Simple Couscous Salad

This simple couscous salad is a delicious and easy to make salad that's perfect as a quick healthy meal or as an accompaniment to any dinner!

If you're looking for a quick and easy side dish that's just bursting with flavour then look no further than this simple couscous salad.

I've based this easy couscous salad on the many Mediterranean couscous salad recipes that I've been lucky enough to enjoy on holidays over the years.

Using just a few ingredients, this dish is not only delicious but also incredibly versatile.

There's no cooking required and it only takes 20 minutes to make.

You'll find this a perfect side dish but also an excellent healthy lunch or evening meal option.

At this time of year I like to try and spend as much time in the garden as possible and so salad's like this and my quick quinoa salad are the ideal quick-to-make accompaniments for a bbq.

Whenever you choose to have it, this couscous salad is sure to impress!

The couscous salad is tossed in a tasty zingy fresh lemon dressing. You can add more lemon or less lemon depending on your preference.

A unique combination of flavours and textures in the salad provides a satisfying eating experience.

You could add this to your list of easy couscous lunch ideas because you can also customise the salad to your liking by additional veggies or protein such as grilled chicken, shrimp, or tofu.

Refreshing and satisfying you'll find this couscous salad is an excellent dish particularly when served chilled.

We love to have our couscous salad served in wraps or flatbread on a bed of iceberg lettuce!

Jump to:

• Benefits Of Couscous Salad
• Ingredients
• Step By Step Instructions
• Substitutions
• Equipment
• FAQ's
• Other Popular Couscous Salad Recipes
• 📋 Simple Couscous Salad Recipe
• Nutrition Label
• Rate The Recipe

Benefits Of Couscous Salad

• Couscous salad is a healthy nutritional dish. It's typically made with whole wheat couscous which is a good source of complex carbohydrates, fibre and essental vitamins and minerals.
• This is an easy vegetable couscous recipe. Suitable for vegans and is simple to prepare.
• Requires minimal cooking time making it a great option for busy individuals.
• This healthy couscous salad can aid weight management as part of a balanced diet. It's low-fat and low-calorie.
• As couscous makes you feel fuller for longer it can help to prevent you reaching for unhealthy snacks until the next meal time!

Ingredients

• Couscous
• Vegetable Stock / Vegetable Broth
• Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• Tomatoes
• Cucumber
• Red Pepper
• Spring Onions
• Sweetcorn
• Lemon Juice
• Clove Garlic
• Freshly Ground Salt and Black Pepper
• Freshly Chopped Coriander (for decoration)

See recipe card for quantities.

Step By Step Instructions

Detailed instructions are in the recipe card below. But here is a quick step by step guide of how to make this simple couscous salad recipe:

Step 1

• Place the couscous in a large bowl. Add the stock and olive oil then stir.

Step 1 cont.

• Cover the bowl. Leave to stand until all the stock has been absorbed.

Step 2

• Once the couscous has softened, fluff it up with a fork and allow it to cool.

Step 3

• Combine all the vegetables together in the bowl.

Step 4

• Make the lemon dressing by combining all the ingredients into a small bowl, whisking together and then season to taste.

Step 5

• Pour the dressing over the couscous salad recipe, stir well and season to taste. Scatter over the coriander.

Substitutions

• Couscous - I use whole wheat couscous. Use the smaller kind of Couscous known as Moroccan couscous rather than pearl couscous so it cooks quicker.
• Vegetable Stock / Vegetable Broth - you could just use boiled water instead.
• Extra Virgin Olive Oil - don't use vegetable oil it may taint the taste.
• Tomatoes - I just use ordinary salad tomatoes. You could use any kind though.
• Cucumber - I use a diced English cucumber.
• Red Pepper - I use a red bell pepper but you could use any kind.
• Spring Onions - you could use a finely diced red onion instead.
• Sweetcorn - I use defrosted frozen sweetcorn but you could use drained tinned sweetcorn too.
• Lemon Juice - freshly squeezed lemon juice is best rather than from a bottle
• Clove Garlic
• Freshly Ground Salt and Black Pepper
• Freshly Chopped Coriander (for decoration)

Equipment

For This Mediterranean Couscous Salad You May Need….

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FAQ's

How To Cook Couscous?

The easiest way to cook couscous is to allow it to absord the hot stock until it's tender. Then fluff it up with a fork and allow it to cool. You can also boil water / stock and olive oil in a saucepan, add the couscous, turn off the heat and cover the pan. Or microwave the stock / water and olive oil until boiling then add the couscous, cover and fluff once softened.

Can You Make Couscous Salad Ahead?

You can make couscous salad ahead yes, if you are meal preping. However I would not add the dressing until you are actually about to serve it. That way the dressing is nice and fresh tasting.

How To Store Couscous Salad?

You can store your couscous salad for 2-3 days, covered in the fridge. If you have already added the lemon dressing make sure you stir the couscous salad well before serving to refresh the lemon flavours. You may also need to add a little more lemon juice if the salad has been in the fridge for a while.

Other Popular Couscous Salad Recipes

Nutrition Label

Nutritional information provided below is calculated using paid for online tools and the exact ingredients and quantities used above.

Rate The Recipe

If you’ve made this easy couscous salad recipe, or any other recipes on Neil's Healthy Meals, then please let me know.

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