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

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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
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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
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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
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Couscous Salad

  • ​ ​ garbanzo bean
  • cucumber
  • tomato
  • onion
  • ​ ​ mint
  • wheat couscou
  • olive oil
  • lemons juice
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Black Bean & Couscous Salad

  • corn
  • couscou
  • red wine vinegar
  • chicken broth
  • bell pepper
  • black bean
  • cumin
  • cilantro
  • lime juice
  • olive oil
  • green onion
  • salt
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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
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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
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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
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Couscous Salad

  • couscou
  • herb
  • water
  • english cucumber
  • chickpea
  • bell pepper
  • onion
  • pine nut
  • tomato
  • salt
  • salt
  • lemon juice
  • olive oil
  • cumin
  • garlic
  • feta
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Cherry Couscous Salad

  • salt
  • lemon juice
  • cherry
  • israeli couscou
  • oil cured black olife
  • tarragon
  • olive oil
  • pepper

Ingredient Breakdown

 
salt
olive oil
lemon juice
couscou
green onion
parsley
black pepper
onion
feta
garlic
cherry tomato
tomato
cucumber
cumin
pearl couscou
israeli couscou
chickpea
bell pepper
mint
red wine vinegar
coriander
water
persian cucumber
turmeric
cilantro
lemon zest
dijon mustard
english cucumber
pepper
arugula
lime
cumin seed
dill
corn
chicken broth
lime juice
black bean
basil
cayenne pepper
sugar
honey
oregano
pepperoncini pepper
pine nut
cherry
labneh
salmon
pistachio nut
sherry vinegar
preserved lemon
apricot
celery
romaine lettuce heart
thyme
sage
cranberry
pecan
carrot
vegetable stock powder
rocket arugula lettuce
new potato
red fresno chile
romano bean
caraway seed
cinnamon
sweet bell pepper
vegetable
salt black pepper
spinach
lemon pepper​
​ vegetable broth
balsamic vinegar
garbanzo bean
​ ​ garbanzo bean
​ ​ mint
wheat couscou
lemons juice
chickpeas pre
jalapeño
red chili
cilantro parsley
herbs mint
mustard
ginger
avocado
honeydew melon
green grape
zest
lemon
olife
garlic powder
onion powder
white vinegar
salami
black olife
mozzarella cheese
shallot
zucchini
yellow squash
wheat israeli couscou
kalamata olife
cantaloupe
sheep milk yogurt
radish
sun cured black olife
orange juice
orange
green tomato
herb
agave nectar
canola oil
white wine vinegar
peach
oil cured black olife
tarragon

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%