Couscous Chickpea Salad
Bright, fresh, and irresistibly flavorful, this Couscous Chickpea Salad is the perfect quick and healthy dish for any occasion. Packed with fluffy couscous, protein-rich chickpeas, and a medley of colorful veggies like crisp cucumbers, juicy cherry tomatoes, and sweet red bell peppers, this salad is as nourishing as it is delicious. A zesty dressing of olive oil, lemon juice, and a dash of cumin ties it all together, while fresh parsley and mint add an herby burst of flavor. Ready in just 20 minutes, this versatile salad works as a light main course, a vibrant side dish, or a meal-prep staple for the week. It’s vegan, packed with wholesome ingredients, and perfect for enjoying chilled or at room temperature.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1 cup couscous
- 1.25 cups hot water
- 1 15-ounce can canned chickpeas (drained and rinsed)
- 1 medium cucumber (diced)
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes (halved)
- 1 medium red bell pepper (diced)
- 0.25 cup red onion (finely chopped)
- 0.25 cup fresh parsley (chopped)
- 2 tablespoons fresh mint (chopped)
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 tablespoons lemon juice
- 0.5 teaspoon ground cumin
- 0.5 teaspoon salt
- 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
In a medium-sized heatproof bowl, combine the couscous with 1.25 cups of hot water. Cover tightly with a lid or plastic wrap and let it sit for 5 minutes to absorb the water.
After 5 minutes, fluff the couscous with a fork to separate the grains and set aside to cool.
While the couscous is cooling, prepare the vegetables by dicing the cucumber, red bell pepper, and red onion, halving the cherry tomatoes, and chopping the parsley and mint.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled couscous, chickpeas, cucumber, cherry tomatoes, red bell pepper, red onion, parsley, and mint.
In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, ground cumin, salt, and black pepper to make the dressing.
Pour the dressing over the couscous and vegetable mixture, and gently toss until everything is evenly coated.
Taste the salad and adjust the seasonings if needed. Add more lemon juice, salt, or pepper to taste.
Serve immediately or refrigerate for 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together before serving.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
1259 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 54.0 g | 69% | |
| Saturated Fat | 7.7 g | 38% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 4.1 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% | |
| Sodium | 2389 mg | 104% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 161.7 g | 59% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 36.5 g | 130% | |
| Total Sugars | 33.0 g | ||
| Protein | 41.0 g | 82% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 490 mg | 38% | |
| Iron | 13.9 mg | 77% | |
| Potassium | 3006 mg | 64% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
