This straightforward Mediterranean pearl couscous salad is shiny, scrumptious, and full of flavors like olives, tomato, cucumber, and pink onions—excellent for serving as a wholesome aspect or major at house, picnics, BBQ, potlucks, and in lunch bins!
Contemporary and Flavorful Mediterranean Pearl Couscous Salad
Individuals mistakenly consider that you just want tons of substances to realize taste, however that isn’t the case. This 7-ingredient Mediterranean pearl couscous salad is splendidly flavorful but stays minimal due to a few taste ‘hacks’ and a cautious mixture of substances.
The result’s a vibrant, mild, but hearty salad that’s flavorful sufficient that you just don’t even want a dressing! As an alternative, this Mediterranean pearl couscous salad makes use of only a few easy, recent substances like olives, cucumber, tomato, and pink onion to offer tangy, savory, crisp, recent flavors and completely different textures over the nutty, barely chewy pearl couscous (aka big couscous).
It is also very easy to construct upon with added substances, so try a few of our favourite add-ins beneath or get pleasure from it as a terrific ‘clear the fridge’ meal. I.e., further protein due to chickpeas, extra veggies, vegan cheese—the sky is the restrict.
Not solely is that this Mediterranean couscous salad tremendous adaptable, nevertheless it’s very easy to organize too. The toughest half is patiently ready for the couscous to chill earlier than including the veggies! The truth is, other than the cooling, this recipe takes only a few minutes of hands-on prep and makes for excellent leftovers! Plus, it’s naturally vegetarian, vegan, soy-free, nut-free, and so forth.
In search of extra easy, hearty salads? You would possibly get pleasure from this vegan lemon-garlic Mediterranean quinoa salad, Southwest Quinoa salad, or orzo chickpea salad.
The Elements and Substitutes
This complete Mediterranean pearl couscous recipe depends on 7 easy, cheap substances.
- Couscous: You’re on the lookout for pearl couscous, which can also be typically listed as big couscous, relying on the model. Orzo would additionally work rather than the big couscous.
- Olive oil: Or one other impartial cooking oil, like avocado oil.
- Vegetable broth: Use common or reduced-sodium broth.
- Greens: This Mediterranean pearl couscous salad has a reasonably typical veggie mixture of:
- Greek kalamata olives (or pimento-stuffed olives/black olives)
- Cherry tomatoes/child plum tomatoes (or bigger tomatoes, chopped)
- Lemon: (optionally available) A small quantity of lemon juice added when serving provides a pop of brightness and depth to the Mediterranean/Greek couscous salad.
- Contemporary parsley: (optionally available) One in all our favourite additions to this summer season couscous salad is a few fresh herbs. We notably like parsley, however basil, dill, cilantro, or scallions/inexperienced onions would additionally work. Add ¼-⅓ cup (loosely packed), finely chopped.
Might I Add a Dressing to The Big Couscous Salad?
To make extra of a vinaigrette-style dressing for the enormous couscous salad, mix 2-3 tablespoons of lemon juice (and optionally some zest) with 3-4 tablespoon olive oil, salt, and black pepper.
For extra taste, add a small quantity of recent garlic (or garlic powder—about ¼ tsp) and/or mustard so as to add further zing to the dressing. For a refined, smoky taste, add a pinch of smoked paprika. Lastly, optionally add a small quantity of maple syrup/agave to stability the acidity.
If you happen to’re including a dressing, add it to the couscous whereas it’s nonetheless barely heat for essentially the most flavorful pearl couscous salad recipe.
The Add-ins and Variations:
The simplicity of this chilly couscous salad makes it SUPER versatile and will be tweaked and added to so it matches your finances and style.
- Chickpeas/white beans: So as to add protein and fiber, combine in a can of drained and rinsed chickpeas or white beans, like cannellini beans or butter beans.
- Avocado: For added heart-healthy fat and a creamy ingredient, cube a small avocado to the couscous vegan salad when serving.
- Tofu: For extra protein, add a easy marinated tofu.
- Vegan cheese: A small quantity of vegan crumbled feta would work notably nicely with the Mediterranean flavors.
- Crimson pepper flakes: So as to add some spice to the couscous salad.
- Roasted Mediterranean greens: Like bell pepper, zucchini, and eggplant.
- Nuts/seeds: For added crunch, protein, and heart-healthy fat. I.e., walnuts, sunflower seeds, pine nuts, and so forth.
- Raisins: Common or golden raisins add bursts of sweetness to the couscous salad.
- Different greens: There are many recent veggies you may get pleasure from on this couscous veg salad, together with:
- Bell pepper (finely diced)
- Spinach (finely ribboned)
How To Make Pearl Couscous Salad
Preserve scrolling to the recipe card for the whole record of substances and recipe directions.
- 1) First, warmth the oil in a medium saucepan over medium-high warmth, and stir within the couscous, toasting it till it’s calmly browned.
- 2) Add the vegetable broth, carry it to a boil, then scale back the warmth to a simmer and prepare dinner for about 10 minutes or till tender.
- 3) In the meantime, put together the assorted veggies: finely cube the pink onion and cucumber, and halve the tomatoes (or quarter them) and olives.
- 4) As soon as the couscous has cooked, permit it to chill to room temperature earlier than stirring within the remaining substances. If utilizing, add the lemon juice now, too—then get pleasure from!
To hurry up the cooling course of, unfold the couscous alongside a parchment-lined tray and place it within the freezer for 10-Quarter-hour. Set a timer so that you don’t neglect!
You may get pleasure from this salad heat, nevertheless it’s greatest to get pleasure from it instantly then.
FAQs
Pearl couscous is product of semolina flour (or entire wheat flour), nearly like small pearls of pasta. In comparison with common couscous, it’s a lot bigger, takes longer to prepare dinner (much like pasta), and has a softer, barely chewy texture.
You would make this dish with one other small pasta form like orzo and even common couscous. Alternatively, use quinoa or bigger pasta shapes, adjusting the cooking time and quantity of broth used accordingly.
We suggest making ready the couscous a day upfront because it wants to chill earlier than including the remaining substances. You too can put together all the dish to retailer in your fridge for 3-4 days.
If you happen to add further substances like a dressing, vegan cheese, or avocado—these are all greatest left off the couscous salad till you’re serving.
Recipe Notes and Suggestions
- For a mellower onion taste: Soak the onion in ice water for 10-Quarter-hour earlier than including it to the couscous salad.
- Put together couscous upfront: You must depart it to chill earlier than including the veggies, so it is best to organize the evening earlier than/a number of hours upfront.
- For faster prep: Use a mandoline/meals chopper to assist chop the veggies.
- Use recent produce: Since there are so few substances on this pearl couscous recipe, we extremely suggest utilizing in-season, high-quality veg for the most effective taste and texture.
- Toast the pearl couscous: Don’t skip this step as a result of it takes simply a few minutes however deepens the colour and taste of the enormous couscous.
- Mess around with add-ins: This is a superb ‘filter the fridge’ recipe, so be at liberty to experiment with what you will have.
What To Serve With Mediterranean Couscous Salad?
Whilst you can get pleasure from this Mediterranean pearl couscous salad as a light-weight lunch, we additionally get pleasure from it as half of a bigger meal alongside dishes like:
Burgers, vegan kebab, falafel wraps, and different BBQ dishes. You too can get pleasure from it as a part of a Mezze unfold (alongside dishes like hummus and baba ghanoush) or in your lunchbox with a chunk of fruit and a few vegan yogurt.
The flexibility of this straightforward big couscous vegan salad makes it nice for having fun with at picnics and BBQs, potlucks, or simply mid-week meals.
Storage Directions
You may retailer leftover Med/Greek couscous salad in an hermetic container within the fridge for between 4-5 days, although round 2-3 days within the candy spot earlier than recent veggies soften and lose their crisp and recent texture.
We don’t suggest freezing the assembled chilly couscous salad due to the recent parts. Nevertheless, you’ll be able to freeze the enormous couscous. To take action, pop it right into a freezer-safe container/bag and freeze it for as much as 3 months. Go away to thaw in a single day and luxuriate in.
Extra Hearty Salad Recipes
Pictures by Alfonso Revilla
Mediterranean Pearl Couscous Salad
This straightforward Mediterranean pearl couscous salad is shiny, scrumptious, and full of flavors like olives, tomato, cucumber, and pink onions—excellent for serving as a wholesome aspect or major at house, picnics, BBQ, potlucks, and in lunch bins!
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In a medium pot over medium-high warmth, stir couscous and olive oil till it’s calmly browned. Add the vegetable broth, carry to a boil, cowl, and let simmer for 10 minutes.
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As soon as the couscous has cooled, stir within the onion, olives, cucumber, and tomatoes.
To chill shortly, put the cooked pearl couscous within the freezer for 10 minutes. Don’t neglect to set a timer!
- For a mellower onion taste: Soak the onion in ice water for 10-Quarter-hour earlier than including it to the couscous salad.
- Put together couscous upfront: You must depart it to chill earlier than including the veggies, so it is best to organize the evening earlier than/a number of hours upfront.
- For faster prep: Use a mandoline/meals chopper to assist chop the veggies.
- Use recent produce: Since there are so few substances on this pearl couscous recipe, we extremely suggest utilizing in-season, high-quality veg for the most effective taste and texture.
Energy: 378kcalCarbohydrates: 70gProtein: 11gFats: 5gSaturated Fats: 1gPolyunsaturated Fats: 1gMonounsaturated Fats: 3gSodium: 587mgPotassium: 243mgFiber: 5gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 393IUVitamin C: 6mgCalcium: 33mgIron: 1mg
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