Mediterranean Couscous with Vegetables (Printable Version)

Fluffy couscous tossed with crisp vegetables and zesty lemon-herb dressing. Ready in 25 minutes.

# What You'll Need:

→ Grains

01 - 1 cup couscous
02 - 1 cup boiling water
03 - 1/2 teaspoon salt

→ Vegetables

04 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
05 - 1 small cucumber, diced
06 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
07 - 1/4 small red onion, finely chopped
08 - 1/4 cup Kalamata olives, pitted and sliced
09 - 1/4 cup feta cheese, crumbled (optional)

→ Herbs

10 - 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
11 - 2 tablespoons fresh mint, chopped

→ Dressing

12 - 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
13 - Juice of 1 lemon
14 - 1 garlic clove, minced
15 - 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
16 - Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

# How to Make It:

01 - Place couscous and salt in a large heatproof bowl. Pour boiling water over couscous, stir, cover, and let sit for 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork and let cool.
02 - In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, oregano, and black pepper to make the dressing.
03 - Add tomatoes, cucumber, bell pepper, red onion, olives, parsley, and mint to the cooled couscous. Toss gently to combine.
04 - Pour the dressing over the salad and toss until well coated.
05 - Add crumbled feta, if using, and toss lightly. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve chilled or at room temperature.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • This salad actually tastes better after sitting for a few hours, making it perfect for meal prep or bringing to gatherings
  • The combination of fresh herbs and zesty dressing makes every bite feel incredibly light and refreshing
02 -
  • Letting the dressed salad sit for at least 30 minutes before serving allows the flavors to meld together beautifully
  • The couscous continues to absorb dressing as it sits, so you may want to reserve a little dressing to refresh leftovers
03 -
  • Use a vegetable chopper to dice all the vegetables to the same size for the most professional presentation
  • Toasting the couscous in a dry pan for 2 minutes before adding water adds a subtle nutty depth

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