Greek Couscous Salad is a bright, vibrant, and healthy dish that can be ready in 20 minutes with a handful of simple ingredients including tomatoes, cucumbers, feta, and Homemade Greek Salad Dressing. This versatile recipe can be served as a vegetarian meal or a side dish.
Greek Couscous Salad
Greek Couscous Salad is a delightful dish. It's colorful, texture rich, and full of flavor from a zesty Homemade Greek Salad Dressing. The little bites of salty feta pair perfectly with the chopped pepperoncini and crunchy cucumber. It's a texture and flavor explosion in a surprisingly simple package.
This light and healthy vegetarian recipe can be served all on its own a hearty plant-based main course OR as a side dish for any other dishes. The recipe can also be doubled for a party and served as a potluck that I promise will disappear. It's the perfect way to celebrate spring.
You'll love how versatile this recipe is and how much your family will love it. If you want to eat a more, plant-based Mediterranea style diet, this Greek Couscous Salad is the perfect place to start.
Greek Couscous Salad - light and healthy dinner idea! Share on X
Why You'll Love This Greek Couscous Salad...
- Greek Couscous Salad is the perfect way to eat the rainbow.
- It's super nutritious with so many different vegetables. This is such an
- It's super filling for a vegetarian meal.
- You can make it in less than 20 minutes.
- It uses easy-to-find, budget-friendly ingredients.
What is couscous?
If you aren't familiar with couscous yet, it's actually a type of small pasta grain made of semolina and shaped into tiny balls. It's common in Middle Eastern and African cuisine. It cooks fast and it is hearty and healthy. It's a high-fiber food with folic acid, manganese, and potassium. It's also packed with selenium, which helps with heart health.
There are generally two types that you may see in the store: Moroccan couscous and Israeli couscous. Moroccan couscous is made of super small grain-like balls about the size of a grain of cornmeal. Israeli couscous (sometimes called Pearl Couscous) is a bit larger. That's what is shown in these photos. I made this Greek Couscous recipe with Israeli Couscous, but you can use it either.
How to cook couscous:
Couscous is surprisingly simple to cook, much like pasta. You boil salted water and then put the couscous into the pot. Cover the pot and turn down the stove to low and let simmer until the water is absorbed usually around 10 minutes. The amount of water you use can vary from brand to brand, so I recommend following the package instructions for cooking your couscous.
After cooking your couscous remove the lid and fluff it with a fork.
Ingredients:
- Couscous: For my Greek Couscous Salad I used Israel or Pearl Couscous, but you can use your favorite time. Cook it according to package instructions with salted water. Don't add any butter or anything to it. Allow it to cool before tossing the rest of the ingredients into the salad.
- Cherry Tomatoes: I used cherry tomatoes and cut them in half. You can use whatever kind of tomatoes is fresh, but just chop it into bite-sized pieces.
- Cucumber: I like the use the mini or Lebanese cucumbers because the skin isn't as tough. To prep, slice the cucumber into half-moons.
- Red Onion: You'll want to use a red or purple onion for this recipe, not a white one. A white one will be too overpowering.
- Peperoncini: Peperonchini's are a classic greek flavor and I love how they pair with this salad. Slice them up to prepare them for this salad. If you don't like them, you can easily leave them out. I love the flavor though!
- Kalamata Olives: Olives seems to be very divisive. If you like olives, put them in, and if you don't just leave them out. The salad is delicious either way.
- Feta Cheese: I like to buy the block of feta cheese and cube it up for this recipe because of the better texture and flavor HOWEVER if you are short on time, substitute the pre-crumbled feta. Either way works.
- Greek Dressing: You need a good Greek Salad Dressing to really bring out the flavors in this Greek Couscous Salad. I like to make my own with my Healthy & Homemade Greek Salad Dressing or buy this Greek Salad Dressing.
- Lemon: I like to add a squeeze of fresh lemon at the end, especially if I used a bottled dressing. It really brightens it up. If you make your own dressing, you might not need it.
- Garnish: Add fresh herbs like parsley or basil at the end for a garnish.
- Salt and Pepper
Instructions:
- Cook the Israel couscous according to package instructions. Fluff with a fork and allow it to cool to at least room temperature.
- Once cooled, toss the couscous with the tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, pepperoncini, and feta.
- Pour the dressing onto the salad and toss with the Greek Salad Dressing and add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice.
- Add salt and pepper to taste.
- Garnish with fresh herbs.
Variations
- Make it Dairy Free: You can easily make this Greek Couscous Salad vegan or dairy-free by leaving off the feta or substituting a vegan cheese.
- Mix up the Grain: Any rice, pasta or grain would work here! Make this dish gluten-free by substituting quinoa.
- Use Different Veggies: The possibilities are endless with the different vegetables you could use! Simple add ons include bell pepper, radishes, blanched asparagus, or even roasted broccoli.
- Make it Nutty: Add your favorite nuts! Pine nuts or chopped almonds would be delicious.
- Add Beans: For even more plant-based protein you could add chickpeas - garbanzo beans.
- Different Dressing: You could also mix up the dressing! Any olive oil dressing like a Red Wine Vinegar Vinaigrette, Basil Vinaigrette, or Italian Dressing would also be delish.
- Make it Garlic-y: If you love garlic you could add some fresh garlic or some garlic powder.
FAQ
How do you store leftovers?
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to five days. Leftovers are wonderful served chilled.
Can I make this for meal prep?
YES! This recipe is delicious for making ahead. Make one recipe and divide it into four containers for lunch during the week. Store in your favorite meal prep containers.
Why is my couscous sticky?
If you don't get the correct portion of water to the couscous, your couscous can be sticky. Be sure to follow the instructions on your package.
What do I serve with Couscous Salad?
I actually love to serve this Greek Couscous Salad as a completely vegetarian dinner! It's super delicious and filling. If I'm craving some extra greens, I'll put it on a bed of greens.
It is also delicious as a side dish though. Here are some delicious recipes to round out the plate.
Make it a Meal:
- Grilled Portobello Mushroom Steak
- Grilled Shrimp Skewers
- Salmon with Greek Yogurt Dill Sauce
- Mediterranean Roasted Vegetables
- Blackened Mahi Mahi
- Four Cheese Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms
- Grilled Chicken
Greek Couscous Salad - light and healthy dinner idea! Share on X
More Mediterranean & Greek Salads to Love:
- Mediterranean Chopped Salad
- Greek Tortellini Pasta Salad
- Mediterranean Chickpea Salad with Feta
- Mediterranean Quinoa Salad
- Mediterranean Buddha Bowl
If you make this Greek Couscous Salad, I’d love to hear what you think! Leave a comment and a star rating ★ below. Make sure to follow me on Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook too!
Greek Couscous Salad
Ingredients
- 1 cup Israel couscous, cooked according to package instructions
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes
- 1 cup cucumber, sliced
- ½ cup red onion
- ½ cup pepperoncini
- ¼ cup kalamata olives, optional
- 1 cup feta cheese, diced or crumbled
- ¼ cup Greek dressing
- 1 lemon, juiced
- Optional garnish: fresh parsley or basil
Instructions
- Cook the Israel couscous according to package instructions. Allow it to cool to at least room temperature.
- Once cooled, toss the couscous with the tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, pepperoncini, and feta.
- Toss with the dressing and add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice.
- Add salt and pepper to taste.
Notes
Nutrition
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Tisha says
I love a good couscous salad! Perfect for the warm weather coming
Nadalie says
These couscous salad looks really great! Something healthy and new to me so I guess this goes to my to cook list! Thanks for sharing!
Emily Davis says
This is perfect for those hot summer days when I want something light!
Amber Myers says
Oh yum, I will have to try this salad. It looks fabulous!