Best 3 Couscous Salad With Lemon Vinaigrette Recipes

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Escape the ordinary with a vibrant and tantalizing dish that captures the essence of freshness and flavor – couscous salad with lemon vinaigrette. This delightful culinary creation is a symphony of textures and tastes, featuring fluffy couscous, crisp vegetables, and a tangy, aromatic dressing.

Indulge in a delightful journey of flavors with our curated collection of recipes, each offering a unique twist on this classic dish. From a refreshing Mediterranean-inspired salad bursting with sun-kissed tomatoes, cucumbers, and feta cheese, to a hearty and flavorful roasted vegetable couscous adorned with grilled chicken, there's a recipe to suit every palate.

For those seeking a vegan delight, embark on a culinary adventure with our vibrant Moroccan-spiced couscous salad, a symphony of roasted vegetables, chickpeas, and dried fruit, delicately seasoned with a blend of aromatic spices. And for a taste of the Orient, try our exotic Asian-style couscous salad, where succulent shrimp, crunchy peanuts, and a sweet and tangy dressing come together in perfect harmony.

Whether you're a seasoned chef or a culinary novice, our step-by-step guides and detailed instructions will empower you to recreate these delectable dishes with ease. So, gather your ingredients, prepare your taste buds, and let's embark on a culinary journey that promises to tantalize your senses and leave you craving for more.

Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!

OUR FAVORITE LEMON HERB COUSCOUS SALAD



Our Favorite Lemon Herb Couscous Salad image

We love this light couscous salad - it doubles as a side, can be the main event or works well topped with grilled chicken or Adam's favorite, shrimp! With lots of texture from crisp cucumber, sweet tomatoes, crunchy nuts and raisins, this is certainly one of our favorites. You can even make it ahead of time. See the notes section below for our tips.

Provided by Adam and Joanne Gallagher

Categories     Side Dish

Time 20m

Yield Makes approximately 8 (1 cup) servings

Number Of Ingredients 12

1 1/2 cups dried Israeli couscous, also called pearl couscous
Salt and fresh ground black pepper
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1/2 teaspoon honey
1 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest
2 to 4 tablespoons fresh squeezed lemon juice, depending on taste
1 medium English cucumber, diced
1 large tomato, diced
1/2 cup coarsely chopped fresh herbs; use any combination of fresh parsley, cilantro, basil, dill, or mint
1/4 cup chopped walnuts, toasted
1/4 cup raisins, we love golden raisins

Steps:

  • Bring a large saucepan of salted water to a boil. Add couscous and cook until tender, 8-10 minutes. Drain.
  • While the couscous cooks, in a large bowl, whisk the oil, mustard, honey, lemon zest, lemon juice, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Add the drained couscous to the dressing and mix well.
  • Stir in the cucumber, tomato, herbs, walnuts and raisins. Taste for seasoning and adjust with salt and/or pepper as needed. Enjoy warm or cover then refrigerate until cool, about 1 hour.

Nutrition Facts : ServingSize 1 cup, Calories 219, Protein 5 g, Carbohydrate 29 g, Fiber 2 g, Sugar 4 g, Fat 9 g, SaturatedFat 1 g, Cholesterol 0 mg, Sodium 160 mg

COUSCOUS SALAD WITH HONEY VINAIGRETTE



Couscous Salad with Honey Vinaigrette image

Provided by Michael Chiarello : Food Network

Categories     side-dish

Time 30m

Yield 6 to 8 cups

Number Of Ingredients 14

4 cups water
Sea salt, preferably gray salt
1 1/2 cups couscous
1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil
1 pound summer squash, cut in 1/2-inch cubes
Freshly ground black pepper
1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh lemon thyme leaves
1/4 cup honey
1/4 cup cider vinegar
1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1/2 cup white raisins
1 pound English cucumber, peeled, seeded, and cut into 1/2-inch cubes
1 cup fresh arugula, chiffonade
3 tablespoons sliced almonds, toasted in 350 degree F oven for 10 minutes

Steps:

  • Bring 4 cups water and 1 teaspoon salt to a boil. Gradually add the couscous. Return to a boil and let cook for 2 minutes. Remove from the heat, cover, and let stand for 3 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, in a saute pan, heat the olive oil. Add cubed squash. Season with salt and pepper. Saute, stirring often, for about 4 minutes, or until caramelized and crispy. Add the fresh lemon thyme and set aside.
  • In a small saucepan, heat the honey and vinegar until just warm. Whisk in olive oil and season with salt and twist of pepper. Remove from the heat, and add the raisins. Fluff the couscous with a fork.
  • Place the arugula in a serving bowl. Toss with the warm squash, couscous, cucumber and 2 tablespoons of the toasted almonds. Add enough dressing to coat the salad. Season with salt and pepper, and top with the remaining 1 tablespoon of almonds.

TOASTED ISRAELI COUSCOUS WITH VEGETABLES AND LEMON-BALSAMIC VINAIGRETTE



Toasted Israeli Couscous with Vegetables and Lemon-Balsamic Vinaigrette image

Provided by Bobby Flay

Categories     side-dish

Time 1h30m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 17

1/2 pound Israeli couscous
Salt
12 spears asparagus, grilled and cut into 1/4-inch pieces
1 zucchini, halved, grilled and cut into 1-inch pieces
1 yellow squash, halved, grilled and cut into 1-inch pieces
2 large red peppers, grilled, peeled and diced into bite-size pieces
1/2 cup kalamata olives, pitted and chopped
2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil leaves
Freshly ground black pepper
Lemon-Balsamic Vinaigrette, recipe follows
1 small shallot, minced
3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 teaspoon lemon zest
3 tablespoons aged balsamic vinegar
1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
3/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil

Steps:

  • Heat large saute pan on grates of the grill over medium heat. Add couscous and toast until lightly golden brown.
  • Bring 6 cups of water to a boil over high heat, add 1 tablespoon salt and toasted couscous and cook until al dente. Drain well and place in a large bowl. Add grilled vegetables, olives, basil, and vinaigrette and toss until combined; season with salt and pepper. Let sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before serving or cover and refrigerate.
  • Whisk shallot, juice, zest, vinegars, and salt and pepper together in a small bowl. Slowly whisk in oil until emulsified.

Tips:

  • Use fresh, high-quality ingredients for the best flavor.
  • If you don't have any lemon juice on hand, you can use white wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar instead.
  • Add some crumbled feta cheese or goat cheese to the salad for extra flavor and texture.
  • If you're short on time, you can use pre-cooked couscous instead of cooking it yourself.
  • Serve the salad immediately after making it, or store it in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.

Conclusion:

This couscous salad with lemon vinaigrette is a light, refreshing, and flavorful dish that's perfect for summer gatherings. It's also a great way to use up leftover couscous. The lemon vinaigrette adds a bright, tangy flavor to the salad, and the fresh herbs and vegetables add color and texture. This salad is sure to be a hit at your next potluck or barbecue.

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