5.0 from 147 votes
Mediterranean Pearl Couscous Salad
This simple Mediterranean pearl couscous salad is bright, delicious, and packed with flavors like olives, tomato, cucumber, and red onions—perfect for serving as a healthy side or main at home, picnics, BBQ, potlucks, and in lunch boxes!
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 of uncooked pearl/Israeli couscous
- 1 tablespoon of olive oil
- 2 cups of vegetable broth
- ¼ of a small red onion finely diced
- 10 Greek pitted kalamata or pimento-stuffed olives halved
- ½ of a cucumber diced
- ½ cup of cherry tomatoes
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
- For more flavor, add lemon juice and fresh parsley as needed.
- To cool quickly, put the cooked pearl couscous in the freezer for 10 minutes. Don’t forget to set a timer!
- To cool quickly, put the cooked pearl couscous in the freezer for 10 minutes. Don’t forget to set a timer!
- For a mellower onion flavor: Soak the onion in ice water for 10-15 minutes before adding it to the couscous salad.
- Prepare couscous in advance: You need to leave it to cool before adding the veggies, so it's best to prepare the night before/several hours in advance.
- For quicker prep: Use a mandoline/food chopper to help chop the veggies.
- Use fresh produce: Since there are so few ingredients in this pearl couscous recipe, we highly recommend using in-season, high-quality veg for the best flavor and texture.
Nutrition Information
Calories
378kcal
(19%)
Carbohydrates
70g
(23%)
Protein
11g
(22%)
Fat
5g
(8%)
Saturated Fat
1g
(5%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
1g
Monounsaturated Fat
3g
Sodium
587mg
(24%)
Potassium
243mg
(7%)
Fiber
5g
(20%)
Sugar
2g
(4%)
Vitamin A
393IU
(8%)
Vitamin C
6mg
(7%)
Calcium
33mg
(3%)
Iron
1mg
(6%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 4servings
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.