Mediterranean Couscous Salad

This Mediterranean couscous salad recipe is a light and delicious entree salad or side dish in 25 minutes or less. Wait until you taste the hummus vinaigrette! YUM!

While food prepping last week, I noticed I had the perfect ingredients for a Mediterranean couscous salad recipe. I also realized I had a lot of zucchini, summer squash, and tomatoes I needed to use before they went bad. I hate throwing food away, so I plan according to what is left in my pantry and refrigerator.

Jump to:

• Salad Ingredients
• Salad Ingredient Substitutions:
• How to Cook Couscous
• How to Make the Salad
• Vinaigrette Dressing Ingredients
• Vinaigrette Dressing Ingredient Substitutions
• Recipe FAQs
• Tips
• 📖 Recipe
• 💬 Reviews

Although couscous is believed to be rice, it is small steamed balls of crushed durum wheat semolina pasta.  A light and beautiful base for any salad, couscous absorbs the flavors of spices of any dressing. Of course, I made an oil-free red wine lemon vinaigrette.

Salad Ingredients

Not only is couscous a wonderful base for any salad, it literally takes 5 minutes to cook with little to no effort. That, with chopping a few vegetables, and dinner is ready. 

• Couscous: For this couscous recipe, I chose whole wheat pearl couscous.
• Zucchini: Zucchini is fresh and in season, making it affordable and delicious.
• Summer Squash: Summer squash is also in season and fresh this time of year.
• Baby Bell Peppers: I chose three different colored baby bell peppers to add color and sweetness to the salad.
• Red Onion: Red onion is sweet and tangy and perfectly paired with the rest of the ingredients in the salad.
• Grape Tomatoes: I like using grape tomatoes because they have fewer seeds and don't make the salad soggy.
• Chickpeas: Chickpeas are the protein power to this delicious Mediterranean couscous salad recipe.
• Artichokes: Artichokes add flavor as well as texture to the salad.
• Kalamata Olives: Kalamata olives add an umami flavor to the pasta salad.
• Banana Peppers: Banana peppers are mildly flavored and add a pickled component to the salad.
• Fresh Parsley (Garnish): Sprinkle fresh parsley on top for added fresh flavor.

Salad Ingredient Substitutions:

• While quinoa has a slightly crunchier texture, its size and shape are similar to those of couscous, and it works well in most dishes.
• Use cucumbers instead of zucchini.
• If summer squash isn't available, double up on the zucchini or vice versa.
• White or yellow onion substitutes red onion in recipes.
• Cherry tomatoes are similar to grape tomatoes in size and flavor.
• White beans are an excellent substitute for chickpeas in recipes.
• Hearts of palm are similar to the texture and taste of artichokes.
• Black or green olives replace kalamata olives.
• A more commonly found pepper to use as a substitute would be a small sweet yellow bell pepper or a mild Italian sweet pepper. The Hungarian Wax Pepper is an excellent substitute for comparable flavor but much hotter.
• Try mint or basil instead of parsley for a garnish.

Also, a time-saving tip is to use a vegetable chopper to quickly dice your vegetables while keeping them all uniform in size. 

How to Cook Couscous

1. Boil 1 ¾ cup water in the microwave.
2. In the meantime, toast the couscous in a dry pan on medium heat, moving the pasta balls around with a spoon so as not to burn them for 5 minutes.
3. Slowly pour in the boiling water, and stir the couscous. Place a cover on the pot, and reduce the temperature to simmer.
4. Cook for 12 minutes.
5. Remove the pan from the heat, and stir to fluff.
6. Allow to cool completely, or to cool quickly; rinse with cold water in a colander in the sink.
7. Transfer the couscous to a large bowl.

How to Make the Salad

1. Once the couscous is cool, transfer it to a large bowl.
2. Add the remaining ingredients and toss to combine.
3. Now, make the dressing.

Vinaigrette Dressing Ingredients

• Red Wine Vinegar: Red wine vinegar has a sour, acidic taste and a fruity aroma. It is a common ingredient in salad dressings and marinades and can also be used in cooking to add flavor.
• Fresh Lemon Juice: I prefer fresh lemon juice whenever possible.
• Garlic: I also prefer using fresh garlic cloves for the best flavor.
• Hummus: I used oil-free hummus with a regular flavor.
• Italian Seasoning Blend: Italian seasoning blends dried herbs to season Italian dishes. It usually includes oregano, basil, thyme, marjoram, rosemary, and sage for an aromatic and flavorful mix. 
• Water: Water thins the dressing and emulsifies without using oil.

Vinaigrette Dressing Ingredient Substitutions

• Balsamic vinegar replaces red wine vinegar in many recipes.
• You can use bottled lemon juice when fresh isn't available.
•  Use ⅛ teaspoon of garlic powder in place of each clove of garlic.
• Choose any hummus or any desired flavor.
• Greek seasoning is very similar to Italian seasoning.

This dressing does not require blending. Instead, whisk it together simply in a measuring cup.

So, if you are looking for a quick and easy dinner or a great meal prep lunch idea, look no further. 

Or, serve the Mediterranean couscous salad as a side dish with these wonderful entrees: 

• Lentil Vegetable Soup
• Vegan Eggplant Parmesan
• Stuffed Shells Recipe
• Greek Wrap Sandwich

Recipe FAQs

Tips

• When making toasted couscous, ensure the water slowly added to the hot pan is boiling before adding.
• Just as you would salt the water before cooking other types of pasta, you'll want to salt it before cooking couscous. When added, the couscous will absorb the liquid and everything in it. Adding salt at the beginning of the couscous-making process is an easy way to get a headstart on the seasoning process.
• If using packaged couscous, follow the directions, except omit the oil if suggested. It isn't necessary to add oil.
• Using a vegetable chopper helps expedite preparing the vegetables for the salad.
• Add as much dressing as you desire and salt and pepper as preferred.

Try this Mediterranean couscous salad for a quick weeknight meal or lunch all week long.

If you love this Mediterranean couscous salad recipe, give us a 5-star review and comment below. We would love to hear from you!

📖 Recipe