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It’s Pearl Couscous Salad Now What you need for all your summer potlucks. Couscous is cooked in a vegetable broth to make it fluffy and delicious, then combined with fresh vegetables, feta cheese, and a tangy lemon vinaigrette for the ultimate Mediterranean flavor combination!
Want to change up your summer salad game? After making this Pearl Couscous Salad, try a Quinoa Salad or Greek Orzo Salad! They’re light and refreshing but filled with hearty pastas and grains.
Pearl Couscous Salad
Pearl couscous (also known as Israeli couscous) is slightly larger than regular Moroccan couscous. Because of this, it’s the perfect size to add to a summer salad! If you’ve never tasted this pearl-shaped pasta, you’re going to love it. When you cook it in broth (today I am using vegetable) it becomes light, fluffy and so delicious!
Today’s Pearl Couscous Salad recipe has a delicious Mediterranean twist. I added sliced cucumbers, tomatoes, and crumbled feta cheese, all coated in a wonderful lemon vinaigrette. And of course, every Mediterranean dish needs some fresh herbs, so this salad is loaded with fresh chopped parsley. Trust me, this recipe is going to be a game-changer for all your summer barbecues.
necessary ingredients
Besides couscous, this salad uses lots of great ingredients. It’s loaded with fresh veggies and a homemade lemon vinaigrette you’ll love! I have linked my recipe below. You can also find the exact measurements in the recipe card at the end of the post.
- extra virgin olive oil: To toast your couscous.
- Pearl Couscous: Here is the star of the show, little pasta made from semolina flour! Some debate whether it’s a grain or a pasta, but one thing’s for sure—it adds the best texture to this salad!
- Vegetable bag: Once the couscous is toasted, it is cooked in this broth to make it puffy and enhance the flavor. You can also use chicken or mushroom broth if you prefer.
- Lemon juice: Because no Mediterranean recipe is complete without a splash of lemon juice!
- Garlic Powder: The savory flavor helps balance the lemon juice and vinaigrette.
- salt and pepper: season to taste.
- fresh parsley: A great way to add an extra pop of flavor! You can also use basil, mint or rosemary.
- English Cucumber: Cucumbers are a must for any summer salad. They have the best crunch and are so fresh!
- grape tomatoes: Add a little color and sweetness to Pearl Couscous Salad.
- Red onion: Chopped red onion adds a delicious crunch and savory flavor to the salad.
- crumbled feta cheese: for some tangy, savory flavor.
- Easy Lemon VinaigretteThe Best Dressing To Toss Your Pearl Couscous Salad With! It’s bright, sour, and coats the couscous and vegetables perfectly.
How to Make Pearl Couscous Salad
All you have to do is toast your couscous, then mix all your ingredients together! it’s so simple! You’ll have it ready in less than 30 minutes.
- Toasted Couscous: Heat your olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium high heat. Add in your couscous and fry it in oil for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Cook in Broth: Once the couscous is toasted, add the vegetable broth, lemon juice, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Bring liquid to a rolling boil. Cover and simmer the couscous on low heat for 13-15 minutes.
- Simar: Open the couscous and fluff it with a fork. All liquid should be absorbed, so continue to simmer for a few more minutes if liquid remains.
- Prepare the Vinaigrette: While the couscous is cooking, prepare the vinaigrette following the linked recipe and set it aside.
- remove from heat: When the couscous is fully cooked and becomes soft, take it off the heat.
- Add cucumber, tomato, red onion, parsley, feta, and vinaigrette.
- Toss and serve: Toss gently to coat the ingredients and serve!
Tasty Variations
Like other pasta salads, this pearl couscous salad is super customizable. Switch up the dressing, use different vegetables, the choice is yours!
- Use a different dressing: If you don’t want to use lemon vinaigrette for your pearl couscous salad, you can swap it out for things like Greek Salad Dressing, Balsamic Vinaigrette or Green Goddess Dressing. You can also add a drizzle of tzatziki sauce if you like.
- More Mix-ins: Feel free to toss kalamata olives, sliced avocado, chickpeas, bell peppers, butternut squash, cauliflower, broccoli, pine nuts, or green onions into your Pearl Couscous Salad.
- Add Herbs: Instead of parsley, try adding fresh mint or fresh basil for something aromatic and flavorful!
Storing Leftover Pearl Couscous Salad
I Like This Pearl Couscous Salad Almost Tastes Like better The longer it is stored. This allows the vinaigrette to sink into the pasta, giving it more flavor in each bite! This salad is also great for making ahead and eating on the go. That’s why it’s perfect for potlucks!
- in the refrigerator: Leftovers can be kept in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week.
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Heat your olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium high heat. Add in your couscous and fry it in oil for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
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Once the couscous is toasted, add the vegetable broth, lemon juice, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Bring liquid to a rolling boil. Lower the heat, cover and let the couscous simmer for 13-15 minutes.
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Open the couscous and fluff it with a fork. All liquid should be absorbed, so continue to simmer for a few more minutes if liquid remains.
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While the couscous is cooking, prepare the vinaigrette following the linked recipe and set it aside.
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When the couscous is fully cooked and becomes soft, take it off the heat.
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Add cucumber, tomato, red onion, parsley, feta, and vinaigrette. Toss gently to coat the ingredients and serve!
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Leftovers can be kept in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week.
works: 8
calories220kcal (11%)carbohydrates37Yes (12%)protein7Yes (14%)Fat5Yes (8%)Saturated fat1Yes (5%)polyunsaturated fat1Yesmonounsaturated fat3Yescholesterol4MG (1%)sodium763MG (32%)potassium151MG (4%)fiber3Yes (12%)Sugar2Yes (2%)Vitamin A489IU (10%)vitamin C7MG (8%)calcium42MG (4%)Iron1MG (6%)
All nutritional information is based on third party calculations and is an estimate only. Each recipe and nutritional value will vary depending on the brands you use, measuring methods and portion sizes per household.
