Best 4 Healthy Mediterranean Couscous Salad With Lemon Vinaigrette Recipes

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Indulge in the vibrant flavors of the Mediterranean with this healthy and refreshing couscous salad. Bursting with fresh vegetables, herbs, and a zesty lemon vinaigrette, this salad is a delightful blend of textures and tastes.

Packed with nutrients, the couscous salad is a perfect meal for lunch or dinner. The lemon vinaigrette adds a tangy and refreshing touch, while the variety of vegetables and herbs provides a symphony of flavors and colors. With its vibrant presentation and delicious taste, this salad is sure to impress your family and friends.

In this article, you'll find not only the recipe for this delectable couscous salad but also a collection of other Mediterranean-inspired recipes that will transport you to the sun-kissed shores of the Mediterranean Sea. From classic dishes like moussaka and spanakopita to refreshing salads and flavorful dips, these recipes showcase the diverse and delicious cuisine of the region.

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

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.

HEALTHY MEDITERRANEAN COUSCOUS SALAD WITH LEMON VINAIGRETTE



Healthy Mediterranean Couscous salad with lemon vinaigrette image

A delicious salad with bold Mediterranean flavors that you can make ahead of time!

Provided by Marilena Leavitt

Categories     Salad

Time 20m

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 14

1 cup pearl (or Israeli) couscous
½ cup red onion, minced
6 oz. (about ½ can) chickpeas or cannellini beans, rinsed well
3 oz. sun dried tomatoes, sliced in olive oil, with the oil
½ cup fresh parsley or fresh cilantro, chopped
¼ cup mixed olives (packed in olive oil), cut in half and drained
6 TBSP. extra virgin olive oil
--- zest and juice of one (or half) medium organic lemon
½ tsp. sea salt
¼ tsp. freshly ground pepper
1 medium garlic, finely minced (or grated with a microplane)
¼ tsp. ground coriander (optional)
2-3 oz. arugula
1-2 oz. Greek Feta cheese, crumbled

Steps:

  • Cook couscous in plenty of water, according to the package instructions. Once cooked, drain the water and let the couscous cool a bit then place in a large bowl.
  • To the bowl, add the red onion, chickpeas, sun dried tomatoes and olives.
  • In a separate, small bowl, mix together the olive oil, lemon zest and juice, grated garlic, sea salt, black pepper and coriander. Pour it over the couscous mixture, to taste (you might not need it all). Toss well to combine. Gently fold in the arugula, sprinkle the Feta over the salad and taste. Adjust the seasoning if necessary, and serve.

ITALIAN SALAD WITH LEMON VINAIGRETTE



Italian Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette image

For an Italian twist on salad, I mix greens with red onion, mushrooms, olives, pepperoncini, lemon juice and Italian seasoning. Add tomatoes and carrots if you like. -Deborah Loop, Clinton Township, Michigan

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Lunch     Side Dishes

Time 20m

Yield 8 servings (1/2 cup vinaigrette).

Number Of Ingredients 12

1 package (5 ounces) spring mix salad greens
1 small red onion, thinly sliced
1 cup sliced fresh mushrooms
1 cup assorted olives, pitted and coarsely chopped
8 pepperoncini
Optional toppings: Chopped tomatoes, shredded carrots and grated Parmesan cheese
VINAIGRETTE:
1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
3 tablespoons lemon juice
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper

Steps:

  • In a large bowl, combine the first five ingredients; toss lightly. If desired, add toppings., In a small bowl, whisk vinaigrette ingredients until blended. Serve with salad.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 109 calories, Fat 11g fat (1g saturated fat), Cholesterol 0 cholesterol, Sodium 343mg sodium, Carbohydrate 4g carbohydrate (1g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 1g protein. Diabetic Exchanges

Tips:

  • Use high-quality ingredients: Fresh, flavorful ingredients will make all the difference in your couscous salad. Look for ripe vegetables, tender herbs, and good-quality olive oil.
  • Don't overcook the couscous: Couscous only takes a few minutes to cook, so be careful not to overcook it. Overcooked couscous will be mushy and lose its texture.
  • Let the couscous cool completely before assembling the salad: This will help prevent the couscous from becoming soggy.
  • Use a light hand with the dressing: A little bit of dressing goes a long way, so be careful not to overdo it. You can always add more dressing if needed.
  • Taste the salad before serving and adjust the seasonings as needed: You may want to add more lemon juice, salt, or pepper to taste.

Conclusion:

This healthy Mediterranean couscous salad is a delicious and refreshing side dish or main course. It's packed with fresh vegetables, herbs, and flavor. The lemon vinaigrette dressing is light and tangy, and it perfectly complements the couscous and vegetables. This salad is also a great way to use up leftover chicken or fish.

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