Best 7 Cold Couscous Salad Recipes
**Cold Couscous Salad: A Refreshing and Versatile Summer Dish**
Searching for the perfect dish for a warm summer day? Look no further than the cold couscous salad. This vibrant and flavorful salad features fluffy couscous tossed with an array of crisp vegetables, herbs, and a zesty vinaigrette dressing. It's light, refreshing, and packed with nutrients, making it an ideal side dish or main course for any occasion.
This article provides a collection of cold couscous salad recipes that cater to various dietary preferences and tastes. Whether you prefer a classic Mediterranean-inspired salad, a vegan option, or a protein-packed version with grilled chicken or shrimp, you'll find a recipe that suits your liking. Each recipe includes detailed instructions, cooking tips, and variations to customize the salad to your liking.
From a simple and refreshing lemon-herb dressing to a creamy avocado-tahini sauce, the variety of dressings featured in these recipes elevates the salad to a whole new level. With its vibrant colors, diverse textures, and tantalizing flavors, the cold couscous salad is a feast for the senses, guaranteed to impress your family and friends.
Whether you're planning a backyard barbecue, a summer picnic, or a light and healthy lunch, these cold couscous salad recipes are sure to be a hit. Dive into the collection and discover your new favorite summer dish!
COOL COUSCOUS SALAD
Here's a refreshing lunch or dinner for hot summer days or any time you want to eat light. I combine hearty couscous and tangy feta cheese for Mediterranean flair, and then I top it off with my favorite balsamic vinaigrette for a punch of flavor. -Tiffany Blepp, Olathe, Kansas
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Lunch
Time 15m
Yield 2 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- In a small saucepan, bring water to a boil. Stir in couscous. Cover and remove from the heat; let stand for 5-10 minutes or until water is absorbed. Fluff with a fork; cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour., In a small bowl, combine the garbanzo beans, cucumber, tomato and couscous. Pour dressing over couscous mixture; toss to coat. Place lettuce leaves on 2 individual serving plates. Top with couscous mixture; sprinkle with cheese.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 212 calories, Fat 7g fat (1g saturated fat), Cholesterol 4mg cholesterol, Sodium 484mg sodium, Carbohydrate 29g carbohydrate (5g sugars, Fiber 3g fiber), Protein 7g protein. Diabetic Exchanges
PEARL COUSCOUS SALAD
This is a take-off of a pricey deli salad that my family loves. Using ingredients at home, it is much more affordable so we can enjoy it more often. Store salad in the fridge, covered, for up to a week.
Provided by Susan
Categories Salad 100+ Pasta Salad Recipes
Time 8h50m
Yield 6
Number Of Ingredients 19
Steps:
- Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Cook and stir couscous in the hot oil until toasted and fragrant, 3 to 4 minutes. Add 2 1/2 cups water to couscous and bring to a boil; cover skillet and cook until couscous is tender, about 10 minutes. Rinse couscous in a colander with cold water and transfer to a bowl. Mix 1/4 cup olive oil into couscous and stir to coat.
- Place lentils in a small pan and cover with water; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer until lentils are tender, 15 to 20 minutes. Drain and rinse lentils under cold water in a colander; add to couscous.
- Mix tomatoes, cucumber, red bell pepper, cranberries, raisins, red onion, chives, parsley, green onion, and sumac into couscous-lentil mixture.
- Beat 1/4 cup olive oil, lemon juice, honey, salt, and pepper together in a bowl; pour over couscous-lentil mixture and stir until coated. Refrigerate salad for flavors to blend, 8 hours to overnight.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 560.3 calories, Carbohydrate 82.2 g, Fat 21 g, Fiber 9.9 g, Protein 12.7 g, SaturatedFat 2.9 g, Sodium 42.8 mg, Sugar 22 g
ISRAELI COUSCOUS SALAD
A fresh and light salad of Israeli couscous, tomatoes, cucumbers, olives, spinach, and herbs drizzled with a tangy citrus dressing. Serve by itself or alongside your favorite protein.
Provided by The Natalie Method
Categories Salad 100+ Pasta Salad Recipes Spinach Pasta Salad
Time 1h35m
Yield 4
Number Of Ingredients 17
Steps:
- Heat 1 teaspoon olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Add shallot and garlic; cook until soft and fragrant, 2 to 3 minutes. Add dry couscous and saute until slightly toasted, 2 to 3 minutes. Pour in chicken stock and increase heat to high. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and cover. Cook until couscous is tender and all liquid has been absorbed, about 15 minutes. Remove from the heat and allow to cool for about 45 minutes.
- While the couscous is cooling, mix lemon zest, lemon juice, 3 tablespoons olive oil, and Dijon mustard together for the dressing in a small bowl. Season with salt and pepper; set aside.
- Transfer cooled couscous to a serving bowl. Add cucumbers, spinach, tomatoes, olives, scallions , parsley, mint, and basil. Pour dressing over top and mix to incorporate.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 342 calories, Carbohydrate 45.7 g, Cholesterol 0.2 mg, Fat 16 g, Fiber 6.2 g, Protein 8 g, SaturatedFat 2.3 g, Sodium 635.8 mg, Sugar 3.2 g
SUMMER GARDEN COUSCOUS SALAD
This couscous salad makes the most of summer's bounty. I used to prepare it with a mayonnaise dressing, but lightened it with lemon vinaigrette. It's even better now! -Priscilla Yee, Concord, California
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Lunch Side Dishes
Time 30m
Yield 9 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- Place corn in a Dutch oven; cover with water. Bring to a boil; cover and cook for 6-9 minutes or until tender. Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, bring broth to a boil. Stir in couscous. Remove from the heat; cover and let stand for 5-10 minutes or until water is absorbed. Fluff with a fork and set aside to cool slightly., In a large bowl, combine the cucumber, tomatoes, cheese, onion and parsley. Drain corn and immediately place in ice water. Drain and pat dry; cut the kernels from the cobs. Add to cucumber mixture. Stir in couscous., In a small bowl, whisk the oil, lemon juice and seasonings. Pour over couscous mixture; toss to coat. Serve immediately or cover and refrigerate until chilled.
Nutrition Facts :
EASY COUSCOUS SALAD
This past summer was very hot and this salad fitted perfectly. Not too heavy, yet filling and above all, easy to make.
Provided by Chef Dudo
Categories Grains
Time 20m
Yield 4 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- Bring stock to a boil in a heavy saucepan.
- Stir in couscous.
- Cover pan, remove from heat and set aside 15 minutes Combine balsamic vinegar, olive oil, mustard and lemon zest in a small bowl.
- Mix well.
- Transfer couscous to a large bowl.
- Fluff with a fork.
- Add tomatoes, red bell pepper, celery, cucumber, scallions and parsley to bowl with cooked couscous.
- Mix gently.
- Pour dressing over mixture and mix again.
- Season with salt and pepper.
- Can be served luke-warm or chilled.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 206.1, Fat 4.4, SaturatedFat 0.7, Sodium 253.5, Carbohydrate 34.2, Fiber 3.8, Sugar 5.9, Protein 7
SUNNY'S SIMPLE SUMMERTIME COUSCOUS SALAD
Provided by Sunny Anderson
Categories side-dish
Time 2h25m
Yield 4 to 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Make the dressing: In a large bowl, whisk together the honey, orange juice, a pinch of salt, mustard, olive oil and a few grinds of black pepper. Whisk until combined, then slowly add the oil while whisking until it is all combined. Taste and season with more salt, if needed. Set aside.
- Make the salad: To the bowl of dressing, add the cooked couscous, cucumbers and sweet peppers. Toss to coat and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, tossing a few times as it chills.
- Finish and serve. Remove the salad from the refrigerator and toss again. Garnish with the orange sections, basil and mint.
CRANBERRY COUSCOUS SALAD
I got this delicious recipe from a co-worker after she brought it to a potluck. It was definitely one of the hits of the day! Originally from Southern Living. Update Dec '09: I've now made this multiple times since originally posting; it is one of my absolute favorites for a potluck! I usually double it but find that if you cook double the amount of couscous at once, it can get gummy, so I cook it in two separate batches (cook one then use the same pot to do the next), then add the rest of the (doubled) ingredients.
Provided by flower7
Categories Berries
Time 25m
Yield 6 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Combine broth, cranberries, cinnamon, and cumin in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil.
- Remove broth from heat and stir in couscous. Cover and let stand for 5-7 minutes. Fluff with a fork and set aside to cool slightly, uncovered.
- Whisk oil and vinegar together; pour over couscous. Add remaining ingredients and toss well.
- Serve either chilled or at room temperature.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 235.7, Fat 12.2, SaturatedFat 1.5, Sodium 191.4, Carbohydrate 25.6, Fiber 3, Sugar 0.8, Protein 6.2
Tips
- Soak the couscous in cold water: This helps to soften the couscous and make it easier to eat. You can soak it for as little as 15 minutes or as long as overnight.
- Fluff the couscous with a fork: This helps to separate the grains of couscous and make it light and fluffy.
- Use a variety of vegetables: This will add color, flavor, and texture to your salad. Some good options include cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, and bell pepper.
- Choose a flavorful dressing: A good dressing will help to bring all of the flavors of the salad together. You can use a simple vinaigrette or a more complex dressing, such as a lemon-tahini dressing or a yogurt-based dressing.
- Add some protein: If you want to make your salad more filling, you can add some protein, such as grilled chicken, roasted chickpeas, or feta cheese.
- Serve the salad chilled: Cold couscous salad is best served chilled. You can either refrigerate it for a few hours before serving or you can serve it immediately over ice.
Conclusion
Cold couscous salad is a refreshing and flavorful side dish that is perfect for summer gatherings. It is easy to make and can be tailored to your own preferences. With a variety of vegetables, a flavorful dressing, and some protein, cold couscous salad is a dish that everyone will enjoy.Tips
- Soak the couscous in cold water for 15 minutes to overnight.
- Fluff the couscous with a fork before adding other ingredients.
- Use a variety of vegetables for color, flavor, and texture.
- Choose a flavorful dressing, such as a vinaigrette or yogurt-based dressing.
- Add some protein, such as grilled chicken or roasted chickpeas, for a more filling salad.
- Serve the salad chilled, either refrigerated for a few hours or over ice.
Conclusion
Cold couscous salad is a refreshing and flavorful side dish that is perfect for summer gatherings. It is easy to make and can be tailored to your own preferences. With a variety of vegetables, a flavorful dressing, and some protein, cold couscous salad is a dish that everyone will enjoy.
Are you curently on diet or you just want to control your food's nutritions, ingredients? We will help you find recipes by cooking method, nutrition, ingredients...
Check it out »
You'll also love
