Pearl Couscous Salad
Toasted plain pearl couscous gets cozy with fresh veggies, chickpeas, and a little lemon-sumac spiked dressing that knows exactly what it’s doing. This isn’t a filler side—it’s a delicious meal with plenty of protein, bright citrus, and enough swagger to carry your whole plate.
Servings: 5 Cups
Calories: 249kcal
Cost: $7.50
Equipment
Ingredients
Salad:
- 1 ½ cups cucumber diced
- 1 ½ cups cherry tomatoes cut in halves
- ⅓ cup red onion diced small
- ⅓ cup parsley chopped
- ¼ cup dill chopped
- 1 cup canned chickpeas drained
Dressing:
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 2 teaspoons dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon sumac
- ½ teaspoon thyme
- 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- ½ teaspoon salt
Optional Garnishes:
- Mint leaves
- Parsley leaves
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat. After 90 seconds when the oil is hot, add the pearl couscous and stir constantly for 3 minutes until lightly toasted.
- Add the garlic, turmeric, coriander, and cinnamon. Stir for 60 seconds to bloom the spices.
- Pour in the water and add the salt. Increase to high heat and bring to a boil.
- Reduce to low heat, cover, and simmer for 10 minutes until the liquid is absorbed and the couscous is tender. Remove from heat, uncover, and let stand for 10 minutes to cool.
- While the couscous cools, cut and combine the cucumber, cherry tomatoes, red onion, parsley, dill, and chickpeas in a large mixing bowl.
- In a separate bowl, whisk the lemon juice, Dijon mustard, sumac, thyme,extra-virgin olive oil, and salt.
- Mix together the cooled couscous, prepped vegetables, herbs, and dressing in one bowl.
- Transfer to an attractive serving dish and garnish with additional herbs if desired.
Notes
🔥 The Toast of the Town:
Toast the couscous in olive oil first for a deep, nutty flavor and chewy bite. Golden = good, burnt = tragic.
🧂 Salt Bae-watch:
Chickpeas and broth often come pre-salted. Taste as you go, and always rinse your chickpeas to prevent a briny bean bath.
🔪 Slice Slice Baby:
Chop the veggies small so every forkful gets a little bit of everything. You don’t want to joust with a tomato wedge in a salad.
Nutrition
Calories: 249kcal | Carbohydrates: 29g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 8g | Sodium: 594mg | Potassium: 314mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 783IU | Vitamin C: 21mg | Calcium: 50mg | Iron: 2mg