Nectarine and Chickpea Couscous Salad with Honey Cumin Dressing

Bright, refreshing, and bursting with flavor, this Nectarine and Chickpea Couscous Salad with Honey Cumin Dressing is the perfect blend of vibrant summer ingredients and Mediterranean-inspired flair. Sweet nectarines, crisp cucumber, and crunchy red bell pepper mingle with fluffy couscous and protein-packed chickpeas, while fresh mint and parsley add a fragrant herbal touch. The star of the dish is the honey cumin dressing, a zesty blend of olive oil, lemon juice, and warm spices that ties everything together beautifully. Whether served as a light lunch or a colorful side dish, this recipe is as nutritious as it is delicious, with optional crumbled feta for a tangy finish. Quick to prepare and packed with wholesome ingredients, it’s a must-try for anyone seeking easy, flavorful salads that capture the essence of fresh, seasonal dining.

Nutriscore Rating: 72/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:5 mins

Total Time:20 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 cup couscous
• 1 cup vegetable broth
• 2 medium nectarines
• 1 15-ounce can canned chickpeas
• 1 small red bell pepper
• 1 medium cucumber
• 0.25 cup fresh mint leaves
• 0.25 cup fresh parsley
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 1.5 tablespoons honey
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 0.5 teaspoon salt
• 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
• 0.5 cup feta cheese (optional)

Directions

Step 1

Bring the vegetable broth to a boil in a small saucepan. Remove from heat, add the couscous, and cover. Let it sit for 5 minutes, then fluff with a fork and set aside to cool.

Step 2

Drain and rinse the canned chickpeas. Set aside.

Step 3

Wash and dice the nectarines, red bell pepper, and cucumber into bite-sized pieces.

Step 4

Finely chop the fresh mint leaves and parsley.

Step 5

In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, honey, ground cumin, lemon juice, salt, and black pepper to make the dressing.

Step 6

In a large bowl, combine the couscous, chickpeas, nectarines, red bell pepper, cucumber, mint, and parsley. Toss gently to mix.

Step 7

Drizzle the honey cumin dressing over the salad and toss until evenly coated.

Step 8

If using, sprinkle crumbled feta cheese on top before serving.

Step 9

Serve immediately, or refrigerate for up to 2 hours to allow the flavors to meld. Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1711.5g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1680.0

Total Fat 79.0g	0%
Saturated Fat 26.1g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 4.9g
Cholesterol 106.8mg	0%
Sodium 4661.0mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 200.5g	0%
Dietary Fiber 34.9g	0%
Total Sugars 75.7g
Protein 54.6g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 1076.7mg	0%
Iron 17.1mg	0%
Potassium 2997.7mg	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: 41.1%

Protein: 12.6%

Carbs: 46.3%