the above ingredients to hand, here are some other substitutes you could use instead:
- Barley – Because of its wide availability, barley tends to be cheaper than orzo, and most people have some stocked in the back of their pantry. It has a taste and texture almost identical to orzo.
- Arborio Rice – Another short-grain rice, arborio rice is great in soups, salads, and chicken dishes that just need a bit more volume.
Summary
Whether used as a complementary dish to a main meal or incorporated into a soup to give it some bulk, orzo is a beloved ingredient but can be difficult to get your hands on.
But there are plenty of other chewy foods such as rice and quinoa that are often used to bulk up dishes in the same way that can be used instead.