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Mediterranean Couscous Salad | Fresh Easy Healthy Side Dish Recipe


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  • Author: dina
  • Total Time: 35 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x

Description

Brighten your plate with this vibrant Mediterranean Couscous Salad! Fluffy couscous, crisp cucumber, sweet tomatoes, and savory chickpeas create a truly fresh, healthy side. Quick to assemble.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup dry couscous
  • 1 large cucumber, diced
  • 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1/2 medium red onion, finely diced
  • 1 (15-ounce) can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
  • 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Prepare the couscous according to package directions. Once cooked, fluff with a fork and spread it out on a plate or shallow dish to cool to room temperature.
  2. Step 2: While the couscous cools, prepare the vegetables. Dice the cucumber and red onion, halve the cherry tomatoes, and finely chop the fresh parsley. Drain and rinse the canned chickpeas thoroughly.
  3. Step 3: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled couscous, diced cucumber, halved cherry tomatoes, finely diced red onion, drained chickpeas, chopped parsley, and crumbled feta cheese.
  4. Step 4: In a small separate bowl, whisk together the 3 tablespoons of olive oil with the juice of 1 lemon, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, and 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper until well combined.
  5. Step 5: Pour the prepared dressing over the couscous and vegetable mixture. Toss gently to ensure all ingredients are evenly coated. For best flavor, cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving.

Notes

  • For continued freshness, store any leftover salad in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days; the flavors actually meld beautifully overnight!
  • This salad is best enjoyed chilled or at room temperature, so no need to reheat; simply take it out of the fridge a bit before serving to let the flavors truly shine.
  • This vibrant couscous salad makes a fantastic light lunch on its own, or pairs wonderfully as a fresh side with grilled chicken, fish, or your favorite kebabs.
  • For a less pungent red onion flavor, give the finely diced onion a quick rinse under cold water before adding it to the salad, which helps to mellow its bite without losing its crunch.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 cup (approx 200g)
  • Calories: 310
  • Sodium: 360mg
  • Fat: 14g
  • Saturated Fat: 2g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Protein: 5g