5 from 147 votes
Mediterranean Pearl Couscous Salad
This Mediterranean Pearl Couscous Salad combines toasted pearl couscous with fresh diced cucumber, cherry tomatoes, kalamata olives, and red onion for a refreshing, textured salad. The nutty couscous base and briny olives contrast with crisp vegetables, making it a bright side dish or light meal. The recipe highlights simple ingredients prepared to emphasize their natural flavors in a cool, easy-to-serve salad.
Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
Total Time
20 mins
Servings:
4
servings
Calories:
378 kcal
Course:
Lunch
Cuisine:
Middle Eastern
Ingredients
- 2 cups pearl couscous uncooked, aka Israeli couscous
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 cups vegetable broth
- ¼ of a small red onion finely diced
- 10 kalamata olives halved, Greek, pitted, or pimento-stuffed olives
- ½ cucumber diced
- ½ cup cherry tomato
Instructions
- In a medium pot over medium-high heat, stir couscous and olive oil until it’s lightly browned. Add the vegetable broth, bring to a boil, cover, and let simmer for 10 minutes.
- Once the couscous has cooled, stir in the onion, olives, cucumber, and tomatoes.
Cup of Yum
Notes
- Use fresh, seasonal vegetables to enhance flavor, as few ingredients allow their qualities to stand out.
- Consider soaking diced red onion in ice water for 10-15 minutes to mellow its sharpness before adding.
- Chill the salad quickly by placing cooked pearl couscous in the freezer for 10 minutes; set a timer to avoid overfreezing.
- Prepare the couscous several hours or the night before for ease in assembling the salad.
- Fresh lemon juice and parsley can be added for additional flavor and brightness.
- Utilize a mandoline or food chopper to speed up vegetable preparation.
Nutrition Information
Calories
378kcal
(19%)
Carbohydrates
70g
(23%)
Protein
11g
(22%)
Fat
5g
(8%)
Saturated Fat
1g
(5%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
1g
(6%)
Monounsaturated Fat
3g
(15%)
Sodium
587mg
(24%)
Potassium
243mg
(5%)
Fiber
5g
(20%)
Sugar
2g
(4%)
Vitamin A
393IU
(8%)
Vitamin C
6mg
(7%)
Calcium
33mg
(3%)
Iron
1mg
(6%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 4 servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 378
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 378kcal | 19% |
| Carbohydrates | 70g | 23% |
| Protein | 11g | 22% |
| Fat | 5g | 8% |
| Saturated Fat | 1g | 5% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1g | 6% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 3g | 15% |
| Sodium | 587mg | 24% |
| Potassium | 243mg | 5% |
| Fiber | 5g | 20% |
| Sugar | 2g | 4% |
| Vitamin A | 393IU | 8% |
| Vitamin C | 6mg | 7% |
| Calcium | 33mg | 3% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.