This Mediterranean couscous salad is full of grilled greens and tossed in a creamy basil lemon feta dressing. A wholesome, veggie-forward aspect dish or mild 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 straightforward 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
When you’ve got my cookbooks you in all probability understand how a lot I like pearl couscous! My Summer season Pearl Couscous from my first cookbook is an all time favourite! This straightforward grilled vegetable couscous salad is the whole lot I would like in a summer season dish—vivid, hearty, and bursting with taste.
- Nutritious: Filled with 6 colourful veggies–a tasty strategy to eat the rainbow!
- Versatile: It really works superbly as a lightweight lunch, a satisfying vegetarian dinner, or a colourful aspect for something off the grill.
- Good for Meal Prep: The flavors proceed to deepen because the veggies and couscous absorb the dressing.
- Feeds a Crowd: The recipe makes quite a bit, 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 this Mediterranean Meatball Bowl or this Lemon Asparagus Couscous Salad.
Elements You’ll Want
Listed below are the Mediterranean couscous salad elements. See the recipe card beneath for the precise measurements.
- Pearl Couscous, also referred to as Israeli couscous comprised 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 equivalent 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.
The right way to Make Pearl Couscous Salad
Listed below are the step-by-step directions for this straightforward 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 a number of occasions. Take away them from the grill and allow them to cool.
- Prepare 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 cook 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.
- Frivolously oil the grill to stop 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 by way of 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: In the event you don’t like one of many veggies or are lacking one, use further of one other, or substitute it with asparagus, shallots or tomatoes. (You possibly can grill the tomatoes or cube them and add them uncooked.)
- Pearl Couscous Swaps: Orzo is the very best substitute, however any small-shaped pasta would work.
- Gluten-Free Choices: If you’ll 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 gained’t be as creamy, but it surely’ll nonetheless be delish.
- Olives: Add sliced kalamata or Castelvetrano olives (or capers) for a tangy chunk.
- Make It a Important 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? Prepare dinner the veggies on a grill pan in your range or underneath the broiler. To broil, place the greens on a foil-lined sheet pan and broil for about 5 minutes. Regulate 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 might be paired with absolutely anything you’re grilling. After the veggies are finished, throw on some protein and let it cook dinner whilst you end making the salad. Listed below are some predominant dish concepts:
In the event you’re internet hosting a summer season occasion, my Creamy Cucumber Salad, Rainbow Potato Salad, or Watermelon Feta Salad would spherical out the meal.
It could even be an important vegetarian entrée if you happen to enhance the portion measurement.
Storage and Meal Prep Ideas
- Make Forward: In the event you’re serving this salad at a celebration, you can also make it as much as 1 day early to present 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 possibly can eat it chilly or let it sit out on the counter for 15 to half-hour to carry it to room temperature.
Extra Summer season 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!
In the event you make this Mediterranean couscous salad recipe, I’d like to see it. Tag me in your photographs or movies on Instagram, TikTok, or Fb! And remember to be a part of the Skinnytaste Neighborhood to see what everybody’s cooking!
Yield: 6 servings
Serving Measurement: 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. Prepare 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 reduce 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 frivolously oil the grates. Switch the veggies to the grill in an excellent layer. Prepare dinner, flipping a number of occasions, till smooth 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, reduce them into bite-size items and add them to a mixing bowl. Add the couscous and dressing and toss to mix. Finest served heat or room temperature.
Final Step:
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Variations:
- Greens: In the event you don’t like one of many veggies or are lacking one, use further of one other, or substitute it with asparagus, shallots or tomatoes. (You possibly can grill the tomatoes or cube them and add them uncooked.)
- Pearl Couscous Swaps: Orzo is the very best substitute, however any small-shaped pasta would work.
- Gluten-Free Choices: If you’ll 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 gained’t be as creamy, but it surely’ll nonetheless be delish.
- Make It a Important 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? Prepare dinner the veggies on a grill pan in your range or underneath the broiler. To broil, place the greens on a foil-lined sheet pan and broil for about 5 minutes. Regulate 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