Elevate your meal routine with these delicious couscous salad recipes, each one bursting with freshness and nutritious goodness. Every bite is a harmonious blend of flavors and textures, thanks to the light and fluffy nature of couscous. Made from durum wheat, this itty-bitty pasta has been a staple in countries across the Middle East, Morocco, and the Mediterranean for centuries.
Its versatility is one of its greatest strengths – cooking quickly and adding texture and substance to any salad fixings. But what really sets couscous apart is its endless possibilities – whether you’re looking for a light lunch or a satisfying dinner, there’s a couscous salad recipe out there for you. For a little inspiration, I’ve gathered together my 20 favorite couscous salad recipes. Grab a big bowl and let’s dive in!
Mediterranean Couscous Salad
Keen on making healthier choices? Kickstart your journey by adding this delicious dish to your lunch routine. The Mediterranean diet is renowned for its numerous health benefits, and this recipe perfectly encapsulates its flavor profile with a perfect balance of fresh, briny, lemony, tangy, and crisp notes. One of the best things about it is that it’s incredibly easy to prepare and retains its freshness remarkably well in the fridge, making it an ideal candidate for meal prep.
Lemon Herb Couscous Salad
Zeroing in on new flavors is essential when you’re feeling stuck in a culinary rut, and I’ve found that this citrusy creation does the trick. It’s an invigorating mix of fresh vegetables, walnuts, herbs, and Israeli couscous, which provides a delightful textural contrast to each bite. Although raisins are technically part of the recipe, I often omit them as they’re not always readily available in my pantry.
Fortunately, this dish remains satisfying even without them – it’s filling enough for lunch and also pairs wonderfully with lean proteins or seafood as a side.
Cherry Tomato Couscous Salad
Delighting the senses with its vibrant colors and lively flavors, this salad is truly a summer treat. The perfect combination of fresh veggies, pearl couscous, crispy roasted chickpeas, creamy feta cheese, and fragrant basil leaves all come together in perfect harmony. If you’re as much of a tomato enthusiast as I am, you’ll be thrilled to discover that it boasts not only luscious raw cherry tomatoes but also sweet and smoky roasted ones, adding an extra layer of juiciness and depth.
Couscous Salad with Sun-Dried Tomato and Feta
Aside from being utterly captivating, I’m absolutely enamored with these couscous recipes that have been popping up left and right. There’s something about the combination of bold sun-dried tomatoes, a sharp bite of feta, peppery arugula, earthy chickpeas, and fluffy couscous that speaks directly to my taste buds, especially when I’m feeling famished. And, as if on cue, this 12-minute salad recipe happens to be one that resonates deeply with me.
Quick Pesto Couscous Salad
Beyond the confines of traditional meat-based dishes, this 10-minute recipe brings a Mediterranean flair to the table with its effortless meat-free approach. The combination of couscous and vegan pesto provides a solid foundation, which is then loaded up with nutritious ingredients such as lentils, cherry tomatoes, olives, cucumber, vegan feta, and fresh herbs.
This delightful dish makes for an excellent choice on Meatless Monday or any day you’re looking to incorporate more plant-based meals into your diet.
Israeli Couscous Salad
Cooking with pearl couscous, also known as Israeli couscous, can be a delightful experience. Unlike traditional couscous, it’s made from semolina flour and boasts a larger, chewier texture that requires a slightly longer cooking time. While it’s often interchangeable with its more common counterpart, the whole wheat pearls add a unique nutty flavor to this salad, complementing the vibrant colors and fresh flavors of the medley of produce.
Greek Couscous Salad
Kick your Greek salad up a notch by swapping out the traditional lettuce for pearl couscous – its chewy texture provides the perfect base for an array of bold flavors and colors. With ingredients like olives, pepperoncini, red onion, juicy tomatoes, refreshing cucumbers, tangy feta cheese, crunchy pine nuts, and sweet roasted red peppers, this salad is a flavor explosion that will leave you wanting more.
Moroccan Couscous Salad
Elevate your Moroccan spread with this delicious couscous recipe that’s bursting with authentic flavors! This classic dish starts with a base of turmeric-infused couscous, which is then mixed with sweet raisins, roasted vegetables, and a tangy lemon dressing. To add even more texture and depth, be sure to include some crunchy carrots, toasted almonds, and fresh parsley – the perfect combination to round out your exotic menu.
Warm Pearl Couscous Salad
Laying out the components of a warm salad may seem simplistic, but it’s actually quite genius. This healthy and quick weeknight dinner has all the right ingredients. As the couscous cooks, take some time to sauté chickpeas and tomatoes until their juices start to release. Then, combine this mixture with diced cucumber, sliced olives, a sprinkle of fresh herbs, and a four-ingredient dressing that’s both easy to make and free from dairy and meat products.
This nourishing plant-based dish is sure to leave you feeling happy and satisfied. Go to Recipe
Balsamic Pearl Couscous Salad
Focusing on a few key ingredients can lead to some amazing combinations. In this case, tomatoes, cucumber, and chickpeas are paired with couscous in a way that’s both familiar and exciting. The sweet and tangy balsamic dressing is the real showstopper here, as it adds depth to the dish without compromising its clean eating credentials.
Meanwhile, the addition of olives, feta cheese, and red bell peppers brings a rich and savory element to the salad, rounding out its Mediterranean-inspired flavors.
Oil-Free Middle Eastern Couscous Salad
Benefiting from its Middle Eastern roots, this dish is an excellent option for those seeking to reduce their oil intake. Blending together fresh ingredients such as parsley, lettuce, cucumbers, and green onions creates a nutrient-rich combination. By incorporating the red wine vinegar, tahini, and miso dressing, the flavors are enhanced without the need for added oil, making it virtually undetectable.
Couscous Mint Salad
Generally speaking, this couscous recipe is a masterclass in utilizing pantry staples to create a truly authentic Moroccan-style meal. The ingredients include dried apricots, raisins, carrots, and onions, which form the foundation of the dish. A burst of freshness is added by incorporating chopped mint into the mix. To tie everything together, a citrusy yogurt dressing is used to make the flavors pop and bring out the natural sweetness of the other ingredients.
Couscous Salad with Lime Basil Vinaigrette
Yesterday’s gloomy weather got you down? Worry not! A vibrant and delicious salad is just what the doctor ordered. The citrusy lime basil vinaigrette will surely tantalize your taste buds. But that’s not all – this salad is a powerhouse of nutrition, packed with an impressive array of ingredients. You’ll find black beans, sweet potatoes, crumbled feta cheese, and crunchy pistachios all combined to create a satisfying and filling meal.
Tomato Basil Couscous Salad
Preparing a quick and effortless couscous salad is within anyone’s reach, thanks to this straightforward recipe. Cooking couscous couldn’t be simpler – just boil some water, let it rest for 5 minutes, and you’re halfway there. Once the couscous has reached its fluffy peak, add some crunch with pine nuts, burst with flavor from sun-dried tomatoes, freshness from basil, and a hint of pungency from garlic.
If you happen to have a box of stock lying around, use it instead of water for an added layer of depth and a more savory taste.
Vegan Couscous Salad with Blistered Tomatoes
You don’t have to be a vegan food enthusiast to appreciate the delightful combination of flavors in this salad. The key to its success lies in the way the ingredients come together – particularly the blistered tomatoes, which release their juicy goodness all over the fluffy pearl couscous. But it’s not just about the main components; the addition of fresh basil and creamy avocado adds an extra layer of depth, while a drizzle of balsamic glaze brings everything together.
Occasionally, I like to kick up the flavor by adding a sprinkle of garlic to the tomatoes as they blister – it’s a game-changer!
Easy Couscous Salad with Grilled Vegetables, Lemon, and Goat Cheese
Giving credit where credit is due, the phrase ‘Couscous, the food so nice they named it twice’ seems apt for this recipe. The dish brings together a delightful combination of textures and flavors, with fluffy couscous harmoniously merging with creamy goat cheese, diced fresh tomatoes bursting with juiciness, and a hint of brightness from lemon zest and juice.
To add an extra layer of depth, the medley is further enhanced by a diverse assortment of grilled or roasted vegetables – the choice is yours, depending on the weather. Whether you opt for the smoky flavors that come with grilling or the caramelized sweetness of roasting, this recipe promises to delight your taste buds.
Lemony Cucumber Couscous Salad
You don’t have to spend hours in the kitchen preparing an elaborate meal to impress your guests or satisfy your family’s taste buds. This light couscous salad is a game-changer for its simplicity and flavor combination, making it an ideal pairing with chicken skewers, garlicky shrimp, and other dishes. The salad features crisp cucumbers that add a refreshing crunch, while the zesty lemon juice provides a perfect balance of flavors.
Fresh parsley adds a burst of freshness, and crumbled feta cheese brings a touch of salty goodness to the dish. As for the couscous, both soft pearl and regular varieties work beautifully, so you can choose one or experiment with both. The best part? This recipe is budget-friendly and packed with nutrients, making it an excellent choice for a quick and easy meal without breaking the bank.
Roasted Garlic Italian Couscous Salad
Beyond the rich flavors of Italy, this delicious couscous dish will capture your heart and taste buds. If you’re a fan of roasted garlic, as I am, you’ll find it impossible to resist. The Italian-style dressing is elevated by a generous six cloves of roasted garlic, which is then lavishly poured over pearl couscous. But that’s not all – this mouth-watering recipe also features roasted cherry tomatoes, creamy mozzarella cheese, fragrant basil, and sweet roasted bell peppers.
I’m convinced that even the most devoted meat-lovers will be surprised by just how satisfying a well-crafted vegetarian dish can be.
Summer Couscous Salad
While you’ll undoubtedly fall head over heels for this salad throughout the entire summer season, it’s perfectly crafted with the freshest flavors of the time. Corn, cherry tomatoes, and succulent peaches make up an incredible assortment that will satisfy your taste buds on even the most sweltering days. Adding some subtle depth to this dish is Israeli couscous, which blends in beautifully with all those vibrant ingredients.
Serving it at your next outdoor gathering is a guaranteed recipe for success – I’m confident you’ll be left with no leftovers in sight.
Couscous Chicken Salad
Highlighting the versatility of couscous, this dish can be easily modified to accommodate various dietary preferences and needs. For instance, adding meat to your couscous is a great way to increase its protein content and make it more substantial. Take, for example, the couscous chicken salad recipe that combines lean proteins with an array of colorful vegetables, including leafy greens, cherry tomatoes, mushrooms, and bell peppers.
The addition of cooked chicken provides extra sustenance, making it a satisfying meal option. If you have leftover chicken on hand, I highly recommend using it to add convenience and reduce food waste. Don’t overlook the importance of adding feta cheese to your couscous dish, as it not only adds flavor but also a touch of creaminess. Ultimately, this recipe is an excellent example of how to create a well-rounded and delicious meal with couscous at its core.
20 Best Couscous Salad Recipes
Join the culinary fun and elevate your mealtime with some delicious couscous salad recipes that are bursting with flavors from around the world. Just imagine indulging in a hearty and wholesome dish that combines the finest ingredients of Mediterranean, Israeli, or Greek cuisine to create something truly exceptional.
Instructions
Opt for a simple yet delectable recipe that suits your taste buds. Outline all the necessary ingredients, making sure to have them readily available. Prepare a quick and easy couscous salad within 30 minutes or even less!
