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Couscous Salad Recipe

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4.9 from 11 reviews

A refreshing and light couscous salad packed with fresh vegetables and a zesty lemon olive oil dressing. Perfect as a side dish or a light meal, this easy-to-make salad combines fluffy couscous with crisp cucumber, sweet cherry tomatoes, and fragrant parsley for a delicious Mediterranean-inspired dish.

Ingredients

Salad

  • 1 cup couscous uncooked
  • 1 cup boiling water
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
  • 1 cup cucumber diced
  • 1/4 cup red onion finely chopped
  • 1/4 cup parsley chopped

Dressing

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon salt or to taste
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Instructions

  1. Prepare Couscous: In a large bowl, pour boiling water over the couscous. Cover the bowl and let it sit untouched for 5 minutes until all the water is absorbed and the couscous becomes tender.
  2. Fluff and Cool: Use a fork to fluff the couscous, separating the grains. Allow it to cool down to room temperature before proceeding to the next step.
  3. Add Vegetables: Once the couscous is cool, add halved cherry tomatoes, diced cucumber, finely chopped red onion, and chopped parsley to the bowl, combining gently.
  4. Make Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, fresh lemon juice, salt, and freshly ground black pepper until well emulsified.
  5. Toss Salad: Pour the dressing over the couscous and vegetable mixture. Toss everything together until the salad is evenly coated with the dressing.
  6. Serve or Chill: Serve the salad immediately for a fresh taste, or refrigerate it for up to 2 hours to let the flavors meld beautifully before serving.

Notes

  • You can substitute parsley with fresh mint or cilantro for a different flavor profile.
  • For added protein, consider adding chickpeas or grilled chicken.
  • Use vegetable broth instead of water to cook couscous for extra flavor.
  • If you prefer a spicier salad, add a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes to the dressing.
  • This salad is best served fresh but can be refrigerated for up to 24 hours.

Find it online: https://mealsbykate.com/couscous-salad-recipe/