Fresh Couscous Salad
This simple Mediterranean-inspired couscous salad packs plenty of fresh vegetables like juicy tomatoes, crisp cucumber, and red onions. It is then infused with fresh herbs and tossed in a bright, zesty lemon dressing. Just 15 minutes of prep time!
Ingredients
- 1 cup Moroccan couscous
- 3 medium ripe tomatoes
- 1/2 medium cucumber
- 1/2 red onion
- 6 tbsp olive oil
- 1/3 cup water
- 3 tbsp lemon juice
- 3/4 tsp salt
- 1 tbsp chopped mint
- 1 tbsp chopped parsley
Instructions
- Chop the vegetables. Start by chopping the tomatoes, cucumber, and red onion into small 1/2-inch cubes.
- Combine everything in a bowl. Add the couscous and chopped vegetables to a mixing bowl and stir to combine.
- Pour in the dressing. Next, add the olive oil, water, lemon juice, salt, and chopped fresh herbs. Toss to coat.
- Chill in the refrigerator. Cover with plastic wrap and chill in the fridge for at least 3 hours, preferably 5. The couscous will slowly rehydrate and soak up the tomato juice and the dressing!
- Serve chilled as a side or an appetizer! This couscous salad will keep for up to 4 days in the refrigerator.
Notes
- Add-ins. This salad is incredibly versatile. For extra protein, feel free to add cooked beans like chickpeas or navy beans. For natural sweetness, stir in a handful of raisins or chopped dates, and for crunchiness, you can add pine nuts or chopped almonds.
- Make it zesty. If you love lemon as much as I do, I highly recommend zesting a lemon and adding the zest to the salad for an extra citrus flavor.
- Fluff the couscous. Do not forget to fluff the couscous and toss the salad well before serving. It will give the salad a lighter texture.
- If you want to use Israeli couscous: you will first have to cook it according to the package instructions before combining it with the vegetables and dressing.
Nutrition
Serving: 1 serving | Calories: 403 kcal | Carbohydrates: 45.7 g | Protein: 7.8 g | Fat: 22 g | Saturated Fat: 3.2 g | Sodium: 452 mg | Potassium: 422 mg | Fiber: 4.4 g | Sugar: 4.1 g | Calcium: 36 mg | Iron: 1 mg