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- Couscous and Broth - 1 cup couscous - 1 1/4 cups vegetable broth (or water) - Fresh Vegetables - 1 medium cucumber, diced - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved - 1 small red onion, finely chopped - Herbs and Cheese - 1/2 cup fresh parsley, chopped - 1/4 cup fresh mint leaves, chopped - 1/2 cup feta cheese, crumbled (optional) - Dressing Components - Zest and juice of 1 large lemon - 3 tablespoons olive oil - Salt and pepper to taste To start, you need couscous and broth. I like using vegetable broth for extra flavor. It adds a nice depth to the dish. The fresh vegetables bring crunch and color. I use cucumber, cherry tomatoes, and red onion. They all blend well together. Next, the herbs. Fresh parsley and mint brighten the salad. They add a refreshing taste. If you want creaminess, add feta cheese. It’s optional but quite tasty. Finally, for the dressing, you need lemon zest and juice. This gives the salad a zesty kick. Olive oil adds richness. Season with salt and pepper to balance the flavors. Gather these ingredients to make a delightful Lemon Herb Couscous Salad. Enjoy the fresh and vibrant flavors! {{ingredient_image_1}} Cooking the Couscous Start by boiling 1 1/4 cups of vegetable broth or water in a medium saucepan. Once it boils, add 1 cup of couscous. Stir it well, then take the pan off the heat. Cover it and let it sit for 5 minutes. The couscous will absorb all the liquid. Fluff it with a fork and let it cool. Preparing the Vegetables While the couscous cools, chop your veggies. Take a medium cucumber and dice it. Cut 1 cup of cherry tomatoes in half. Finely chop 1 small red onion. In a large bowl, mix the cucumber, tomatoes, and onion. Add 1/2 cup of fresh parsley and 1/4 cup of fresh mint leaves. These herbs give a bright taste. Making the Dressing In a small bowl, zest and juice 1 large lemon. Whisk in 3 tablespoons of olive oil, along with salt and pepper to taste. This dressing adds a fresh and tangy flavor to your salad. Combining Ingredients Once the couscous is cool, add it to the bowl with the veggies. Pour the dressing over everything and mix gently. If you like, fold in 1/2 cup of crumbled feta cheese for extra creaminess. Taste it and adjust the seasoning if needed. Cover the salad and chill it in the fridge for at least 30 minutes. This helps the flavors blend well. How to Fluff Couscous Perfectly To fluff couscous, use a fork. After it sits for five minutes, gently stir. This breaks up clumps and makes it light. Always let it cool before mixing with other ingredients. Best Practices for Vegetable Cutting For even cuts, use a sharp knife. Cut the cucumber and tomatoes into small, bite-sized pieces. A fine chop for the onion adds flavor without being too strong. This helps in blending all flavors nicely. Tips for Making Ahead You can make this salad a day before. Just keep it in the fridge. The flavors get better as they sit. If you add feta, do it right before serving. It stays fresh that way. Presentation Ideas Serve the salad in a large bowl. Add lemon wedges on the side for a pop of color. A drizzle of olive oil just before serving adds shine and flavor. This makes the dish look fancy. Pairing Options This salad goes well with grilled chicken or fish. It also pairs nicely with pita bread or falafel. For a full meal, serve it with a side of hummus. Enjoy the fresh flavors together! Pro Tips Chill for Flavor: Letting the salad sit in the fridge for at least 30 minutes allows the flavors to meld, enhancing the overall taste. Fresh Herbs Matter: Use fresh parsley and mint for the best flavor and aroma; dried herbs won't provide the same freshness. Customizable Add-Ins: Feel free to add ingredients like bell peppers, olives, or chickpeas for extra texture and nutrition. Perfect Cooking Technique: Make sure to fluff the couscous after it cools to prevent clumping and ensure an even distribution in the salad. {{image_2}} Gluten-Free Options If you need a gluten-free choice, use quinoa instead of couscous. Quinoa cooks similarly and adds a nice nutty flavor. Just rinse it well before cooking. Use vegetable broth for the same taste. Vegan Versions To make this salad vegan, skip the feta cheese. You can add avocado for creaminess. Another option is using a sprinkle of nutritional yeast. This gives a cheesy taste without dairy. Adding Protein For extra protein, add chickpeas or grilled chicken. Chickpeas boost fiber and keep the salad filling. If you go for chicken, grill it with lemon zest for flavor. Trying Different Herbs Experiment with herbs to change the taste. Basil or cilantro can add unique notes. Just chop them fine and mix them in with the parsley and mint. This keeps the salad fresh and exciting. To store leftover Lemon Herb Couscous Salad, place it in an airtight container. This keeps the salad fresh. Make sure to seal it well to prevent air from getting in. You can store the salad in the fridge for up to three days. After that, the veggies might lose their crunch. The salad tastes best when you eat it fresh. However, if you have leftovers, they will still be tasty. Just give it a good stir before serving. If you need to add more flavor, a splash of lemon juice can help. Can you freeze couscous salad? I do not recommend freezing it. The texture of the veggies will change. Freezing can make the cucumbers and tomatoes mushy when you thaw them. If you want to save some for later, just store it in the fridge. Enjoy it fresh for the best taste and crunch! Lemon Herb Couscous Salad stays fresh for about three to five days in the fridge. Store it in an airtight container to keep it tasty. The flavors blend well over time, but the veggies are best when fresh. Yes, you can make this salad ahead of time. It’s even better after chilling for a bit. Make it a few hours or a day before your meal. Just keep it in the fridge until you're ready to serve. You can use many herbs in this salad. Basil, cilantro, or dill work great too. Each herb adds a unique flavor, so feel free to mix and match to suit your taste. Couscous is a healthy choice. It is low in fat and high in carbs. Couscous also has some protein and fiber. Pair it with fresh veggies and herbs to boost nutrients. To make more servings, simply double or triple the recipe. Keep the ratios the same. Make sure your bowl is big enough to mix everything well. Adjust the dressing to taste as you increase the amount. This blog post covered the key elements of making a delicious couscous salad. We talked about ingredients like couscous, fresh vegetables, herbs, and a tasty dressing. You learned the step-by-step process, along with helpful tips and serving ideas. Don't forget the many variations and storage options. In conclusion, you now have everything you need to enjoy your own couscous salad. Get creative and have fun with it!

Lemon Herb Couscous Salad

A refreshing salad featuring couscous, fresh vegetables, and a zesty lemon dressing.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Course Salad
Cuisine Mediterranean
Servings 4
Calories 250 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup couscous
  • 1.25 cups vegetable broth (or water)
  • 1 medium cucumber, diced
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 small red onion, finely chopped
  • 0.5 cup fresh parsley, chopped
  • 0.25 cup fresh mint leaves, chopped
  • 0.5 cup feta cheese, crumbled (optional)
  • 1 large lemon, zest and juice
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • to taste salt and pepper

Instructions
 

  • In a medium saucepan, bring the vegetable broth or water to a boil.
  • Once boiling, add the couscous, stir, and remove from heat. Cover and let it sit for about 5 minutes, or until the couscous has absorbed all the liquid. Fluff with a fork and let it cool.
  • While the couscous is cooling, prepare the vegetables. In a large bowl, combine the diced cucumber, halved cherry tomatoes, chopped red onion, parsley, and mint.
  • Add the cooled couscous to the bowl with the veggies.
  • In a small bowl, whisk together the lemon zest, lemon juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Pour this dressing over the couscous salad and mix gently until everything is well combined.
  • If using, fold in the crumbled feta cheese for added creaminess and flavor.
  • Taste and adjust the seasoning if necessary.
  • Cover the salad and let it chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.

Notes

Serve in a large salad bowl with extra lemon wedges on the side for garnish. Drizzle with a little more olive oil just before serving for added shine.
Keyword couscous, herbs, lemon, salad, vegetarian