Make this Super Simple Couscous Salad this Week

Couscous is an easy grain to prep quickly AND it makes a fantastic base to all kinds of cold salads. Make this super simple Couscous Salad this week!

Salad season is upon us! While I love hearty stews and filling potato dishes, the approach of abundant sunshine and warmer weather makes me crave fresh vegetables and lighter fare.

At the same time, I have five men in the family to feed. I need to serve something with substance.

Summer also beckons me outside. I’d rather take the kids to the beach or dine al fresco. Who wants to spend time in the kitchen cooking?

Who wants to blow the budget eating out, though, either?

You want a quick fix? Me, too.

Thankfully, there are quite a few great meals, ones with substance even, that can be made quickly and easily and made for take away at the same time.

This Super Simple Couscous Salad is one of them.

Super Simple Couscous Salad – Perfect for Summer

Couscous, made of spherical little pasta bits, is a perfect answer to that dilemma. One of the easiest side dishes for me to pull together, couscous takes about six minutes from start to finish. What’s easier than that?

While couscous goes great with stews and sautes, soaking up all the yummy juices, it does just as well dressed up as a salad.

And this Couscous Salad?

This salad is amazing. The first time I made it, my husband kept going back for more, evidence that it is a winner. Subsequent batches didn’t last long, either.

The citrus juice is bright and the cilantro zesty, making it a perfect match for grilled meats on a warm night or to make a lunchtime salad a little more substantial.

And if you’re one of those people for whom cilantro tastes like soap, feel free to substitute fresh basil or parsley instead. It will be a delicious salad either way!

What is Couscous Salad made of?

Similar to a pasta salad, Couscous Salad can be made several different ways. It starts with a base of cooked couscous. You can add spices, a vinaigrette style dressing, fresh herbs, olives, dried fruit, beans, and fresh vegetables.

There are two types of couscous: small Moroccan-style couscous and the larger, pearl or Israeli couscous. I love this Israeli Couscous Salad with Grilled Vegetables.

How long does Couscous Salad last in the fridge?

Couscous Salad is good in the fridge for up to 4 days, stored in an airtight container, making it the perfect candidate for meal prep.

The salad may absorb the dressing over time, so add a bit more before serving to make sure it’s not dry.

Can you freeze couscous salad?

You can freeze cooked couscous, however, couscous salad ingredients may not freeze well. Since it’s so quick and easy to make it, I recommend making it fresh and eating it up within 4 days.

How do you make Couscous Salad?

It’s super simple to make Couscous Salad. Follow this four-step process:

1. Cook the couscous in water or broth. Fluff it with a fork.
2. Add your mix-in’s, such as beans, vegetables, herbs, fruits, and olives.
3. Drizzle on a dressing.
4. Toss well to combine. Adjust seasonings and serve.

Couscous Salad can be served on its own or alongside other salads or as a side dish to grilled meats. It makes a great meal prep dish for packing lunches.

Is couscous healthier than pasta?

Couscous is simply very tiny pasta. However, having served both pasta and couscous salads, I can testify that couscous tends to be more filling. The small size is very deceptive, making it a smart choice for portion control. You’re probably not going to be able to eat three bowls of couscous, whereas you might do that with pasta salad.

Whole wheat couscous is available which makes it a nice whole grain option. 

How to save money making this recipe:

Here are some of the strategies I use to make this recipe more economical:

• Shop at the right stores. Not all stores are created equal. Some charge more than others, so you need to choose wisely. Compare prices on couscous and buy it where it’s offered at the best price.
• Stock up on ingredients when they are on sale. When you see a great price on couscous, stock up and buy a few extra boxes to keep on hand. Storing them in the freezer will extend their shelf life.
• Use spices instead of chicken broth. While chicken broth adds great flavor, it’s extra. Couscous is just as tasty made with water or with some spices added in.
• Make your own chicken stock. Chicken stock is incredibly easy to make and is practically free when you make it from the leftovers of a rotisserie chicken or the next time you roast a chicken.

Tools you might need to make this recipe easy:

This is a pretty straight-forward dish. You don’t need any fancy equipment. However, having some good basic kitchen tools can really make your time in the kitchen more enjoyable. Over time, I’ve honed my collection so that they are perfect for my needs. Here are the tools that I like to use in this recipe.

• electric hot water kettle 
• liquid measuring cup
• dry measuring cup
• Pyrex glass dishes with lids

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Couscous Salad

Prep Time

10 mins

Cook Time

5 mins

Total Time

15 mins

 

Couscous is an easy grain to prep quickly AND it makes a fantastic base to all kinds of cold salads. Make this super simple Couscous Salad this week!

Course: Main Course, Salad, Side Dish

Cuisine: Mediterranean

Keyword: couscous, couscous salad, Moroccan couscous

Servings: 4

Calories: 314 kcal

Author: Jessica Fisher

Ingredients

• 1 cup dry couscous
• 1 1/4 cup hot water or chicken broth
• 2 Tablespoons lime juice
• 2 Tablespoons olive oil
• 1 cup garbanzo beans
• 1/2 cup chopped red bell pepper
• 1/4 cup sliced Greek olives or other black olives
• 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
• 1/4 cup chopped green onion
• salt and pepper

Instructions

1. Place the hot water or chicken broth in a heatproof bowl. Add the couscous and stir to combine.
2. Cover the dish completely with a lid or plate to allow it to “cook”. Let sit for 5 minutes.
3. Remove the lid and fluff couscous with a fork.
4. Add the remaining ingredients and season with salt and pepper. Toss the ingredients lightly to combine.

Recipe Notes

Store the Couscous Salad in a covered dish in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

Nutrition Facts

Couscous Salad

Amount Per Serving

Calories 314 Calories from Fat 90

% Daily Value*

Fat 10g15%

Saturated Fat 1g6%

Sodium 141mg6%

Potassium 248mg7%

Carbohydrates 47g16%

Fiber 6g25%

Sugar 3g3%

Protein 10g20%

Vitamin A 746IU15%

Vitamin C 28mg34%

Calcium 39mg4%

Iron 2mg11%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Make Meal Prep a Habit.

In order to save money and really make the most of meal prep, you need to have an arsenal of packable lunch ideas. I say lunch, but these meals really double for dinner as well, Couscous Salad included.

And they beat take-out any day of the week.

I’ve put together this quick and easy printable guide to help you meal meal prep more of a habit. Here’s just a peek:

Print out this idea generator and tack it somewhere easily seen in your kitchen. The next time you’re planning your meal prep, bring it out and let it provide all the inspiration you need to choose and plan for great packable lunches.

Bonus: all the recipes can be found here on Good Cheap Eats.

Drop your email address here and I’ll send the printable straight to your inbox.

And if you want a little more help with meal prep?

Subscribe to the Kitchen Winner Meal Plans!

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With 35+ weekly plans, the Kitchen Winner Meal Plans provide 7 full menus complete with recipes, as well as the grocery list and meal prep checklist to help you bring meal planning dreams to meal prep reality.

When you subscribe, you’ll get instant access to all the plans available, with more being added each month. It’s a great way to have your meal prep and eat it, too.

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