Couscous Salad with Dried Cherries
Bright, vibrant, and full of irresistible flavors, this Couscous Salad with Dried Cherries is a perfect balance of savory and sweet. Fluffy couscous serves as the base, soaking up a zesty lemon dressing infused with fresh parsley, mint, and green onions. The addition of chewy dried cherries and crunchy slivered almonds creates a delightful texture contrast, while the aromatic zest and juice of lemon tie it all together. Ready in just 20 minutes, this quick and easy salad is ideal for a refreshing lunchtime boost, a side dish for grilled meats, or a light vegetarian meal. Serve it fresh or chill to enhance the bold, herby flavors. Perfect for potlucks, meal prep, or any occasion, this recipe is your go-to for a healthy and flavorful dish bursting with Mediterranean-inspired goodness!
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Ingredients
- 1 cup couscous
- 1.25 cups water
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 0.5 teaspoons salt
- 0.5 cups dried cherries
- 0.25 cups fresh parsley
- 0.25 cups fresh mint
- 3 stalks green onions
- 0.25 cups slivered almonds
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 teaspoons lemon zest
- 0.25 teaspoons black pepper
Directions
Step 1
In a medium saucepan, bring the water to a boil and stir in the salt and 1 tablespoon of olive oil.
Step 2
Remove the saucepan from heat, add the couscous, and cover with a lid. Let it sit for 5 minutes to absorb the water.
Step 3
Fluff the couscous with a fork and transfer it into a large mixing bowl to cool slightly.
Step 4
While the couscous is cooling, chop the parsley, mint, and green onions, and set them aside.
Step 5
In a small bowl, whisk together the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, and black pepper to make the dressing.
Step 6
Add the dried cherries, chopped parsley, mint, green onions, and slivered almonds to the couscous. Toss gently to combine.
Step 7
Pour the dressing over the salad and toss until everything is evenly coated.
Step 8
Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt or pepper, if necessary.
Step 9
Serve immediately, or chill in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to let the flavors meld together.
Nutrition Facts
| Serving size | (700.7g) |
|---|
| Amount per serving | % Daily Value* |
|---|---|
| Calories | 862.4 |
| Total Fat 59.3g | 0% |
| Saturated Fat 7.8g | 0% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat 4.1g | |
| Cholesterol 0mg | 0% |
| Sodium 1509.1mg | 0% |
| Total Carbohydrate 71.9g | 0% |
| Dietary Fiber 8.3g | 0% |
| Total Sugars 22.8g | |
| Protein 14.8g | 0% |
| Vitamin D 0IU | 0% |
| Calcium 203.0mg | 0% |
| Iron 4.4mg | 0% |
| Potassium 703.7mg | 0% |
Source of Calories