Pearled Couscous Salad
You have to try our Pearled Couscous Salad—it is a flavorful Mediterranean-style salad that’s perfect for all your summer gatherings. This easy-to-make salad is sure to be the highlight of any gathering.
The Ideal Salad If You Love Couscous
We love couscous salads, and this one features pearled couscous from Trader Joe’s. It’s a convenient pantry staple that makes it easy to whip up a delicious salad. And, if you love couscous salads, then this salad is for you!
As always, the key to a great couscous salad is using the freshest ingredients. Plus, our zesty vinaigrette is also another reason for making this salad exceptionally delicious. It’s so good and refreshing that everyone will come back for seconds! (for sure!)
This pearled couscous salad will make an ideal side dish to serve at barbecues, potluck dinners, and even picnics.
Tell Us About This Pearled Couscous Salad
Unlike most couscous salads, where the grain of couscous is tiny granules. This Pearled Couscous Salad is different, with small white balls. It’s technically a pasta, prepared with semolina mixed with water until it forms these round, white little balls. And, these little balls of couscous are very light in texture, similar to orzo pasta, but much softer and fluffier (if that makes any sense).
And after it’s cooked with water, it is then tossed with fresh vegetables, some crumbled feta cheese, and a zesty vinaigrette made with olive oil, vinegar, and lemon juice.
It’s a Mediterranean-style salad, and a healthy one too. It is so good, it’s literally exquisite! This pearled couscous salad is best served chilled and complements all meats, poultry, and fish.
Ingredients
Our full recipe card with instructions is located at the bottom. But first, here are the ingredients needed for this recipe:
- 8 ounces Pearled Couscous (Trader Joe’s)
- yellow onion
- butter
- water
- salt
- extra virgin olive oil
- small cucumber
- garlic clove
- Kalamata olives
- red onion
- celery stalk
- white balsamic vinegar (or white wine vinegar)
- fresh basil
- cayenne pepper
- fresh cracked black pepper to taste
- crumbled feta cheese
- lemon
How to Make This Pearled Couscous Salad?
There are two steps to making this salad. Once you boil the pearled couscous with water, the rest is very easy.
- First, I added one additional step! I wanted to give a more punch of flavor to the couscous, so I sautéed a small onion in olive oil and butter, then added the pearled couscous and sautéed it for about one minute, to give it a rich, buttery flavor.
- Second, have to prep all the veggies! When the couscous cooled down, add the veggies, crumbled cheese, and vinaigrette, and toss together to combine and chill. Easy-Peasy.
FAQ’s
- Where can we buy pearled couscous? Most Trader Joe’s carry their brand of Pearled Couscous, but you can also find it on Amazon.
- Can we make this couscous salad using other vegetables? Yes, of course. Make it your own, and use some of your favorite fresh veggies. Try it with cherry tomatoes, fresh parsley, or mint as the herbs. The possibilities are endless.
- How many servings will this recipe make? This recipe will serve at least 6 servings. If you are making this salad for a larger crowd, it’s very easy to double all the ingredients. Be sure to buy 2 boxes of the pearled couscous.
- What foods to serve with pearled couscous salad? Serve it with Lamb Chops Grilled, Flounder Fillets in Lemon Sauce, London Broil Steak Grilled To Perfection, and Chicken Tenders Smothered in Lemon.
Storing Leftovers
- This salad can be made one day ahead. Keep it covered and chilled in the refrigerator.
- Also, it’s best to keep leftovers in an air-tight container and keep them in the refrigerator. This couscous salad will stay fresh for up to 3 days (if it lasts that long!)
More Delicious Salads
- Quinoa Tabbouleh Salad
- Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad
- Easy Italian Tomato Salad (Marinated!)
- Best Broccoli Salad (Keto)
Tried this recipe? Let us know and leave a comment with a star rating! We’d love to hear from you. Sharing your insights and experiences helps everyone who reads them, and helps us too! Snap a photo and share it on social media. For more delicious recipes, follow us on Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook!
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Pearled Couscous Salad
Pearled Couscous Salad is easy to make and chill before serving. A delicious salad for everyone, and an ideal one to serve for all gatherings, barbecues, picnics and potluck dinners.
Ingredients
- 8 ounces Pearled Couscous
- 1/2 of an yellow onion - diced
- 2 Tbsp. unsalted butter
- 1 + 1/2 cups water
- 1/2 tsp. salt
- 5 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil,( divided) and extra as needed
- 1 small cucumber- diced
- 1 garlic clove - minced
- 6 Kalamata olives - pitted and diced
- 1/4 cup of red onion - thinly sliced or diced
- 1/3 cup of minced celery (one celery stalk)
- 3 Tbsp. white balsamic vinegar (or white wine vinegar)
- a handful of fresh basil - chopped
- pinch of cayenne pepper
- fresh cracked black pepper to taste
- 4 Tbsp. crumbled feta cheese
- 1/2 of a lemon - juiced
Instructions
- In a small saucepan, sauté on moderate heat, the diced onion with 1 tablespoon of olive oil and 2 tablespoons of butter. Sauté, for about 2 to 3 minutes, until the onion is softened, translucent, and golden.
- Add the entire bag of pearled couscous (8 ounces) and stir for about 1 minute to sauté. Next, pour in 1 + 1/2 cups of water, add the 1/2 teaspoon of salt, cover with a lid, and bring to a boil. Then lower the heat to a low simmer, and cook until the water is fully absorbed, about 4 to 5 minutes. Remove from heat and set it aside to cool.
- Meanwhile, chop, mince and prep all the veggies: celery, red onion, petite cucumber, garlic clove, kalamata olives and fresh basil. Toss them into a mixing bowl.
- When couscous is completely cooled down, transfer to the mixing bowl, add 3 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil and white balsamic vinegar, and some black pepper and a pinch of cayenne pepper. Toss and finally add the crumbled feta cheese, fresh lemon juice and toss again to combine. Taste and adjust the seasonings to your taste. If you need additional vinaigrette, add additional olive oil and vinegar.
- Cover the salad. Chill the salad at least 30 minutes or more before serving. NOTE: you can make this salad the day before.
- Before serving, keep in mind, most of the vinaigrette will be absorbed by the couscous; and therefore, you may need to add additional olive oil, and a splash of the vinegar. Then transfer the salad to a pretty serving bowl and serve.
Notes
1. This salad can be made one day ahead. Keep it covered and chilled in the refrigerator.
2. Keep leftovers in a sealed container. This couscous salad will stay fresh for up to 3 days (if it lasts that long!)
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 6 servings Serving Size: 1 servingAmount Per Serving: Calories: 286Total Fat: 23gCarbohydrates: 37gFiber: 4gProtein: 15g
Have a Delicious Day! 🙂
Thank you for stopping by…
xo anna and liz
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