Couscous and Cucumber Salad with Buttermilk Dill Dressing

Brighten up your table with this refreshing Couscous and Cucumber Salad with Buttermilk Dill Dressing—a perfect combination of fluffy couscous, crisp cucumbers, juicy cherry tomatoes, and tangy feta cheese. This Mediterranean-inspired salad is elevated by a creamy yet light dressing made with buttermilk, Greek yogurt, fresh dill, and a hint of lemon, offering a burst of zesty, herbaceous flavor in every bite. Ready in just 20 minutes, this recipe is an ideal option for busy weeknights, meal prep, or as a vibrant side dish for summer gatherings. Serve it chilled for ultimate flavor infusion and pair it with grilled proteins or enjoy it on its own as a satisfying vegetarian meal.

Nutriscore Rating: 64/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:5 mins

Total Time:20 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 cup couscous
• 1.25 cups water
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1.5 teaspoons salt
• 1.5 cups cucumber
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes
• 1 small red onion
• 2 tablespoons fresh dill
• 0.5 cup buttermilk
• 0.25 cup Greek yogurt
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 1 large garlic clove
• 0.5 teaspoons black pepper
• 0.5 cup feta cheese
• 2 tablespoons optional fresh parsley

Directions

Step 1

1. In a medium saucepan, bring the water, 1 tablespoon of olive oil, and 1 teaspoon of salt to a boil.

Step 2

2. Stir in the couscous, cover the pan, and remove it from heat. Let sit for 5 minutes, then fluff with a fork to separate the grains.

Step 3

3. While the couscous cools, dice the cucumber into small cubes, halve the cherry tomatoes, finely chop the red onion, and set aside.

Step 4

4. Prepare the buttermilk dill dressing by mixing buttermilk, Greek yogurt, lemon juice, minced garlic, fresh dill, 0.5 teaspoon of salt, and black pepper in a bowl. Whisk until smooth.

Step 5

5. In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled couscous, cucumber, cherry tomatoes, red onion, and parsley if using.

Step 6

6. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss gently to coat all the ingredients evenly.

Step 7

7. Sprinkle crumbled feta cheese on top and finish with a drizzle of the remaining olive oil.

Step 8

8. Serve immediately or chill in the refrigerator for 20 minutes for a cooler, blended flavor.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1233.1g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	860.4

Total Fat 49.5g	0%
Saturated Fat 17.0g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 3.5g
Cholesterol 82.1mg	0%
Sodium 4875.9mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 75.6g	0%
Dietary Fiber 7.4g	0%
Total Sugars 20.0g
Protein 29.0g	0%

Vitamin D 75.4IU	0%
Calcium 680.9mg	0%
Iron 3.4mg	0%
Potassium 1240.1mg	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: 51.6%

Protein: 13.4%

Carbs: 35.0%