Israeli Couscous Salad With Feta And Lemon Dressing Wellplated Com

Not only is it delicious, but this Israeli couscous salad with feta cheese, fresh mint, and smoked paprika-lemon dressing is also an easy meal to make. It’s simple, nutritious, and perfect for a light meal or summer-vibes side dish. (Pair with Salmon Cakes for an extra boost of protein.) This couscous salad blends fresh ingredients and bright flavors, backed by a subtly smoky dressing and nutty whole grains.

What is Israeli Couscous?

If you are not familiar, Israeli couscous (also known as pearl couscous) is actually a small, lightly toasted pasta. It’s quick-cooking and makes a refreshing change of pace in cold pasta salads like this one. Israeli couscous is healthy, and the pearls nestle into every forkful. It’s not overly chewy and allows the other ingredients to shine.

Israeli couscous is larger in size than regular couscous. Israeli couscous is prepared by boiling, and regular couscous can be boiled or steamed. Israeli couscous nutrition differs slightly from that of regular couscous. Whole wheat Israeli couscous contains about 6 grams of fiber and 7 grams of protein per serving, and regular couscous has about 2 grams of fiber.

How to Cook Israeli Couscous Salad

Although you could add just about any mix of vegetables to a pearl couscous salad and have it turn out nicely, I am especially fond of the Mediterranean-inspired blend that we have happening in today’s recipe.

The Ingredients

Israeli Couscous. The delicious grain for our salad! I used whole wheat couscous (which I also used in this Avocado Couscous Grapefruit Salad) in this recipe. Because whole grains are higher in fiber and protein than their white counterparts (and thus more nutritious and satisfying), I prefer to use them in my cooking when possible.Lemon Zest + Juice. Adds brightness and acidity. Dijon Mustard. A zippy and tangy addition to the dressing. Smoked Paprika. I love the light smokiness that paprika adds to the recipe. Arugula. Gives the salad backbone and bite. Plus, it’s packed with calcium, potassium, and vitamins. Cucumber + Cherry Tomatoes. Both cucumber and cherry tomatoes bring delightful freshness and color to the salad. Feta Cheese + Mint. What truly makes the Israeli couscous salad beam. Promise me you will not skip these two. The feta is creamy and satisfying, and the fresh mint makes the salad taste alive.

The Directions

Storage Tips

To Store. Store leftover Israeli couscous salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.To Freeze. While I do not recommend freezing this salad as the vegetables will become mushy, you can freeze cooked couscous in an airtight freezer-safe storage container for up to 3 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator.

Recommended Tools to Make this Recipe

Saucepan. Perfect for making this traditional Israeli couscous recipe. Mixing Bowls. This set will help you prepare any recipe. Citrus Juicer. My favorite (and most-used) kitchen gadget.