Captain's Couscous Salad

Brighten up your table with Captain's Couscous Salad, a Mediterranean-inspired masterpiece that's as vibrant in flavor as it is in color. This refreshing dish combines fluffy couscous with a medley of crisp vegetables—juicy cherry tomatoes, crunchy cucumbers, and sweet red bell pepper—alongside creamy crumbled feta, hearty chickpeas, and aromatic fresh herbs like parsley and mint. The zesty lemon-olive oil dressing, subtly spiced with ground cumin, ties all the ingredients together for a symphony of texture and taste. Perfect as a light main dish or an impressive side, this quick-prep salad comes together in just 25 minutes and can be enjoyed warm or chilled, making it a versatile and crowd-pleasing option for any occasion.

Nutriscore Rating: 73/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:10 mins

Total Time:25 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 cup couscous
• 1.25 cups boiling water
• 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1 cup cucumber, diced
• 1 medium red bell pepper, diced
• 0.25 cup red onion, finely chopped
• 0.5 cup feta cheese, crumbled
• 0.25 cup fresh parsley, chopped
• 2 tablespoons fresh mint, chopped
• 1 cup canned chickpeas, drained and rinsed
• 0.5 teaspoons salt
• 0.25 teaspoons black pepper
• 0.5 teaspoons ground cumin (optional)

Directions

Step 1

In a medium heatproof bowl, combine the couscous with 1 tablespoon of olive oil and a pinch of salt. Pour in 1.25 cups of boiling water, cover, and let sit for 10 minutes until the couscous absorbs the liquid.

Step 2

Fluff the couscous gently with a fork to break up any clumps. Allow it to cool slightly.

Step 3

In a small bowl, whisk together the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil, lemon juice, salt, black pepper, and ground cumin (if using). Set the dressing aside.

Step 4

In a large mixing bowl, combine the cherry tomatoes, diced cucumber, red bell pepper, red onion, chopped parsley, chopped mint, chickpeas, and crumbled feta cheese.

Step 5

Add the cooled couscous to the mixing bowl with the vegetables and toss gently to combine.

Step 6

Pour the dressing over the couscous salad and toss again to ensure everything is evenly coated.

Step 7

Taste and adjust seasoning if needed, adding more salt or lemon juice to brighten the flavors.

Step 8

Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld, or serve immediately at room temperature.

Step 9

Garnish with extra parsley or a sprinkle of feta before serving if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1529.1g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1304.2

Total Fat 75.0g	0%
Saturated Fat 23.7g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.1g
Cholesterol 100mg	0%
Sodium 3516.7mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 123.9g	0%
Dietary Fiber 23.9g	0%
Total Sugars 27.1g
Protein 45.1g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 893.1mg	0%
Iron 12.3mg	0%
Potassium 2328.5mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 50.0%

Protein: 13.4%

Carbs: 36.7%