Description
This Couscous Arugula Salad is a fresh and zesty dish that blends soft, nutty pearl couscous with peppery arugula, juicy cherry tomatoes, briny olives, and creamy feta cheese. Finished with a lemon-olive oil dressing, it’s light, flavorful, and perfect for lunches, picnics, or as a Mediterranean-style side.
Ingredients
1 cup pearl couscous
1 1/4 cups water or vegetable broth
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 cups fresh arugula
1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
1/2 cup mixed olives, sliced
1/3 cup crumbled feta cheese
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (optional)
1 lemon, juiced
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
Salt and black pepper, to taste
Instructions
1. In a medium saucepan, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium heat. Add the pearl couscous and toast for 2–3 minutes until lightly golden.
2. Pour in 1 1/4 cups water or broth, bring to a boil, reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 8–10 minutes until couscous is tender. Fluff with a fork and let cool.
3. In a small bowl or jar, whisk together lemon juice, extra virgin olive oil, salt, and pepper to make the dressing.
4. While couscous cools, halve cherry tomatoes, slice olives, and chop parsley. Rinse and dry arugula thoroughly.
5. In a large bowl, combine couscous, arugula, tomatoes, olives, feta, and parsley.
6. Pour dressing over the salad and toss gently to combine.
7. Serve immediately or chill for 15–20 minutes to let the flavors meld.
8. Garnish with extra feta or herbs before serving, if desired.
Notes
Cooking couscous in broth enhances its flavor. You can make this salad vegan by omitting the feta. To make it more filling, add chickpeas or grilled chicken. Store dressed salad in the fridge for 2–3 days.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: ~1.5 cups
- Calories: 290
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 7g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
Keywords: couscous arugula salad, Mediterranean salad, easy lunch, vegetarian salad