easy couscous salad

We love this light couscous salad — it doubles as a side, can be the main event or works well topped with grilled chicken or Adam’s favorite, shrimp! With lots of texture from crisp cucumber, sweet tomatoes, crunchy nuts and raisins, this is certainly one of our favorites. You can even make it ahead of time. See the notes section below for our tips.

Our Favorite Lemon Herb Couscous Salad

Israeli couscous, also called pearl couscous

Salt and fresh ground black pepper

olive oil

Dijon mustard

honey

lemon zest

lemon juice, depending

English cucumber, diced

tomato,

walnuts,

raisins, we love golden raisins

These salad recipes can be. very tasty indeed. Very easy and quick to make for speedy lunch.

Wow! Great taste, I added a little more salt than suggested. Will definitely make again!

Loved it - I can see it's a dish I will tweak each time I do it and add more or less of some ingredients, but it's definitely one I'll do again. I maybe overdid the lemon, but next time I'll taste and change the dressing to suit before just putting it on the salad. I only had cilantro but next time some parsley would be good as well. Many thanks!

Sooo delicious and easy!  Great for lunches. My family loves it. A keeper.

Totally delish!  Of course as stated in the directions, play with the dressing to find the flavor you like. For me I added more lemon and Dijon since it was a bit too olive oil flavored. I also used diced grape tomatoes since they are firmer than regular tomatoes. I also omitted the raisins and walnuts and put crumbled feta on mine. This base is so wonderful to build upon for your tastes. Very versatile and a go to salad for me.

Tastes absolutely delicious! Will look at doing other versions of this. This will work with pearl couscous and fish and carrots too. So many options!

I've always made wraps with this recipe. Except I use cran raisins and a lot more honey! I cut the cucumber in long strips and put on top of the couscous. Everyone loves these hand held  sandwich  wraps!

Very nice, thank you for sharing this recipe! I replaced walnuts with pecans, removed raisins and added some cooked shrimps. Will be making this again! :)

Easy and so delicious. I have made this three separate times and it was a hit each time. The last time I made it I had a guest who can't eat pasta so I substituted farro for the couscous and it was very good. Highly recommend this recipe.

I really wasn't sure about the mint, but I'm glad I went with it because it was delicious. Half parsley and half mint was just right. I used regular whole wheat couscous and added a can of drained chickpeas. I also added coarsely shredded carrots for nut-free crunch and color. I will make this again!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lInxbk4j5Ag

How to make the best couscous salad recipe with a simple lemon dressing, cucumber and lots of fresh herbs. See the easy recipe and video.

Our Favorite Lemon Herb Couscous Salad Recipe

This side salad is full of fresh and crunchy vegetables!

Couscous Salad

couscous

butter

water

tomatoes

cucumber (sliced)

bell pepper (chopped)

red onion (thinly sliced)

feta cheese (crumbled)

flat leaf parsley (chopped)

red wine vinegar

lemon juice

garlic (minced)

salt & pepper

Bring water, butter and a pinch of salt to a boil. Add couscous, stir and cover. Remove from heat and let sit 5 minutes.

Meanwhile, place all dressing ingredients in a jar and shake well to combine.

Place couscous in a large bowl and fluff with a fork. Allow to cool completely.

Add remaining salad ingredients and dressing. Toss to combine and serve.

A vibrant and satisfying Pearl Couscous Salad with crispy spiced chickpeas, fresh vegetables, herbs, and a zesty lemon dressing. Perfect as a light lunch or a flavorful side dish, this salad combines textures and bold flavors with healthy ingredients like pearl couscous, chickpeas, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, olives, and golden raisins.

Pearl Couscous Salad with Chickpeas Recipe

pearl (a.k.a. Israeli) couscous

fine sea salt

chickpeas

extra virgin olive oil, divided

garlic powder

cumin

smoked paprika

black pepper,

cherry tomatoes, halved

parsley

English cucumber

pitted kalamata olives, roughly chopped

golden raisins

red onion

lemon or lime juice

Cook the Couscous

In a medium pot, bring 1 1/2 cups water to a boil. Add the pearl couscous and 1/4 teaspoon of salt. Cover with a lid, reduce heat to low, and simmer without stirring until all the water is absorbed, about 15 minutes. Turn off the heat and let the couscous stand, covered, for an additional 10 minutes to steam fully.

Prepare the Chickpeas

While the couscous cooks, drain and rinse the chickpeas thoroughly in a mesh strainer. Pat them completely dry using paper towels to ensure crispiness when cooked.

Sauté the Chickpeas

Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chickpeas and cook, tossing frequently, until they become crispy and golden brown, which takes about 8 to 10 minutes. Then season by adding garlic powder, ground cumin, smoked paprika, black pepper, and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Toss to coat and cook for another minute to let the flavors meld.

Combine Salad Ingredients

In a large mixing bowl, add halved cherry tomatoes, minced herbs (parsley/cilantro or basil), diced cucumber, chopped kalamata olives, golden raisins, and finely diced red onion. Add the cooked pearl couscous and half of the crispy chickpeas to the bowl.

Dress and Toss

Pour in the lemon or lime juice, the remaining 3 tablespoons of olive oil, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and a generous amount of freshly ground black pepper. Toss everything gently but thoroughly to combine all flavors evenly. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary.

Serve

Transfer the salad to a serving dish and scatter the remaining crispy chickpeas on top for extra texture and visual appeal. Serve immediately or chilled.

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Top 3 easy couscous salad recipes from across the web

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The most viewed easy couscous salad recipes by Recipe Cart users, saved from over 20,000 sites. Or, go to our Recipe Search Engine