Mediterranean Couscous Salad

Mediterranean Couscous Salad is a vibrant, fresh, and colorful dish that beautifully highlights the flavors of the Mediterranean region. Filled with crisp vegetables, tender pearl couscous, olives, herbs, and a zesty lemon-olive oil dressing, this salad is light, refreshing, and incredibly satisfying.

It’s the type of recipe that feels wholesome yet indulgent—perfect for warm weather, weekly meal prep, or healthy lunches that don’t sacrifice flavor.

This salad is not only visually appealing with its bright and lively ingredients, but it also offers an exciting mix of textures: chewy couscous, juicy tomatoes, crunchy cucumbers, creamy feta, and briny olives.

Why I Love This Recipe

I love this Mediterranean Couscous Salad because:

• It’s versatile—great as a side dish, main meal, or picnic food.
• It’s quick and effortless, requiring only pantry basics and fresh ingredients.
• It stores beautifully, making it a meal-prep favorite.
• The taste is incredibly fresh, zesty, and satisfying without being heavy.
• It’s customizable and works well with fish, chicken, or as a vegetarian dish.

Every bite feels nourishing and refreshing.

Why You Must Try This Dish

This recipe is a must-try because:

• It’s healthy, full of nutrients, fiber, and protein.
• It takes less than 20 minutes to prepare.
• It’s perfect year-round and pairs well with countless meals.
• It’s crowd-pleasing and party-friendly.

If you enjoy simple, delicious, and wholesome food, this salad deserves a spot in your rotation.

Prep & Cook Time

Task	Time
Preparation	10 minutes
Cooking	10 minutes
Total Time	20 minutes

Servings & Nutrition

• Servings: 4–6
• Calories: ~310 calories per serving (depending on feta and olive amount)

Course & Cuisine

• Course: Salad / Lunch / Side Dish
• Cuisine: Mediterranean / Middle Eastern

Ingredients

For the Salad:

• 1 ½ cups pearl couscous (or regular couscous)
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1 medium cucumber, diced
• ½ red onion, finely chopped
• ½ cup Kalamata olives, sliced
• ½ cup crumbled feta cheese
• ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley
• ¼ cup chopped fresh mint
• Optional: ¼ cup roasted red peppers, diced

For the Dressing:

• ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• ½ teaspoon dried oregano
• Salt and black pepper to taste

Step-by-Step Preparation Method

Step 1: Cook the Couscous

1. Boil water according to couscous package instructions.
2. Add couscous and cook until tender.
3. Fluff with a fork and allow to cool completely.

Step 2: Prepare the Vegetables

1. Dice cucumber, slice tomatoes, chop onion, and olives.
2. Chop fresh parsley and mint.

Step 3: Make the Dressing

1. In a bowl or jar, whisk olive oil, lemon juice, vinegar, mustard, garlic, oregano, salt, and pepper.

Step 4: Assemble the Salad

1. Add cooled couscous to a large mixing bowl.
2. Add all vegetables, olives, herbs, and dressing.
3. Toss to combine.

Step 5: Add Feta

• Gently fold in crumbled feta cheese last to avoid breakage.

How to Serve

• Serve chilled or at room temperature.
• Garnish with extra fresh herbs or feta.
• Pairs beautifully with:
  • Grilled chicken or fish
  • Hummus and pita
  • Falafel
  • Roasted vegetables

Perfect for lunch, potlucks, or a refreshing side.

Recipe Tips

• Let couscous cool fully before mixing to prevent sogginess.
• Adjust lemon and olive oil based on taste preference.
• Use high-quality olive oil—it makes a difference.
• Chill for at least 20–30 minutes before serving for best flavor.

Variations

Variation	How to Modify
Vegan	Skip the feta or use vegan feta.
Protein-Boosted	Add chickpeas, grilled chicken, shrimp, or salmon.
Spicy	Add chili flakes or chopped jalapeños.
Gluten-Free	Substitute couscous with quinoa or brown rice.
Extra Creamy	Add a spoonful of hummus or yogurt dressing.

Storage & Freezing

Method	Duration
Refrigerator	3–4 days (best within 48 hours)
Freezing	Not recommended (textures lose quality)

Special Equipment Needed

• Mixing bowls
• Whisk OR jar with lid (for dressing)
• Cutting board and knife

No special appliances required.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I make this ahead?
Yes — it’s even better after resting in the fridge.

Q: My couscous clumped. What happened?
It may have cooled without stirring. Add a little olive oil and fluff.

Q: Can I use regular couscous instead of pearl couscous?
Absolutely — adjust cooking time based on package instructions.

Conclusion

Mediterranean Couscous Salad is fresh, vibrant, and bursting with flavor—yet wonderfully simple. It’s the perfect combination of healthy, satisfying, and easy, making it ideal for busy days, gatherings, or weekday lunches. Whether you enjoy it alone or as a side dish, this recipe guarantees delicious, wholesome eating made with ingredients you can feel good about.