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    You are Here: Masala Herb » Recipes » Salads

    Mediterranean Couscous Salad Recipe

    Oct 10, 2024 by Helene Dsouza

    213 shares
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    Helene Dsouza
    Cold Couscous Salad with tomato and cucumber. Tip: You can use red and orange-colored tomatoes for a colorful salad.
    Total Time: 15 minutes minutes
    Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 5 minutes minutes
    2 servings
    RECIPE
    fresh couscous salad with Moroccan couscous

    A light and veggie-packed Mediterranean couscous salad.

    Perfect and refreshing for a hot summer day, this salad is quick and easy to make and is packed with nutrition.

    couscous salad in a bowl
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    Jump to:
    • 📕 What is couscous?
    • 📜 Couscous varieties
    • 🔪 How to make this salad?
    • 🍱 Storing leftover
    • 📜 Flavor variations
    • 🥣 Serving ideas
    • 👁️ Similar Recipes
    • 📖 Recipe
    • 💬 Comments

    📕 What is couscous?

    Couscous is a grain preparation made of small granules of crushed durum wheat semolina.

    Dishes made from couscous form a staple in the Maghrebi cuisines of Algeria, Morocco, and Tunisia.

    In France, couscous has been introduced to French cuisine by Maghrebi immigrants.

    Couscous is said to have originated among the Berber tribes of North Africa and the word “couscous” comes from the Berber word “rolled” or “rounded.”

    Couscous, much like rice, is a staple and a very versatile cooking ingredient as it soaks up the flavors of the other ingredients.

    It can be made into a hot main dish, by preparing it as an accompaniment to a stew as it is usually served in Morocco.

    And it can also be made into a refreshing cold summer salad with fresh vegetables and an olive oil dressing.

    fluffy couscous salad in a fork

    📜 Couscous varieties

    There are several couscous varieties varying in size and the grains they are made of.

    The most common variety that you would encounter in a supermarket is the Moroccan couscous.

    The Israeli couscous, even though bearing the same name, is not a couscous at all, but a type of pearl-shaped pasta, which is also called pearl couscous. 

    Couscous does not have a strong, distinctive flavor of its own, which makes it a versatile ingredient for many preparations.

    It has a beautiful light and fluffy texture, a pleasant chewiness, and a slightly nutty taste lending a wholesome flavor to your dishes.

    🔪 How to make this salad?

    This salad is light and luckily, easy to prepare.

    Here is an overview on how to make it from scratch.

    Step 1

    In a pot, bring the water to a boil, add the couscous, stir, and cover the pan. Take the pan off the heat.

    Let the couscous steam for 7-10 min. Once done, fluff the couscous with a fork and let it cool. 

    Step 2

    While the cooked couscous is cooling, chop the tomatoes, cucumbers into small cubes.

    Chop the cilantro finely.

    Step 3

    Mix the cooled couscous and all the chopped ingredients, add the olive oil and lemon juice, and season with salt and black pepper to taste.

    Sprinkle with the chopped cilantro.

    🍱 Storing leftover

    The salad is best when eaten fresh, but you can store the leftovers of this salad in the fridge for 1-3 days in an airtight container. 

    couscous prepared with tomato and cucumber

    📜 Flavor variations

    This salad recipe is a great base that you can experiment with by adding other ingredients. 

    For more Mediterranean flavor, you can add cheese, such as feta or halloumi and black or green olives. 

    For a Mexican flavor inspired salad, add black beans, corn, some chopped avocado, and a handful of cilantro. Finish with a lime dressing. 

    To transport your taste buds to the Levant, enrich the salad with dried apricots, chicken, chickpeas, raisins, and pomegranate seeds. 

    You can even put a Thanksgiving twist on this salad by mixing roasted butternut squash and some cranberries into your salad. 

    A handful of watermelon would add even more freshness to your salad and make it a filling yet low-calorie option if you are watching your weight. 

    For even more flavor and freshness, sprinkle fresh herbs such as chives, parsley, mint, and basil on top of your salad. 

    You can also experiment with the dressing and use pomegranate molasses or balsamic vinegar with olive oil to change up the taste. 

    🥣 Serving ideas

    This couscous salad makes a perfect side dish to roast lamb, roast chicken, and fish.

    You can also serve it with roasted vegetables for a vegetarian meal. Along with a soup, the couscous salad can form a light summer meal.

    Serve the salad with fresh lemon wedges and a sprinkling of herbs of your choice for extra color and a dash of freshness. 

    👁️ Similar Recipes

    • Shirazi Salad
    • Mediterranean Chickpea Salad
    Mediterranean Couscous Salad Recipe pin image

    📖 Recipe

    fresh couscous salad with Moroccan couscous

    Mediterranean Couscous Salad Recipe

    Cold Couscous Salad with tomato and cucumber. Tip: You can use red and orange-colored tomatoes for a colorful salad.
    4.67 from 3 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Salad
    Cuisine: Mediterranean
    Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 5 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 15 minutes minutes
    Servings: 2 servings
    Calories: 339kcal
    Recipe by: Helene Dsouza

    Ingredients

    For the Salad

    • 1⅓ cup Water
    • ¾ cup Couscous
    • 1 Tomato
    • 1 Cucumber
    • Cilantro Fresh to garnish

    For the Dressing:

    • Juice of one Lime
    • 2 Tablespoon Olive Oil
    • pinch Salt
    • pinch Black Pepper Ground
    US - Metric

    Instructions

    • Cook couscous as per package instructions with the water until cooked through.
    • Let the couscous sit to soak up excess water and fluff up with a fork.
    • Cut your tomato and cucumber into small dice.
    • Add the tomato and cucumber to the couscous and mix.
    • For the dressing mix all ingredients together in a small mixing bowl
    • Pour dressing over couscous salad and garnish with freshly chopped cilantro.

    Equipment

    • Mixing Bowl

    Nutrition

    Nutrition Facts
    Mediterranean Couscous Salad Recipe
    Amount Per Serving
    Calories 339 Calories from Fat 135
    % Daily Value*
    Fat 15g23%
    Saturated Fat 2g10%
    Sodium 20mg1%
    Potassium 432mg12%
    Carbohydrates 44g15%
    Fiber 4g16%
    Sugar 4g4%
    Protein 8g16%
    Vitamin A 620IU12%
    Vitamin C 13mg16%
    Calcium 44mg4%
    Iron 1mg6%
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
    213 shares
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    I am Helene, and I created Masala Herb in 2011. Here you will learn to cook with spices and herbs. I share from scratch, international food recipes and my mission is to teach you to cook flavorful food at home. Read More…

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    Comments

      4.67 from 3 votes (3 ratings without comment)

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    1. Susan Buchanan says

      September 02, 2023 at 4:04 pm

      I make couscous salad often. I add roasted eggplant cubed, pattypan squash cubed, roasted red peppers and scallions mixed with a lemon olive oil dressing. I eat as a main dish and really love it. It would be good with Israeli couscous as well. Don’t forget the tomato and cucumber and maybe a clove or two of minced garlic. I

      Reply
      • Helene Dsouza says

        September 02, 2023 at 11:52 pm

        That's a fantastic recipe idea, thanks for sharing, Susan. I bet others will find your version useful.

        Reply
    2. Kitchen Belleicious says

      April 22, 2014 at 6:20 pm

      i cook with couscous all of the time and just love it. I need to try that dressing over it thought. it sounds delicious

      Reply
    3. Ramona says

      April 16, 2014 at 6:26 pm

      Now that's one beautiful and hearty salad! 🙂 Love the addition of the paneer. 🙂

      Reply
    4. easyfoodsmith says

      April 16, 2014 at 5:58 pm

      The paneer in couscous is really interesting and I am going to try this for sure. The lemon dressing sounds perfect with it.

      Reply
    5. wok with ray says

      April 12, 2014 at 6:40 am

      I love couscous and I love the simplicity of your dressing. Have a good weekend, Helene!

      Reply
    6. Eva Taylor says

      April 11, 2014 at 2:19 pm

      Couscous is pretty inexpensive in Canada, even so I did buy some when we were in Morocco a few years ago. Combining couscous with paneer is rather clever and the lemony dressing sounds delicious.

      Reply
    7. Minnie@thelady8home says

      April 11, 2014 at 5:03 am

      Couscous is a relatively new ingredient in the Indian subcontinent, but I have no doubt it will catch up very soon. Light and refreshing, this couscous paneer salad looks beautiful.

      Reply
    8. Maureen | Orgasmic Chef says

      April 07, 2014 at 5:04 pm

      I like couscous if it's got stuff in it but plain couscous doesn't do it for me. I would love this couscous recipe!

      Reply
    9. Choc Chip Uru says

      April 07, 2014 at 2:33 am

      Your couscous looks so refreshing, what a delicious looking recipe 😀

      Cheers
      Choc Chip Uru

      Reply
    10. John@Kitchen Riffs says

      April 06, 2014 at 10:03 pm

      Couscous is such good stuff, isn't it? And you're right that it works very well in a salad -- great rice substitute. Love the flavors in this! Light and refreshing, but most of all really tasty. Really nice -- thanks.

      Reply
    11. Rosa says

      April 06, 2014 at 10:22 pm

      A scrumptious couscous! That combo is wonderful. I really have to buy some paneer (I've found a store that sells it)...

      Cheers,

      Rosa

      Reply
    12. Angie@Angie's Recipes says

      April 06, 2014 at 9:54 pm

      A satisfying and nutritious salad, Helene. Sweet flavourful desserts made with couscous sound really intriguing.

      Reply

    Welcome

    Hi there! I'm Helene and here you will learn how to cook with spices and herbs. Discover global food and learn to season your food like a pro. Read more about my work and mission or head over to my food ingredient space, Unknownbite.com, and our travel space, Paulmarina.com!

    More About Me ->








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