This Mediterranean Couscous Salad makes a perfect light lunch, meatless meal, or side dish. Prepared with tomatoes, spinach, white beans, and fresh lemon juice, this fresh Mediterranean style dish is not only delicious, it is easy to make.
I often find myself looking for easy, healthy side dishes to serve my family at dinner time.
Couscous makes a perfect side dish for busy nights, as it cooks in just minutes. But it can be a bit boring when simply cooked alone.
However, when paired with fresh tomatoes, spinach, white beans, and a fresh lemon dressing, couscous is no longer boring. In fact, this light couscous salad can easily become the star of dinner!
Mediterranean Couscous Salad
There is nothing complicated about making couscous salad. But the trick to making couscous taste good, is the seasonings.
Lemon juice, olive oil, and fresh tomatoes flavor the couscous perfectly. While spinach add nutrients and white beans make this couscous salad a bit heartier.
How to Make Couscous Salad
Step One: Prepare Couscous
- Bring stock to a boil.
- Add in couscous, white beans, and spinach and mix well.
- Turn off heat and let sit for 5-10 minutes.
Step Two: Prepare Dressing for Couscous Salad
- Whisk together juice of lemon with olive oil, salt and red pepper flakes.
Step Three: Prepare Toppings for Couscous
- Slice kalamative olives.
- Half cherry or grape tomatoes
- Slice up roasted red peppers.
Step Four: Assemble Couscous Salad
- Toss cooked couscous with dressing and toppings.
- Sprinkle with feta cheese if desired.
A Few Notes on Mediterranean Couscous Salad
- Feel free to use fresh or frozen spinach in this easy side dish.
- Couscous salad can be served warm or cold.
- Omit the feta cheese for Dairy Free Couscous Salad, or change it up and use Parmesan Cheese.
- White beans are optional, but add a lot of texture, fiber and heartiness to this easy couscous side dish.
More Pasta Salad Recipes
Couscous Salad Recipe
Mediterranean Couscous Salad
An easy couscous salad made with grape tomatoes, spinach and a bright lemon dressing.
Ingredients
- 6 ounces whole grain couscous
- 2 cups vegetable stock
- 3 cups fresh spinach or 1/2 cup frozen spinach
- 2 cups white beans
- 1 pint grape tomatoes
- 1/2 cup Kalamative Olives sliced
- 1/2 cup roasted red peppers sliced
- 1/4 cup Feta Cheese crumbled
For the Lemon Dressing
- 1/4 cup olive oil divided
- 1 large lemon juiced
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 1 tablespoon fresh minced garlic
Instructions
-
Bring vegetable stock to a boil.
-
Stir in couscous, white beans, and spinach to boiling stock and cover. Turn off heat and let sit for 5-10 minutes.
-
Once couscous is cooked, fluff with a fork and stir in olives, peppers, and tomatoes.
-
Mix together lemon juice, olive oil, salt and red pepper flakes.
-
Pour lemon dressing over couscous and toss well. Sprinkle with feta cheese.
-
Serve warm, cold, or at room temperature.
Recipe Notes
- If using frozen spinach, add before bringing stock to a boil.
allie @ Through Her Looking Glass says
What a beautiful dish Kristen! Love the roasted grape tomatoes and white beans. Couscous is quick and delicious. Now that my kids are in school to, maybe I need to be thinking outside the box about lunch!
Kristen Chidsey says
Totally time to start thinking outside the lunch box! I have some of my best lunches with exotic flare when I am home alone
Katie B. says
I love pearl couscous, too. It’s definitely a comfort food! Like you, I’ve been making lunches that I’ve been missing all summer because my son doesn’t enjoy them. This looks like one I should try!
Kristen Chidsey says
So funny! Glad I am not the only one who like to eat my OWN food while kids are away 🙂
Jessica @ A Kitchen Addiction says
Love these flavors! I would love to have this for lunches!
Kristen Chidsey says
You need to make it! It is easy and tastes AMAZING!!
Rachel @ athletic avocado says
i love couscous because its quick, easy, and filling! this looks like a tasty way to enjoy it 🙂
Kristen Chidsey says
Thanks Rachel!
Julie | Small Green Kitchen says
I love the larger couscous. I think it’s so much better than the smaller couscous. This dish looks wonderful, Kristen! Two thumbs up for using roasted tomatoes in the recipe! <3
Kristen Chidsey says
Thanks Julie. I agree, larger couscous does not turn to mush!
Christina | Christina's Cucina says
I’ve had couscous once or twice, but it didn’t appeal to me. I think I should give it another try as your recipe looks and sounds delicious! I like the sound of the roasted tomatoes, veg and parmesan in it, too! Thanks for the inspiration!
Kristen Chidsey says
Christina, I hope you do try–this has so much flavor!
Noelle says
This is an amazing recipe, thank you!
Kristen Chidsey says
So glad you enjoyed Noelle! Thank you!
Nellie Tracy says
This recipe has such a beautiful result! Love this recipe!
Kristen Chidsey says
YAY! Thanks for sharing your success Nellie!