Nectarine and Chickpea Couscous Salad with Honey Cumin Dressing
Bright, refreshing, and bursting with flavor, this Nectarine and Chickpea Couscous Salad with Honey Cumin Dressing is the perfect blend of vibrant summer ingredients and Mediterranean-inspired flair. Sweet nectarines, crisp cucumber, and crunchy red bell pepper mingle with fluffy couscous and protein-packed chickpeas, while fresh mint and parsley add a fragrant herbal touch. The star of the dish is the honey cumin dressing, a zesty blend of olive oil, lemon juice, and warm spices that ties everything together beautifully. Whether served as a light lunch or a colorful side dish, this recipe is as nutritious as it is delicious, with optional crumbled feta for a tangy finish. Quick to prepare and packed with wholesome ingredients, it’s a must-try for anyone seeking easy, flavorful salads that capture the essence of fresh, seasonal dining.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1 cup couscous
- 1 cup vegetable broth
- 2 medium nectarines
- 1 15-ounce can canned chickpeas
- 1 small red bell pepper
- 1 medium cucumber
- 0.25 cup fresh mint leaves
- 0.25 cup fresh parsley
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1.5 tablespoons honey
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 0.5 teaspoon salt
- 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
- 0.5 cup feta cheese (optional)
Instructions
Bring the vegetable broth to a boil in a small saucepan. Remove from heat, add the couscous, and cover. Let it sit for 5 minutes, then fluff with a fork and set aside to cool.
Drain and rinse the canned chickpeas. Set aside.
Wash and dice the nectarines, red bell pepper, and cucumber into bite-sized pieces.
Finely chop the fresh mint leaves and parsley.
In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, honey, ground cumin, lemon juice, salt, and black pepper to make the dressing.
In a large bowl, combine the couscous, chickpeas, nectarines, red bell pepper, cucumber, mint, and parsley. Toss gently to mix.
Drizzle the honey cumin dressing over the salad and toss until evenly coated.
If using, sprinkle crumbled feta cheese on top before serving.
Serve immediately, or refrigerate for up to 2 hours to allow the flavors to meld. Enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
448 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 19.3 g | 25% | |
| Saturated Fat | 6.4 g | 32% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 27 mg | 9% | |
| Sodium | 1044 mg | 45% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 54.1 g | 20% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 9.9 g | 35% | |
| Total Sugars | 18.9 g | ||
| Protein | 15.9 g | 32% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 258 mg | 20% | |
| Iron | 4.7 mg | 26% | |
| Potassium | 687 mg | 15% | |
*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.
