This Mediterranean couscous salad is filled with grilled greens and tossed in a creamy basil lemon feta dressing. A wholesome, veggie-forward aspect dish or gentle lunch.
Grilled Vegetable Couscous Salad
Largely grilled veggies, this Mediterranean couscous salad is tossed in a creamy basil lemon feta dressing. I like loading up my pasta salads with grilled greens like I did with right here on this grilled vegetable orzo salad. Right here, pearl couscous offers a chewy, nutty base to this salad that’s tossed with an array of grilled greens, like zucchini, squash, bell peppers, mushrooms, and purple onion. Like my orzo salad, it’s simple to prep forward, scrumptious heat or chilly, and works for lunch, dinner, or as a standout aspect at your subsequent cookout.
Why This Couscous Salad Works
In case you have my cookbooks you in all probability understand how a lot I like pearl couscous! My Summer time Pearl Couscous from my first cookbook is an all time favourite! This straightforward grilled vegetable couscous salad is all the things I need in a summer time dish—vibrant, hearty, and bursting with taste.
- Nutritious: Full of 6 colourful veggies–a tasty solution to eat the rainbow!
- Versatile: It really works fantastically as a lightweight lunch, a satisfying vegetarian dinner, or a colourful aspect for something off the grill.
- Excellent for Meal Prep: The flavors proceed to deepen because the veggies and couscous take in the dressing.
- Feeds a Crowd: The recipe makes lots, so it’s nice for serving at a celebration.
- Dietary Restrictions: This veggie-forward aspect dish is Weight Watchers-friendly, vegetarian, Mediterranean diet-friendly, and anti-inflammatory.
Extra recipes utilizing Pearl Couscous do that Mediterranean Meatball Bowl or this Lemon Asparagus Couscous Salad.
Components You’ll Want
Listed here are the Mediterranean couscous salad elements. See the recipe card under for the precise measurements.
- Pearl Couscous, also called Israeli couscous made out of wheat flour, is a small, spherical pasta with a chewy texture and nutty taste. Orzo pasta can be utilized as an alternative right here.
- Greens: I used zucchini, yellow squash, purple bell pepper, poblano pepper, purple onion, and mushrooms. Swap any greens in akin to tomatoes, eggplant or asparagus.
- Olive Oil, Salt, and Pepper: Toss with the veggies earlier than you grill them.
- Lemon Basil Feta Dressing: Olive oil, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, onion powder, feta, basil, water, salt, and pepper. Purchase a block of feta, not pre-crumbled–it has a creamier texture.
Make Pearl Couscous Salad
Listed here are the step-by-step directions for this simple couscous salad. See the recipe card on the backside for printable instructions.
- Season the sliced greens with olive oil, salt, and pepper.
- Grill the Greens: Grill the greens on oiled grates about 8 to 10 minutes, flipping just a few occasions. Take away them from the grill and allow them to cool.
- Cook dinner the Pearl Couscous: Deliver water and salt to a boil, then stir within the couscous. Scale back the warmth to low, cowl the pot, and prepare dinner for 12 minutes. Flip off the range and partially take away the lid to let the steam escape.
- Make the Dressing by including all of the dressing elements to a mini meals processor or blender. Mix till mixed.
- End the Salad: Reduce the cooled greens into bite-size items and put them in a big bowl. Add the couscous and dressing and toss. Serve the dish heat or at room temperature.
Ideas for Grilling Greens Completely
- Reduce evenly. Slice the veggies into uniform sizes to make sure even cooking.
- Calmly oil the grill to forestall the greens from sticking to it. As soon as the grill is heated, pour avocado oil onto paper towels and rub them over the grates.
- Don’t let the veggies slip via the cracks. Lay the lengthy slices perpendicular to the grates. For the mushrooms and onions, use a grill pan or thread them onto skewers to make flipping simpler.
Variations and Substitutions
- Greens: If you happen to don’t like one of many veggies or are lacking one, use additional of one other, or exchange it with asparagus, shallots or tomatoes. (You may grill the tomatoes or cube them and add them uncooked.)
- Pearl Couscous Swaps: Orzo is the perfect substitute, however any small-shaped pasta would work.
- Gluten-Free Choices: If you could find it, substitute gluten-free pearl couscous. You may as well use gluten-free orzo or quinoa.
- Dairy-Free and Vegan: Omit the feta. The dressing received’t be as creamy, nevertheless it’ll nonetheless be delish.
- Olives: Add sliced kalamata or Castelvetrano olives (or capers) for a tangy chew.
- Make It a Essential Dish: Add diced grilled rooster or grilled shrimp so as to add protein. To maintain it vegetarian, add a can of drained and rinsed chickpeas for some plant-based protein.
- No grill? Cook dinner the veggies on a grill pan in your range or beneath the broiler. To broil, place the greens on a foil-lined sheet pan and broil for about 5 minutes. Control them as a result of it doesn’t take lengthy for them to go from completely cooked to burned.
What to Serve with Couscous Salad
This vegetable couscous salad will be paired with absolutely anything you’re grilling. After the veggies are completed, throw on some protein and let it prepare dinner whilst you end making the salad. Listed here are some important dish concepts:
If you happen to’re internet hosting a summer time get together, my Creamy Cucumber Salad, Rainbow Potato Salad, or Watermelon Feta Salad would spherical out the meal.
It might even be an excellent vegetarian entrée when you enhance the portion measurement.
Storage and Meal Prep Ideas
- Make Forward: If you happen to’re serving this salad at a celebration, you can also make it as much as 1 day early to offer the flavors time to meld. Cowl and refrigerate the dish; then toss the salad earlier than serving to redistribute the dressing.
- Storage: Refrigerate couscous salad in an hermetic container for as much as 5 days.
- Meal Prep: Because it lasts so lengthy within the fridge, it’s wonderful for meal prep. If the pasta soaks up an excessive amount of of the dressing, add a splash of olive oil or lemon juice earlier than consuming. You may eat it chilly or let it sit out on the counter for 15 to half-hour to convey it to room temperature.
Extra Summer time Pasta Salads You’ll Love
For extra aspect dish concepts, take a look at these 5 scrumptious pasta salad recipes to encourage your subsequent meal!
If you happen to make this Mediterranean couscous salad recipe, I might like to see it. Tag me in your images or movies on Instagram, TikTok, or Fb! And make sure you be part of the Skinnytaste Neighborhood to see what everybody’s cooking!
Yield: 6 servings
Serving Dimension: 3 /4 cup (beneficiant)
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In a medium saucepan, mix 1 ½ cups of water and ¼ teaspoon kosher salt and produce to a boil. As soon as boiling, stir within the couscous. Scale back the warmth to low and canopy. Cook dinner for 12 minutes. Flip the warmth off, vent the lid, and let sit whilst you prep the remainder of the salad.
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Add the lower veggies to a big mixing bowl. Spray generously with the olive oil spray and season with 1 teaspoon of salt and ¼ teaspoon pepper. Toss to mix.
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Preheat a grill to medium-high warmth and evenly oil the grates. Switch the veggies to the grill in a fair layer. Cook dinner, flipping just a few occasions, till comfortable and properly charred, about 10 minutes. Take away the veggies from the grill and switch the warmth off. Let the greens sit till they’re cool sufficient to deal with.
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Within the meantime, make the dressing. Add the olive oil, lemon juice, dijon mustard, garlic powder, onion powder, feta cheese, basil, and 1 tablespoon of water to a small meals processor. Season with ¼ teaspoon kosher salt and ¼ teaspoon pepper. Mix till evenly mixed. Put aside.
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As soon as the greens are cool sufficient to deal with, lower them into bite-size items and add them to a mixing bowl. Add the couscous and dressing and toss to mix. Greatest served heat or room temperature.
Final Step:
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Variations:
- Greens: If you happen to don’t like one of many veggies or are lacking one, use additional of one other, or exchange it with asparagus, shallots or tomatoes. (You may grill the tomatoes or cube them and add them uncooked.)
- Pearl Couscous Swaps: Orzo is the perfect substitute, however any small-shaped pasta would work.
- Gluten-Free Choices: If you could find it, substitute gluten-free pearl couscous. You may as well use gluten-free orzo or quinoa.
- Dairy-Free and Vegan: Omit the feta. The dressing received’t be as creamy, nevertheless it’ll nonetheless be delish.
- Make It a Essential Dish: Add diced grilled rooster or grilled shrimp so as to add protein. To maintain it vegetarian, add a can of drained and rinsed chickpeas for some plant-based protein.
- No grill? Cook dinner the veggies on a grill pan in your range or beneath the broiler. To broil, place the greens on a foil-lined sheet pan and broil for about 5 minutes. Control them as a result of it doesn’t take lengthy for them to go from completely cooked to burned.
Serving: 3 /4 cup (beneficiant), Energy: 212 kcal, Carbohydrates: 36 g, Protein: 8.5 g, Fats: 4.5 g, Saturated Fats: 1 g, Ldl cholesterol: 5.5 mg, Sodium: 100 mg, Fiber: 5 g, Sugar: 5.5 g
