Dried Cherry Couscous Salad

Brighten up your lunch or dinner spread with this vibrant Dried Cherry Couscous Salad, a perfect fusion of sweet and savory notes. Light, fluffy couscous forms the base for this Mediterranean-inspired dish, enhanced by juicy dried cherries, toasted slivered almonds, and a refreshing blend of fresh parsley and mint. The tangy citrus vinaigrette, made with lemon juice, orange juice, and a touch of honey, ties everything together with zesty elegance. Ready in just 20 minutes, this quick and easy side dish is as versatile as it is flavorful—serve it chilled for a refreshing summer dish or at room temperature for a hearty addition to your holiday table. Bursting with texture, color, and wholesome ingredients, this salad is sure to be a crowd-pleaser!

Nutriscore Rating: 67/100

Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:10 mins

Total Time:20 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 cup couscous
• 1 cup water
• 0.5 teaspoon salt
• 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 0.5 cup dried cherries
• 0.25 cup slivered almonds
• 0.25 cup fresh parsley, chopped
• 2 tablespoons fresh mint, chopped
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon orange juice
• 1 teaspoon honey
• 0.25 teaspoon black pepper

Directions

Step 1

In a medium saucepan, bring the water and salt to a boil.

Step 2

Remove the saucepan from heat, add the couscous, and cover with a lid. Let it sit for 5 minutes until the couscous absorbs all the water.

Step 3

Fluff the couscous with a fork and transfer it to a large mixing bowl. Allow it to cool to room temperature.

Step 4

In a dry skillet over medium heat, toast the slivered almonds for 2-3 minutes until lightly golden and fragrant. Remove from heat and set aside.

Step 5

In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, orange juice, honey, and black pepper to make the citrus vinaigrette.

Step 6

Add the dried cherries, toasted almonds, chopped parsley, and mint to the cooled couscous. Gently mix to combine.

Step 7

Pour the citrus vinaigrette over the couscous mixture and toss until well-coated.

Step 8

Serve the salad immediately or refrigerate for 1-2 hours to allow the flavors to meld. Serve chilled or at room temperature.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(666.3g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	874.2

Total Fat 59.6g	0%
Saturated Fat 7.4g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.1g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 1525.0mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 78.5g	0%
Dietary Fiber 8.5g	0%
Total Sugars 29.7g
Protein 15.7g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 283.7mg	0%
Iron 6.4mg	0%
Potassium 1043.3mg	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: 58.7%

Protein: 6.9%

Carbs: 34.4%