Lemony Couscous Salad
Bright, zesty, and effortlessly refreshing, this Lemony Couscous Salad is the perfect addition to your table, whether you're hosting a summer gathering or prepping a light, healthy lunch. Fluffy couscous serves as the base, infused with vibrant lemon juice and zest for a citrusy kick. Juicy cherry tomatoes, crisp cucumber, and finely diced red onion add layers of fresh crunch, while crumbled feta cheese and toasted pine nuts provide creamy and nutty notes. Tossed in a simple yet flavorful dressing of olive oil and lemon, and finished with a sprinkle of fresh parsley, this Mediterranean-inspired salad is both satisfying and easy to prepare in just 20 minutes. Serve it chilled for a burst of flavor in every bite! Perfect for vegetarian meals and meal prep, this versatile dish will quickly become a household favorite.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1 cup couscous
- 1.25 cups water
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 0.5 teaspoons salt
- 0.25 teaspoons black pepper
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes
- 1 cucumber
- 0.25 red onion
- 0.25 cup fresh parsley
- 0.5 cup feta cheese
- 2 tablespoons toasted pine nuts
Instructions
In a medium saucepan, bring 1.25 cups of water to a boil. Add 1 tablespoon of olive oil and a pinch of salt.
Remove the saucepan from heat and stir in the couscous. Cover the pan with a lid and let it sit for 5 minutes to allow the couscous to absorb the water.
Fluff the couscous with a fork to separate the grains and transfer it to a large mixing bowl. Allow it to cool to room temperature.
While the couscous cools, prepare the vegetables: halve the cherry tomatoes, dice the cucumber, and finely chop the red onion and parsley.
In a small bowl, whisk together the remaining olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, salt, and black pepper to create the dressing.
Add the tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, parsley, feta cheese, and toasted pine nuts to the cooled couscous.
Drizzle the lemon dressing over the salad and gently toss everything together until well combined.
Taste the salad and adjust seasoning if needed, adding more salt or pepper to suit your preference.
Serve immediately or refrigerate for 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld before serving. Enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
947 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 70.1 g | 90% | |
| Saturated Fat | 17.5 g | 88% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 4.6 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 67 mg | 22% | |
| Sodium | 2371 mg | 103% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 62.0 g | 23% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 7.2 g | 26% | |
| Total Sugars | 10.2 g | ||
| Protein | 22.3 g | 45% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.3 mcg | 2% | |
| Calcium | 485 mg | 37% | |
| Iron | 4.2 mg | 23% | |
| Potassium | 1052 mg | 22% | |
*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.
