Mediterranean Couscous Salad

4.75 from 4 votes
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This Mediterranean couscous salad is the perfect addition to any summer meal. Serve this veggie-packed salad as a delicious side dish or a colorful main dish. Enjoy!

mediterranean couscous salad in a bowl topped with crumbled feta
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Veggie-Packed Couscous Salad

Hellloooooo, salad lovers! This Mediterranean couscous salad is as healthy as it is delicious. And did we mention it’s veggie-packed?! You’ll find a rainbow of vegetables in this salad tossed together with chickpeas, feta, couscous (of course!), and a delicious dressing.

Couscous Salad Ingredients

Israeli couscous: we used an Israeli couscous variety for this salad because we love the look and texture it brings.

Crumbled feta cheese: crumbed feta or crumbled goat cheese will work for this couscous salad recipe. Or, omit the feta completely if you can’t tolerate dairy.

Red onion: if you prefer white or yellow onion, they will taste great in this salad as well.

Cherry tomatoes: feel free to use any kind of tomato. Just cut them up into bite-sized pieces.

English cucumbers: adding some more crunch to this couscous salad with english cucumbers.

Chickpeas: canned chickpeas bring great flavor and protein to this salad.

Fresh mint: we love the flavor that fresh mint brings to this salad. Chop finely to spread that yummy mint flavor throughout your couscous salad.

Simple dressing: this dressing comes together partially when coated on the chickpeas and partially tossed over the remainder of the salad ingredients when adding it all together at the end. It primarily uses balsamic, olive oil, and lemon juice and zest for its delicious flavor.

ingredients for mediterranean couscous salad in small bowls ready to be mixed together

All Things Couscous

No need to be intimidated to make the couscous in this salad recipe! It’s quick and easy to whip up. Looking to learn a bit more about this delicious ingredient?

What is couscous? Couscous is a small round pasta typically made from barley or wheat (semolina).

What is Israeli couscous? Israeli couscous (sometimes referred to as pearl couscous) is a much larger ball shape than couscous, which is made from smaller and much more irregularly shaped balls of semolina flour and water. You can typically find Israeli couscous in white, wheat and tri-color varieties.

Is couscous a pasta? Yes! It may look like a grain, but is technically a pasta often made from semolina flour.

What’s a good substitute for couscous? A good alternative for the couscous in this salad is orzo pasta. Quinoa or non-pearl couscous would also work well.

Substitutions for Israeli Couscous

Don’t have Israeli couscous on hand, or can’t find it at your go-to grocery store? Simply sub any of the following:

  • Couscous
  • Quinoa
  • Orzo
mediterranean cous cous salad ingredients in a bowl

How to Make Couscous Salad

This Mediterranean couscous salad comes together in three straightforward parts. We’ll walk you through it:

Prepare the Chickpeas

Place all of the ingredients for the chickpeas in a microwave-safe bowl, and toss the ingredients together until the chickpeas are coated. Then, microwave the chickpeas on high for 90 seconds. Mix together well, and set the chickpeas aside for later. You’ll love the flavor of these!

chickpeas and other ingredients in small bowls

Prepare the couscous

Heat a saucepan over medium/high heat, and then add olive oil and lemon juice. When the olive oil is fragrant, add the couscous and salt to the saucepan and toast for 1 minute. Toasting the couscous will amp up the flavor — don’t skip this ๐Ÿ˜€

Then, add the water to the pot with the couscous and stir before bringing to a boil

Next, turn heat to low and cover. Let simmer for 10 minutes or until the couscous has absorbed all the water. The couscous should have a bit of a bite to it — it should NOT be soggy. 

Remove from heat and fluff the couscous with a fork. Then, pour the couscous in a bowl and place it in the refrigerator to cool

israeli couscous in a pan

Prepare the Salad

Meanwhile, place the cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, red onion, lemon juice, balsamic vinegar, lemon zest, feta, and mint to a large salad bowl and toss. 

When the couscous is cooled (about 15-20 minutes), pour the couscous and chickpeas (with oil) into the salad bowl.

Toss all the ingredients together until all are combined. 

Salt and pepper to taste, and serve immediately or place in the refrigerator to chill.

mediterranean couscous salad in a bowl being stirred with a spoon

How to Serve Couscous Salad

Serve this Mediterranean couscous salad chilled as a side (this is perfect for any summer meal!) or a healthy main dish for a lunch on the go.

How to Store Couscous Salad

Transfer your couscous salad into an air-tight container, and store in the fridge for 3-5 days.

individual serving of mediterranean couscous salad in a bowl
4.75 from 4 votes

Mediterranean Couscous Salad

This Mediterranean couscous salad is the perfect addition to any summer meal. Serve this veggie-packed salad as a delicious side dish or a colorful main dish. Enjoy!
Prep: 20 minutes
Cook: 15 minutes
Total: 35 minutes
Servings: 8
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Ingredients 

Chickpeas

Couscous

Salad Ingredients

  • 2 cups chopped cucumber
  • 10 oz. Cherry tomatoes, halved
  • ½ medium red onion, diced
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
  • Zest of one medium lemon
  • ½ cup feta cheese crumbles
  • ¾ cup chopped fresh mint
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions 

  • Place all of the ingredients for the chickpeas in a microwave safe bowl. Toss the ingredients together until the chickpeas are coated. 
  • Microwave the chickpeas on high for 90 seconds. Mix and set aside for later. 
  • Prepare the couscous. Heat a saucepan over medium/high heat. Add olive oil and lemon juice. 
  • When the olive oil is fragrant add the couscous and salt to the saucepan and toast for 1 minute. 
  • Add the water to the pot and stir. Bring to a boil. 
  • Turn heat to low and cover. Let simmer for 10 minutes or until the couscous has absorbed all the water. The couscous should have a bite. 
  • Remove from heat and fluff the couscous with a fork. Pour the couscous in a bowl and place it in the refrigerator to cool. 
  • Meanwhile, place the cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, red onion, lemon juice, balsamic vinegar, lemon zest, feta, and mint to a large salad bowl and toss. 
  • When the couscous is cooled (about 15-20 minutes), pour the couscous and garbanzo beans (with oil) into the salad bowl.
  • Toss all the ingredients together until all of the ingredients are combined. 
  • Salt and pepper to taste and serve immediately or place in the refrigerator to chill.

Nutrition

Calories: 266 kcal, Carbohydrates: 32 g, Protein: 7 g, Fat: 13 g, Fiber: 3 g, Sugar: 2 g

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

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About Emily Richter

Emily is Fit Foodie Finds' editor-in-chief. She has a master's degree in strategic communication, and a passion for food. She is an incredible at-home cook making her writing an important part of the content creation process.

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