Best 5 Cold Israeli Couscous Salad Recipes

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Embark on a culinary journey through the vibrant flavors of the Middle East with this delightful cold Israeli couscous salad! This refreshing and healthy dish is a perfect blend of textures and tastes, combining the nutty flavor of couscous with crisp vegetables, aromatic herbs, and a zesty dressing. Discover variations of this versatile salad, from a classic recipe to a vegan and gluten-free version, each offering unique twists on the traditional dish. Get ready to tantalize your taste buds and experience the vibrant flavors of Israeli cuisine with these exciting recipes!

Here are our top 5 tried and tested recipes!

ISRAELI COUSCOUS SALAD



Israeli Couscous Salad image

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

1 teaspoon extra-virgin olive oil
1 medium shallot, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup Israeli couscous, uncooked
1 ¼ cups chicken stock
2 Persian cucumbers, sliced
1 cup chopped fresh spinach
1 cup grape tomatoes, halved
1 cup quartered black olives
¼ cup sliced scallions
¼ cup chopped fresh Italian parsley
¼ cup julienned fresh mint leaves
¼ cup julienned fresh basil leaves
lemon, zested and juiced
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
½ tablespoon Dijon mustard
salt and ground black pepper to taste

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

TOASTED ISRAELI COUSCOUS SALAD WITH GRILLED SUMMER VEGETABLES



Toasted Israeli Couscous Salad with Grilled Summer Vegetables image

Provided by Bobby Flay

Yield 12 servings

Number Of Ingredients 17

1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
2 cloves garlic, coarsely chopped
1 cup olive oil
Salt and freshly ground pepper
2 green zucchinis, quartered lengthwise
2 yellow zucchinis, quartered lengthwise
6 spears asparagus, trimmed
12 cherry tomatoes
1 red bell pepper, quartered and seeded
1 yellow bell pepper, quartered and seeded
1/4 cup basil chiffonade (stack leaves, roll in a cigar shape and cut crosswise into thin strips)
1/4 cup coarsely chopped flat-leaf parsley
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 pound Israeli couscous
2 cups vegetable stock, heated
Hot water, to cover

Steps:

  • In a small bowl, whisk together the vinegar, mustard and garlic, slowly add the olive oil and whisk until combined. Season with salt and pepper. Pour 1/2 the marinade over the vegetables and let sit at room temperature for 15 minutes. Preheat the grill. Remove the vegetables from the marinade and grill the vegetables until just cooked through. Cut the zucchini and peppers into 1/2-inch pieces, cut the tomatoes in half. Heat the olive oil over medium-high heat, add the couscous and toast until lightly golden brown. Cover the couscous with the hot stock and hot water and bring to a boil, cook until al dente and drain well. Place in a large serving bowl, add the grilled vegetables and herbs and toss with the remaining vinaigrette. Serve at room temperature.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 276 calorie, Fat 11.5 grams, SaturatedFat 1.5 grams, Cholesterol 0 milligrams, Sodium 141 milligrams, Carbohydrate 37 grams, Fiber 3 grams, Protein 6 grams, Sugar 5 grams

ISRAELI COUSCOUS AND CRANBERRY SALAD



Israeli Couscous and Cranberry Salad image

This is a delicious and colourful salad which is quick and easy to make. Keeps well if it lasts that long. I only used 1 cup of dried craisins and as I didn't have a full cup of them I topped it up with dried currants. I also only used 1/3 cup of pine nuts as that was all I had, and also they are very expensive, so using a whole cup seems a bit extravagant. However I submit the recipe in it's original form.

Provided by Kiwi Kathy

Categories     Grains

Time 25m

Yield 8 , 8 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 12

1 cup israeli couscous
2 cups vegetable stock
4 tablespoons olive oil, divided
2 cups dried cranberries
1 cup pine nuts
1/2 cup spring onion, white parts only, chopped
1/2 red onion, medium sized and finely chopped
1/2 cup cilantro, chopped
1 teaspoon lemon zest
1 shallot, minced
1/2 lemon
salt

Steps:

  • Heat 1 tbsp olive oil over a medium heta in a heavy bottomed saucepan.
  • Add the Israeli couscous and stir about 1 minute or until the couscous is lightly browned.
  • Stir in 2 cups of stock, cover with lid, reduce heat to low and simmer for about 15 minutes or until the couscous has absorbed most of the liquid and is al dente.
  • Drain in a colander, but do not rinse. Leave to cool.
  • Once cool stir in the remaining3 tbsps olive oil to coast and separate the grains.
  • Combine the couscous with the cranberries, pine nuts, spring onions, red onion, cilantro, lemon zest and shallots.
  • Spritz with lemon juice and adjust with salt to taste.

ISRAELI COUSCOUS AND CORN SALAD



Israeli Couscous and Corn Salad image

Make and share this Israeli Couscous and Corn Salad recipe from Food.com.

Provided by dicentra

Categories     Vegetable

Time 30m

Yield 8 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 18

1 1/2 cups israeli couscous
3 cups boiling water
salt
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 cups corn kernels
1 medium onion, finely chopped
1 teaspoon ground coriander
1/4 teaspoon caraway seed
1 red bell pepper, finely chopped
2 jalapenos, seeded and minced
2 scallions, thinly sliced
3 tablespoons finely chopped mint
1/3 cup fresh lime juice
1/4 cup canola oil
2 tablespoons rice wine vinegar
1 tablespoon honey
1/2 teaspoon finely grated lime zest
fresh ground pepper

Steps:

  • Put the couscous in a bowl and add the boiling water.
  • Stir in 2 teaspoons of salt, cover tightly with plastic wrap and let stand, stirring once, until the grains are plump and tender.
  • Meanwhile, heat the olive oil in a medium skillet. Add the corn, onion, coriander and caraway and cook over moderately low heat, stirring, until the onion is softened, about 8 minutes. Transfer to a large bowl and let cool.
  • Add the couscous to the bowl, along with the bell pepper, jalapeños, scallions and mint. In a bowl, whisk together the lime juice, canola oil, vinegar, honey and lime zest. Add to the couscous and toss. Season with salt and pepper and serve.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 294.4, Fat 9.5, SaturatedFat 0.9, Sodium 11.3, Carbohydrate 48.3, Fiber 4.7, Sugar 3.8, Protein 7.2

ISRAELI COUSCOUS AND QUINOA SALAD



Israeli Couscous and Quinoa Salad image

A really light and delicious cold salad. You can use the vegetables shown here or get creative and add what you like, but the broth really is a must.

Provided by Pixelsicle

Categories     Salad     Grains     Quinoa Salad Recipes

Time 45m

Yield 6

Number Of Ingredients 10

1 ⅔ cups chicken broth
1 cup pearl (Israeli) couscous
⅓ cup quinoa
2 tablespoons olive oil, or more to taste
1 ear fresh white corn, kernels cut from cob
2 spring onions, finely sliced
1 medium red bell pepper, chopped
1 tablespoon finely chopped flat-leaf parsley
¼ teaspoon garlic salt
salt and ground black pepper to taste

Steps:

  • Combine chicken broth, Israeli couscous, and quinoa in a saucepan. Bring to a low boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer until broth is absorbed, about 10 minutes. Spoon into a large dish. Gently spread out and let cool completely, about 15 minutes.
  • Drizzle olive oil over couscous. Fluff with a fork until incorporated. Add corn, spring onions, red bell pepper, parsley, garlic salt, salt, and pepper. Serve immediately or refrigerate until well chilled.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 202.2 calories, Carbohydrate 31.9 g, Cholesterol 1.7 mg, Fat 5.8 g, Fiber 3.1 g, Protein 5.9 g, SaturatedFat 0.8 g, Sodium 433.2 mg, Sugar 2 g

Tips:

  • Choose high-quality couscous: Look for Israeli couscous, also known as pearl couscous, for its larger size and chewy texture.
  • Soak the couscous properly: Follow the package instructions for soaking the couscous in boiling water. This step helps it cook evenly and prevents it from becoming too mushy.
  • Use flavorful broth: Instead of plain water, use vegetable broth or chicken broth to add extra flavor to the couscous.
  • Add fresh herbs and vegetables: Incorporate fresh herbs like parsley, cilantro, or mint, and vegetables such as chopped cucumbers, tomatoes, or bell peppers for a refreshing and colorful salad.
  • Experiment with different dressings: Try different dressings to suit your taste preferences. The recipe provides a basic lemon-olive oil dressing, but you can also use a tahini-based dressing, a yogurt-based dressing, or a vinaigrette.
  • Chill the salad thoroughly: Refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld and for the salad to become chilled and refreshing.

Conclusion:

This Israeli couscous salad is a delightful combination of flavors and textures, perfect for summer gatherings, potlucks, or a light and healthy meal. With its vibrant colors, fresh herbs, and tangy dressing, this salad is sure to impress your taste buds. Feel free to customize it by adding your favorite vegetables, herbs, and dressings to create a unique and delicious dish that suits your palate. Experiment with different ingredients and enjoy this versatile salad as a refreshing side dish or a satisfying main course.

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