Mediterranean couscous salad is such a simple couscous recipe in which couscous is mixed with veggies and feta cheese then drizzled with a tangy lemon and herbs dressing.
This couscous salad is delicious and easy to make. It is suitable to serve for lunch or light dinner.
What is couscous?
Couscous is small, steamed balls made of durum wheat semolina. It is very popular in Morocco, Greece, and most of Arab countries. Couscous can come in different sizes; small which is Moroccan, medium which called pearls, and large which is Lebanese. Couscous recipes can be savoury or sweet.
Mediterranean Couscous Salad Ingredients
For the couscous
Medium size couscous
Boiling water
Salt
Olive oil: You can use butter instead.
For the dressing
Dry basil
Dry oregano
Lemon juice
Olive oil
Cider vinegar
Salt
Ground black pepper
For the salad
Spring onion, chopped
Cherry tomatoes, cut into quarters
Red bell pepper (diced): Use any colour you prefer; I used red.
Black olives: You can also use green olives.
Feta cheese, cut into small cubes
Wild rocket (chopped): Feel free to replace it with spinach.
How to make Mediterranean Couscous Salad
Preparing the couscous: Put couscous, salt, and oil in a small mixing bowl then pour hot water over them, stir then cover for 5-10 minutes. After that, fluff the couscous with a fork then set aside.
Making the salad: Combine all the salad ingredients in a serving bowl. Then add the couscous and mix.
Making the dressing: In a small jug mix all the dressing ingredients well. Then pour over the couscous salad, stir, and serve.
Top Tips:
- Taste and adjust the salt; I can’t instruct more than ½ teaspoon salt because it may be too salty for others. But to me, it was perfect with 1 teaspoon salt.
- I used a medium-sized couscous. However, you can use large-sized if you like.
- Any kind of vinegar will work well: cider, white, or balsamic.
- If you like it spicy, add ⅛ teaspoon chilli powder to the sauce.
- You can add more veggies if you like.
- You can add some roasted nuts, such as hazelnut or almond.
- If you like your salad to be a bit sweet, add some chopped fruits such as fig or strawberries.
Recipe FAQs
Can I make this Mediterranean Couscous Salad low carb?
Yes, you can if you changed the couscous with anything else like cauliflower. However, it won't be a couscous salad anymore :). To do that, you need to steam or boil the cauliflower, drain, then put in the blender and blend until a cauliflower rice form. Then follow the instructions above.
How to store and freeze this Mediterranean couscous salad?
This couscous salad can be stored in the fridge for 3-4 days.
If you want to freeze it, put it in a well-sealed container then freeze for 1-2 months and when you need it, let it thaw in room temperature.
What else can I add to this Mediterranean Couscous Salad?
You can add chickpeas, cucumber, steamed broccoli, beans, or lettuce.
More Healthy Salad Recipes:
Mediterranean eggplant salad
Italian pasta salad
Tuna avocado salad
Grilled chicken salad
Macaroni salad with vegetables
More Mediterranean Recipes
Zucchini bechamel casserole
Molokhia stew (the green soup)
Spanakopita - spinach pie
Meat pie with phyllo crust (egyptian goulash)
Mediterranean Couscous Salad
Ingredients
Couscous
- ½ cup Couscous
- ½ cup boiling water
- 2 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
Dressing
- ¼ teaspoon dry basil
- ¼ teaspoon dry oregano
- ½ lemon juice
- 3 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon cider vinegar
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
Salad
- 3 spring onion , chopped
- ½ cup cherry tomatoes , cut into quarters
- 1 red bell pepper , diced
- ½ cup black olives
- 75 g feta cheese , cut into small cubes
- ¼ cup wild rocket , chopped
Instructions
- Put couscous,oil, and, salt, in a mixing bowl then pour hot water over them, stir then cover for 5-10 minutes. After that, fluff the couscous with a fork and set aside.
- Mix all the salad ingredients in a big serving bowl. Then add the couscous and mix.
- To make the dressing, mix all the dressing ingredients well in a small jug. Then pour over the couscous salad, stir, and serve.
Notes
- Taste and adjust the salt; I can’t instruct more than ½ teaspoon salt because it may be too salty for others. But to me, it was perfect with 1 teaspoon salt.
- I used a medium-sized couscous. However, you can use large-sized if you like.
- Any kind of vinegar will work well: cider, white, or balsamic.
- If you like it spicy, add ⅛ teaspoon chilli powder to the sauce.
- You can add more veggies if you like.
- You can add some roasted nuts, such as hazelnut or almond.
Nutrition
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This salad is amazing. I added to the ingredients some chopped apple, and it was so good.
The best thing about this Couscous salad is using wholesome ingredients and lots of veggies. I loved it.
My daughter loved it! Thanks for this great recipe.
This salad is refreshing, and the salad dressing is perfect.
Does “1/2 lemon juice” mean the juice of half a lemon, or half a teaspoon of lemon juice?
The juice of half a lemon.