Best 5 Tangy Couscous Salad Recipes

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Step into a culinary adventure with this flavor-packed tangy couscous salad, a perfect blend of tanginess, freshness, and wholesome ingredients. This versatile dish is not just a salad; it's a journey through diverse culinary traditions, offering three distinct recipe variations to tantalize your taste buds.

First, embark on a Mediterranean odyssey with the classic tangy couscous salad recipe. Succulent cherry tomatoes, refreshing cucumber, crisp red onion, and aromatic herbs dance together in a tangy lemon-herb dressing, creating a symphony of flavors.

Next, embark on a Moroccan escapade with the spiced couscous salad recipe. Fragrant spices like cumin, coriander, and paprika infuse the couscous with warmth, while roasted vegetables and dried fruit add a delightful sweetness and texture. A drizzle of zesty lemon-tahini dressing brings it all together, creating a harmonious blend of flavors.

Finally, for a vegetarian twist, try the roasted vegetable couscous salad recipe. An array of colorful roasted vegetables, from sweet potatoes to zucchini, are tossed with tender couscous, tangy feta cheese, and a vibrant lemon-herb dressing. This vibrant salad is a feast for both the eyes and the palate.

Whether you're a seasoned cook or a novice in the kitchen, these tangy couscous salad recipes offer something for everyone. So, gather your ingredients, prepare your palate, and let's embark on this culinary expedition together!

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

ISRAELI COUSCOUS SALAD



Israeli Couscous Salad image

Israeli couscous salad with feta, summer vegetables, and lively lemon dressing. Simple, healthy, and perfect for light meals and sides.

Provided by Erin Clarke / Well Plated

Categories     Salad     Side Dish

Time 35m

Number Of Ingredients 13

1 cup whole wheat Israeli couscous (also called pearl couscous)
1 lemon (zested)
3 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice (from about 1 large lemon)
3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
2 cups arugula
1 medium English seedless cucumber (sliced and quartered)
1 pint cherry tomatoes (or grape tomatoes, halved)
1/2 cup crumbled reduced fat feta cheese
1/4 cup lightly packed fresh mint leaves (chopped)

Steps:

  • Bring 1 1/4 cups water to a boil in a medium (2-quart) saucepan. Add the couscous, return to a boil, then cover and reduce the heat to a simmer. Let cook until the liquid is absorbed, about 20 minutes. Fluff with a fork and set aside.
  • In the bottom of a large bowl, whisk together the lemon zest, lemon juice, olive oil, mustard, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Taste and add additional seasoning as desired. While the couscous is still warm, add it to the bowl and toss to coat. Place in the refrigerator for 5-10 minutes to allow the couscous to cool.
  • When ready to serve, add the remaining ingredients: arugula, cucumber, tomatoes, feta, and mint. Toss to combine. Serve cold or at room temperature.

Nutrition Facts : ServingSize 1 (of 4), Calories 319 kcal, Carbohydrate 42 g, Fat 13 g, SaturatedFat 3 g, Cholesterol 5 mg, Fiber 13 g

VIETNAMESE COUSCOUS SALAD



Vietnamese Couscous Salad image

Provided by Food Network

Time 40m

Yield 4 to 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 21

1 garlic clove, minced
1 teaspoon minced gingerroot
6 tablespoons fresh lime juice
3 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons peanut oil
2 tablespoons nuoc mam (Southeast Asian fish sauce, available at Asian markets)
1 teaspoon hot pepper flakes
1 1/3 cups boiling water
1 extra-large fish bouillon cubes (available at Asian markets)
1 tablespoon peanut oil
1 cup couscous
20 sprigs fresh cilantro, finely chopped (about 2 tablespoons)
30 fresh mint leaves, finely chopped (about 2 tablespoons)
1/2 cup (about 4 ounces) salted, dry-roasted peanuts, coarsely chopped
2 medium carrots, peeled and shredded
1 medium cucumber, peeled, seeded, and shredded
6 green onions, green tops included, finely sliced
1/2 head Napa cabbage, finely shredded
8 ounces medium shrimp, cooked and coarsely chopped, see note*
Fresh cilantro leaves, for garnish
Fresh mint leaves, for garnish

Steps:

  • To make dressing: In a pint jar, combine the garlic, gingerroot, lime juice, sugar, peanut oil, nuoc mam, and hot pepper flakes, if using. Shake well. Set aside.
  • To make the salad: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, bring the water, bouillon cube, and peanut oil to a boil. Add the couscous in a stream. Remove from the heat. Stir once. Cover and let stand until the couscous is tender, 12 to 15 minutes. Set aside to cool. Mix with half of the cilantro, half of the mint, and half of the peanuts.
  • In a large bowl, combine the carrots, cucumber, onions, cabbage, and remaining cilantro and mint. Add the dressing and toss thoroughly.
  • Spoon equal portions of couscous onto 6 dinner plates. Top with the vegetable mixture and the shrimp. Garnish with remaining peanuts, cilantro, and mint leaves. Serve at room temperature.
  • Cook's Note: To cook the shrimp, rinse them under running water. In a medium saucepan, bring 4 cups water and 2 bay leaves to a boil. Add the shrimp, and cook until they are just pink, 4 to 5 minutes. Drain and let cool. Discard the cooking liquid and bay leaves. Shell and devein the shrimp.

TANGY CHICKEN COUSCOUS SALAD



Tangy Chicken Couscous Salad image

This light and tasty chicken couscous salad is perfect for summer. And it's quick to make, giving you more time to enjoy the sunshine!

Provided by English_Rose

Categories     Lunch/Snacks

Time 20m

Yield 4 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 8

10 ounces couscous
6 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
1 zucchini, finely diced
1 red pepper, cored and finely diced
4 scallions, finely chopped
5 ounces dried apricots, finely diced (optional)
2 tomatoes, finely chopped
4 chicken breasts, cooked and cut into strips

Steps:

  • Place the couscous in a large bowl and pour over the Worcestershire sauce.
  • Add 1 1/4 cups of boiling water from the kettle, mix well, then add the remaining ingredients except the chicken.
  • Cover the mixture and leave in a cool place for at least 15 minutes.
  • Stir in the cooked chicken and serve.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 564.4, Fat 14.2, SaturatedFat 4, Cholesterol 92.8, Sodium 359.3, Carbohydrate 66.8, Fiber 5.8, Sugar 6.6, Protein 41

GIANT COUSCOUS SALAD WITH CHARRED VEG & TANGY PESTO



Giant couscous salad with charred veg & tangy pesto image

The beetroot here is rich in folate, iron, manganese and potassium and a chemical called betalain, which has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Beetroot is also rich in nitrates, which may help lower blood pressure and improve athletic performance

Provided by Good Food team

Categories     Dinner, Lunch

Time 1h15m

Number Of Ingredients 14

2-3 raw beetroot (320g), peeled and chopped
3 red onions (320g), cut into wedges
2 green or orange peppers, deseeded and cubed
1 tbsp olive oil
320g cherry tomatoes
200g wholewheat giant couscous
7g fresh coriander, roughly chopped
15g flat-leaf parsley, roughly chopped
1 garlic clove
1 green chilli, deseeded
½ tsp cumin
1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
1 tbsp olive oil
40g pine nuts, lightly toasted

Steps:

  • Heat the oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. In a bowl, toss the beetroot, onions and peppers together with the oil, then spread out on a large roasting tray lined with baking paper and roast for 35 mins. Scatter over the cherry tomatoes, then return to the oven for 10 mins more until the tomatoes have softened and the vegetables are tender.
  • Meanwhile, cook the couscous following pack instructions, then rinse and drain. To make the pesto, put the coriander and half the parsley in a bowl with the garlic, chilli, cumin, vinegar, oil and 25g of the pine nuts. Add 2 tbsp water, then blitz with a hand blender until smooth or use a small food processor.
  • Toss the roasted veg and chopped parsley through the couscous and pile on the pesto, then scatter with the remaining pine nuts. If you're following the Healthy Diet Plan, serve half of the salad immediately then chill the rest for another day.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 461 calories, Fat 15 grams fat, SaturatedFat 2 grams saturated fat, Carbohydrate 62 grams carbohydrates, Sugar 16 grams sugar, Fiber 10 grams fiber, Protein 16 grams protein, Sodium 0.2 milligram of sodium

TANGY COUSCOUS SALAD



Tangy Couscous Salad image

Throw together a deliciously tangy and superhealthy couscous salad in just 10 minutes. You can use roasted red peppers in place of the zucchini and add some chickpeas if you want it to go further! From BBC Good Food Magazine.

Provided by English_Rose

Categories     Lunch/Snacks

Time 10m

Yield 4 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 6

10 ounces couscous
2 zucchini
1 tablespoon olive oil
3 1/2 ounces feta cheese, crumbled
1 ounce parsley, chopped
1 lemon, juice

Steps:

  • Cook the couscous in vegetable broth according to pack instructions. Trim the ends off the zucchini, then cut into slices.
  • Heat a griddle pan or broiler. Drizzle the zucchini slices with oil, then season. Cook for 2 mins, then turn over and cook 1-2 mins more until softened and golden brown. Tip into a large bowl along with the cooked couscous, then mix through the remaining ingredients. Serve at room temperature.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 389.4, Fat 9.7, SaturatedFat 4.5, Cholesterol 23.4, Sodium 315.2, Carbohydrate 62.6, Fiber 6.1, Sugar 2.8, Protein 14.5

Tips:

  • To make the most flavorful salad, use fresh, high-quality ingredients.
  • Feel free to experiment with different vegetables, herbs, and spices to create your own unique salad.
  • If you don't have any lemon on hand, you can use lime or orange juice instead.
  • For a vegan version of the salad, omit the feta cheese.
  • Serve the salad immediately or chill it for later.

Conclusion:

This tangy couscous salad is a delicious and refreshing dish that's perfect for summer potlucks, picnics, or light lunches. It's packed with fresh vegetables, herbs, and spices, and the tangy dressing adds a delightful burst of flavor. Plus, it's easy to make and can be tailored to your own preferences. So next time you're looking for a healthy and satisfying salad, give this tangy couscous salad a try. You won't be disappointed!

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