Cucumber Lemon Couscous Salad (Print Version)
Fluffy couscous with cucumber, herbs, lemon juice and olive oil for a bright, chilled side or light main.
# What You'll Need:
→ Grains
01 - 1 cup couscous
02 - 1 cup water
03 - ½ teaspoon kosher salt
→ Vegetables
04 - 1 large cucumber, diced
05 - ½ small red onion, finely chopped
06 - ½ cup fresh parsley, chopped
07 - ¼ cup fresh mint, chopped
→ Dressing
08 - Juice of 1 large lemon (about 3 tablespoons)
09 - 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
10 - 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup
11 - 1 clove garlic, minced
12 - ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
→ Optional Additions
13 - ½ cup cherry tomatoes, halved
14 - ¼ cup crumbled feta cheese
# Step-by-Step Guide:
01 - Bring water and salt to a boil in a small saucepan. Remove from heat, stir in the couscous, cover tightly, and let stand for 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork and allow to cool to room temperature.
02 - In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled couscous, diced cucumber, finely chopped red onion, parsley, and mint. Toss gently to distribute evenly.
03 - In a small bowl, whisk together the lemon juice, olive oil, honey or maple syrup, minced garlic, and black pepper until emulsified and smooth.
04 - Pour the dressing over the couscous mixture and toss thoroughly until all ingredients are evenly coated.
05 - Gently fold in the cherry tomatoes and crumbled feta cheese if desired, taking care not to crush the tomatoes.
06 - Serve chilled or at room temperature as a light main course or a vibrant side dish.
# Expert Suggestions:
01 -
- The lemon honey dressing hits that sweet tart balance that makes people ask for the recipe after one bite.
- It comes together in the time it takes to set a picnic table, which makes it my most reliable potluck contribution.
02 -
- Do not dress the salad and then refrigerate it for hours, because the cucumber will weep and pool at the bottom of the bowl.
- Tasting the dressing before it meets the salad lets you adjust the lemon or honey to your preference, which is easier than fixing it later.
03 -
- Dice the cucumber slightly smaller than you think you should so every forkful gets a bit of crunch instead of a chunk.
- Letting the dressed salad sit at room temperature for ten minutes before eating deepens the flavor more than any ingredient tweak ever could.