1 serving (medium) of Orzo Pilaf with Meat (180 g) has 306 calories. That works out to 170 calories per 100 g. It contains 40.5 g of carbs, 14.8 g of protein, 7.6 g of fat and 2.9 g of fiber. Its 0.6 µg of B12 covers 26% of the Daily Value. Its glycemic index is 55 (medium), so it raises blood sugar at a moderate pace.

What is Orzo Pilaf with Meat?

Orzo pilaf with meat is a Turkish home-style dish made by cooking small, rice-shaped pieces of pasta with meat. Despite the name, Turkish arpa şehriye is pasta rather than barley. The pasta is often toasted briefly before simmering with the meat and cooking liquid, which gives the finished pilaf its golden colour and savoury flavour.

The grains should be tender but distinct, with soft pieces of meat throughout. Serve it as a one-pot main or alongside yoghurt, a crisp salad or pickles. It provides both carbohydrate and protein; a 100 g portion has 8.2 g of protein. For a lighter version, use lean meat and keep the added fat modest.

Orzo Pilaf with Meat Nutrition Facts

Selected: 100 g

170

KCAL / 100G

Carbs

22.5g

· 8% DV

Protein

8.2g

· 16% DV

Fat

4.2g

· 5% DV

Fiber

1.6g

· 6% DV

DV is the share of the daily value covered, on a 2,000 kcal reference diet.

Calories come from: Carbs 56% · Protein 20% · Fat 24%

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Orzo Pilaf with Meat Vitamins & Minerals

Vitamins

B12

0.35µg · 15% DV

0.45mg · 9% DV

1.2mg · 8% DV

0.09mg · 7% DV

Minerals

Phosphorus

72mg · 10% DV

Selenium

5.5µg · 10% DV

Zinc

1mg · 9% DV

Potassium ⭐

160mg · 5% DV

Copper

0mg · 0% DV

How Nutritious Is Orzo Pilaf with Meat?

Nutrient density

Medium

45/ 100

How many vitamins, minerals and how much fiber this food carries per calorie. A high score means a lot of nutrition for few calories.

Satiety score

Medium

43/ 100

An EatBetter score computed from fiber, protein and calorie density. A high score means staying full longer on the same calories.

Both scores are calculated per 100 g and do not change with the selected portion. The satiety score is EatBetter's own calculation, not a clinical measure.

Orzo Pilaf with Meat Glycemic Index

GLYCEMIC INDEX

Medium

0 Low5570100

GLYCEMIC LOAD

Medium

Accounts for portion size — a more realistic measure than GI alone.

How to Burn Off Orzo Pilaf with Meat

To burn the 170 calories in 100 g:

🚶

42min

Walking (5 km/h)

🏃

17min

Running (8 km/h)

🚴

23min

Cycling

🏊

20min

Swimming

Times are calculated with the MET equation for a 70 kg adult. Actual burn varies with your weight, age and pace.

Is Orzo Pilaf with Meat Processed?

NOVA 3

Processed

1. Unprocessed

2. Minimally Processed

3. Processed

4. Ultra-Processed

NOVA classifies foods into 4 groups by industrial processing. NOVA 1 (unprocessed) is the healthiest.

Does Orzo Pilaf with Meat Contain Allergens?

Contains these allergens:

Gluten yes

Dairy free

Eggs free

Peanuts free

Tree nuts free

Fish free

Soy free

Sesame free

Which Diets Is Orzo Pilaf with Meat Good For?

Vegan

— Not suitable

Vegetarian

— Not suitable

Gluten-Free

— Not suitable

Dairy-Free

— Not suitable

Mediterranean

✓ Suitable

Paleo

— Not suitable

Whole30

— Not suitable

DASH

— Not suitable

Keto

— Not suitable

Low FODMAP

— Not suitable

Orzo Pilaf with Meat Fat Profile

SATURATED

1.2g

MONOUNSATURATED

1.5g

POLYUNSATURATED

0.5g

⚖️

Omega 6:3 ratio 6:1

Above the ideal 4:1 (6:1).

Compare Orzo Pilaf with Meat

🍚🥩vs🍚

Orzo Pilaf with Meat vs Bulgur Pilaf50 kcal more per 100 g

→🍚🥩vs🍝

Orzo Pilaf with Meat vs Whole wheat pasta46 kcal more per 100 g

→🍚🥩vs🥖

Orzo Pilaf with Meat vs Breadstick240 kcal fewer per 100 g

→🍚🥩vs🥯

Orzo Pilaf with Meat vs Simit170 kcal fewer per 100 g

→

Foods Similar to Orzo Pilaf with Meat

🍚

Bulgur Pilaf

120 kcal

🍝

Whole wheat pasta

124 kcal

🥖

Breadstick

410 kcal

🥯

Simit

340 kcal

🥣

Granola

450 kcal

🍚

Rice Pilaf

150 kcal

🍚

Basmati Rice Pilaf

140 kcal

🍝

Pasta (Boiled)

155 kcal

Frequently Asked Questions About Orzo Pilaf with Meat

What is Orzo Pilaf with Meat?

Orzo Pilaf with Meat is a Turkish-style pilaf made with orzo pasta and pieces of meat, usually cooked together with broth or water. It is served as a filling main dish or alongside other dishes.

Is orzo in Orzo Pilaf with Meat rice or pasta?

Orzo is pasta, not rice, even though its small, rice-like shape can be confusing. In Orzo Pilaf with Meat, the pasta is toasted and cooked until tender, giving the dish a texture different from a rice pilaf.

How do you make Orzo Pilaf with Meat?

Brown or soften the meat first, then toast the orzo briefly in a little oil or butter. Add hot broth or water, cover, and cook until the orzo is tender and the liquid is absorbed; let the pilaf rest before serving.

What meat is best for Orzo Pilaf with Meat?

Beef or lamb both work well in Orzo Pilaf with Meat. Choose small, evenly cut pieces and cook them until tender before adding the orzo, since the pasta cooks faster than many stew-sized pieces of meat.

Why does Orzo Pilaf with Meat turn mushy?

Orzo Pilaf with Meat usually turns mushy when it is cooked with too much liquid or for too long. Use the amount of liquid directed for the orzo, stop cooking once it is tender, and leave the covered pot to rest rather than stirring repeatedly.

Should you use broth for Orzo Pilaf with Meat?

Broth adds a deeper savory flavor to Orzo Pilaf with Meat, while water makes a milder dish. Add the liquid hot and account for any salt already in the broth so the finished pilaf does not become overly salty.

How is Turkish Orzo Pilaf with Meat different from rice pilaf?

Turkish Orzo Pilaf with Meat uses short, rice-shaped pasta instead of rice, so the grains have a firmer, pasta-like bite. The orzo is often toasted before cooking, which gives the pilaf its characteristic golden color and nutty flavor.

What should you serve with Orzo Pilaf with Meat?

Serve Orzo Pilaf with Meat with a crisp salad, plain yogurt, or a cucumber-yogurt side. These fresh accompaniments balance the rich meat and toasted pasta without making the meal feel heavier.

How long does Orzo Pilaf with Meat keep in the fridge?

Orzo Pilaf with Meat keeps for about three days in a covered container in the refrigerator. Refrigerate it once it has cooled, and reheat only the portion you plan to eat until it is steaming hot.

Can you freeze Orzo Pilaf with Meat?

Yes, Orzo Pilaf with Meat can be frozen in airtight, meal-sized portions. The orzo may soften after thawing, so reheat it gently and add a small splash of water or broth if the pilaf seems dry.

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Nutrition data compiled from USDA FoodData Central and scientific sources.

· Last updated: September 29, 2026