Couscous salad
Couscous salads are a relatively new addition to the world of cuisine, but they have quickly become a popular dish among home cooks and professional chefs alike. These salads are typically made with a base of cooked couscous, which is a type of North African pasta made from durum wheat semolina. The couscous is then mixed with a variety of fresh vegetables, herbs, and spices to create a flavorful and healthy salad.
There are many different couscous salad recipes available, but they all share a common origin. The dish is thought to have originated in the Maghreb region of North Africa, which includes present-day Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia. In this region, couscous is a staple food, and it is often served with a stew or soup. The salad version of couscous is thought to have originated as a way to use up leftover couscous and vegetables.
The first couscous salad recipe was published in a French cookbook in 1869, but it was not until the mid-20th century that the dish began to gain popularity outside of North Africa. In the 1960s, Israeli immigrants introduced couscous salad to the United States, and the dish quickly became a popular item
Advice
When making couscous salad, it is important to start with a good-quality couscous. Use Israeli or Moroccan couscous, as they are larger and have a better texture. Once you've chosen your couscous, cook it according to the instructions on the package. Then, add in flavorings such as olive oil, garlic, herbs, and spices. When adding vegetables, use fresh, seasonal produce for the best flavor. Try to include both crunchy vegetables, such as peppers and cucumbers, and sweeter vegetables, such as tomatoes and raisins. Lastly, include a vinaigrette or dressing of your choice to finish off the salad. Enjoy!
Jump to: Ingredient Breakdown Insights
Recipes
Salmon and Couscous Salad With Cucumber-Feta Dressing
- salt
- labneh
- cumin
- persian cucumber
- arugula
- pearl couscou
- feta
- turmeric
- parsley
- mint
- olive oil
- lime
- green onion
- salmon
Couscous Salad With Dried Apricots and Preserved Lemon
- pistachio nut
- lemon juice
- cumin seed
- green onion
- black pepper
- sherry vinegar
- preserved lemon
- dill
- olive oil
- israeli couscou
- apricot
- mint
- salt
Couscous Salad With Turmeric, Chickpea and Tomato
- black pepper
- celery
- chickpea
- onion
- salt
- red wine vinegar
- couscou
- olive oil
- turmeric
- tomato
- feta
- arugula
Cucumber and Israeli Couscous Salad
- salt
- israeli couscou
- green onion
- romaine lettuce heart
- tomato
- mint
- olive oil
- parsley
- cucumber
- lemon juice
Black Bean and Couscous Salad
- salt
- corn
- couscou
- red wine vinegar
- bell pepper
- chicken broth
- cumin
- cilantro
- lime juice
- black bean
- olive oil
- green onion
![/public/love-and-lemons-logo.png](/public/love-and-lemons-logo.png)
Cherry Tomato Couscous Salad
- israeli couscou
- lemon juice
- garlic
- chickpea
- feta
- basil
- persian cucumber
- cherry tomato
- olive oil
- thyme
- salt
Couscous Salad With Dried Cranberries and Pecans
- black pepper
- lemon juice
- salt
- couscou
- sage
- coriander
- cranberry
- parsley
- pecan
- green onion
- olive oil
- cayenne pepper
- carrot
Couscous Salad with Sun Dried Tomato and Feta
- coriander
- vegetable stock powder
- garlic
- onion
- water
- couscou
- coriander
- parsley
- black pepper
- rocket arugula lettuce
- tomato
- chickpea
- lemon juice
- feta
- salt
- lemon zest
Spicy Couscous Salad With Tomatoes, Green Beans and Peppers
- SALAD
- salt
- mint
- pearl couscou
- new potato
- cherry tomato
- romano bean
- olive oil
- sweet bell pepper
- DRESSING
- red fresno chile
- cumin seed
- salt
- turmeric
- olive oil
- caraway seed
- cayenne pepper
- cinnamon
- lemon juice
Israeli Couscous Salad
- water
- dijon mustard
- sugar
- garlic
- vegetable
- salt black pepper
- onion
- olive oil
- cilantro
- dill
- lemon juice
- lemon zest
- olive oil
- cucumber
- israeli couscou
- cherry tomato
- spinach
Vegan Couscous Salad With Chickpeas
- couscou
- dijon mustard
- olive oil
- cucumber
- lemon pepper
- lemon zest
- bell pepper
- black pepper
- green onion
- vegetable broth
- balsamic vinegar
- garbanzo bean
Couscous Salad
- garbanzo bean
- cucumber
- tomato
- onion
- mint
- wheat couscou
- olive oil
- lemons juice
Easy Vegetarian Couscous Salad Recipe
- parsley
- cucumber
- dijon mustard
- coriander
- salt
- chickpeas pre
- lemon juice
- couscou
- garlic
- tomato
- olive oil
- green onion
- black pepper
![/public/family-style-food-logo.webp](/public/family-style-food-logo.webp)
Pearl Couscous Salad with Tomatoes and Feta
- pearl couscou
- jalapeño
- cherry tomato
- garlic
- red chili
- cumin
- onion
- cilantro parsley
- olive oil
- lemon juice
- persian cucumber
- green onion
- feta
- salt
![/public/foodie-crush-logo.png](/public/foodie-crush-logo.png)
Summer Melon Couscous Salad with Avocado, Grapes and Mint
- herbs mint
- mustard
- ginger
- honey
- avocado
- cucumber
- honeydew melon
- olive oil
- green grape
- pearl couscou
- green onion
- salt
- zest
Black Bean & Couscous Salad
- corn
- couscou
- red wine vinegar
- chicken broth
- bell pepper
- black bean
- cumin
- cilantro
- lime juice
- olive oil
- green onion
- salt
Mediterranean Couscous Salad
- english cucumber
- cherry tomato
- onion
- olife
- pepperoncini pepper
- parsley
- pearl couscou
- feta
- Mediterranean Salad Dressing
- lemon
- oregano
- salt
- olive oil
- red wine vinegar
- pepper
- garlic
Couscous Salad
- couscou
- herb
- water
- english cucumber
- chickpea
- bell pepper
- onion
- pine nut
- tomato
- salt
- salt
- lemon juice
- olive oil
- cumin
- garlic
- feta
![/public/the-stay-at-home-chef-logo.webp](/public/the-stay-at-home-chef-logo.webp)
Italian CousCous Salad
- basil
- oregano
- salt
- bell pepper
- onion
- parsley
- garlic powder
- onion powder
- sugar
- cherry tomato
- pepperoncini pepper
- black pepper
- lemon juice
- white vinegar
- olive oil
- couscou
- salami
- black olife
- mozzarella cheese
![/public/cookie-and-kate-logo.png](/public/cookie-and-kate-logo.png)
Mediterranean Couscous Salad
- chickpea
- shallot
- zucchini
- cherry tomato
- yellow squash
- wheat israeli couscou
- salt
- parsley
- olive oil
- pine nut
- kalamata olife
- garlic
- lemon juice
- feta
- black pepper
Couscous Salad with Green Tomatoes, Melon and Black Olives
- Creamy Orange Yogurt Sauce
- black pepper
- sheep milk yogurt
- olive oil
- honey
- salt
- orange
- lemon juice
- Salad
- cantaloupe
- couscou
- cherry
- radish
- sun cured black olife
- salt
- parsley
- orange juice
- water
- green tomato
Cherry Couscous Salad
- salt
- lemon juice
- cherry
- israeli couscou
- oil cured black olife
- tarragon
- olive oil
- pepper
Grilled Peach Couscous Salad
- cherry tomato
- agave nectar
- canola oil
- english cucumber
- lime
- couscou
- salt
- pepper
- onion
- white wine vinegar
- peach
Ingredient Breakdown
Insights
Staple Ingredients
- olive oil 78%
- salt 74%
Common Ingredients
- lemon juice 48%
- green onion 43%
- couscou 39%
Usual Ingredients
- feta 35%
- garlic 35%
- onion 35%
- black pepper 30%
- cherry tomato 30%
- parsley 30%
- cucumber 26%
- tomato 26%
- chickpea 22%
- cumin 22%
- pearl couscou 22%