Spicy Mexican Couscous Salad

Bursting with bold flavors and vibrant colors, this Spicy Mexican Couscous Salad is the ultimate fusion of southwestern flair and wholesome grain goodness. Perfect as a light main dish or a zesty side, this recipe combines fluffy couscous with hearty black beans, sweet corn, juicy cherry tomatoes, and fiery jalapeño for a healthy yet satisfying bite. The tangy lime juice and spice-packed dressing, featuring cumin, paprika, and chili powder, infuse the salad with a smoky kick, while creamy avocado and fresh cilantro add refreshing balance. Quick and simple to prepare in just 25 minutes, this chilled or room-temperature dish is ideal for meal preps, summer picnics, or Taco Tuesday spreads. Your taste buds will relish the explosion of textures and bold Mexican-inspired flavors!

Nutriscore Rating: 78/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:5 mins

Total Time:25 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 cup couscous
• 1.25 cups water
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoons lime juice
• 1 teaspoon cumin powder
• 0.5 teaspoons paprika
• 0.5 teaspoons chili powder
• 0.5 teaspoons salt
• 1 cup black beans (drained and rinsed)
• 1 cup sweet corn (canned or fresh, drained)
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes (halved)
• 1 red bell pepper (diced)
• 1 jalapeño (deseeded and finely chopped)
• 0.25 cup fresh cilantro (chopped)
• 1 avocado (diced)
• 1 teaspoon optional hot sauce

Directions

Step 1

Bring 1.25 cups of water to a boil in a medium saucepan. Once boiling, remove it from the heat and stir in the couscous. Cover the saucepan with a lid and let it sit for 5 minutes.

Step 2

Fluff the couscous with a fork to break up any clumps and let it cool to room temperature while preparing the rest of the ingredients.

Step 3

In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lime juice, cumin powder, paprika, chili powder, salt, and optional hot sauce to create the dressing.

Step 4

In a large mixing bowl, combine the black beans, sweet corn, cherry tomatoes, red bell pepper, jalapeño, and fresh cilantro.

Step 5

Add the cooled couscous to the vegetable mixture and gently toss until evenly combined.

Step 6

Pour the dressing over the couscous salad and mix thoroughly to coat all the ingredients with the spices and oil.

Step 7

Just before serving, gently fold in the diced avocado to avoid mashing it.

Step 8

Taste and adjust seasoning with more salt or lime juice if needed. Serve chilled or at room temperature.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1531.1g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1197.3

Total Fat 56.0g	0%
Saturated Fat 8.3g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.8g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 2296.3mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 156.0g	0%
Dietary Fiber 39.9g	0%
Total Sugars 25.6g
Protein 35.6g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 225.5mg	0%
Iron 10.4mg	0%
Potassium 2905.0mg	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: 39.7%

Protein: 11.2%

Carbs: 49.1%