Vibrant Couscous Salad with Lime Basil Vinaigrette Recipe for Fresh Days

Bursting with Mediterranean flair, this couscous salad dances with bright, zesty flavors that instantly awaken your taste buds.

Chopped herbs and crisp vegetables mingle with fluffy lime basil vinaigrette couscous for a refreshing culinary experience.

Fresh ingredients blend seamlessly, creating a light yet satisfying meal perfect for warm summer days.

Colorful vegetables add vibrant crunch and texture to every delightful bite.

The tangy lime and aromatic basil elevate this simple dish into something extraordinary.

Each forkful promises a delectable journey through fresh, wholesome ingredients.

You’ll love how quickly this salad comes together, making it an ideal option for quick lunches or elegant side dishes.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 20 minutes

Calories: 210 kcal

Servings: 5

Couscous Salad Ingredient List

• Couscous: Fluffy North African pasta that cooks quickly and absorbs flavors wonderfully, opt for fine-grain for best texture.

• Tomatoes, Cucumber, Bell Pepper: Crisp summer vegetables adding vibrant color and refreshing crunch, choose ripe and firm produce.
• Red Onion: Sharp and zesty ingredient providing bold flavor punch, select firm bulbs with tight skin.
• Fresh Basil: Aromatic herb bringing bright, peppery notes, pick bright green leaves without dark spots.

• Olive Oil: Smooth base creating silky dressing, select extra virgin for rich flavor.
• Lime: Tangy citrus adding bright acidity, roll before juicing to maximize juice extraction.
• Lime Zest: Intense citrus essence enhancing overall brightness, use microplane for fine zesting.
• Honey: Natural sweetener balancing vinaigrette's sharpness, choose raw local honey for depth.
• Garlic: Pungent aromatic providing depth, crush or mince finely for even distribution.
• Dijon Mustard: Creamy emulsifier creating smooth vinaigrette, opt for smooth variety.

• Feta Cheese: Salty, crumbly cheese adding Mediterranean flair, select high-quality block.
• Nuts: Crunchy element providing textural contrast, toast briefly to enhance flavor.

Tools To Mix Couscous Salad With Lime Basil

• Heatproof bowl: Essential for preparing couscous with boiling water.
• Small bowl or jar: Perfect for whisking vinaigrette ingredients together.
• Large mixing bowl: Needed for combining salad ingredients.
• Whisk: Great for blending vinaigrette smoothly.
• Fork: Useful for fluffing couscous after cooking.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Help ensure accurate ingredient quantities.
• Cutting board: Required for chopping vegetables and herbs.
• Sharp knife: Needed to dice tomatoes, cucumber, bell pepper, and herbs.

How To Build Couscous Salad

• Boil Water for Couscous

Pour boiling water over couscous in a heatproof bowl, ensuring complete coverage. Cover the bowl and let it sit for 5 minutes, allowing the grains to absorb the liquid perfectly.

• Create Zesty Vinaigrette

Whisk together lime juice, olive oil, lime zest, honey, minced garlic, chopped basil, mustard, salt, and pepper in a small jar or bowl until the dressing becomes smooth and well-blended.

• Chop Fresh Vegetables

Dice tomatoes, cucumber, bell pepper, red onion, and extra basil leaves into bite-sized pieces. These colorful ingredients will add crunch and vibrant flavor to your salad.

• Mix and Dress

Fluff the cooked couscous with a fork and let it cool slightly. Combine the couscous with chopped vegetables in a large bowl. Drizzle the lime basil vinaigrette over the mixture, gently tossing to ensure every ingredient gets coated. Sprinkle crumbled feta and chopped nuts if desired. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper. Serve immediately or chill for a refreshing meal.

Couscous Salad Tips & Ideas

• Couscous Cooling Hack: Let couscous cool completely before adding other ingredients to prevent wilting vegetables and maintain crisp texture.
• Protein Power-Up: Add grilled chicken, chickpeas, or tofu to transform this light salad into a hearty meal that keeps you satisfied longer.
• Mediterranean Twist: Swap feta for crumbled goat cheese and add kalamata olives for an authentic Greek-inspired flavor profile that elevates the entire dish.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare vinaigrette and chop vegetables separately, storing them in the refrigerator. Mix just before serving to keep salad fresh and prevent soggy ingredients.
• Gluten-Free Option: Replace couscous with quinoa or cauliflower rice for a gluten-free alternative that maintains the same delightful texture and absorbs vinaigrette beautifully.

Ways To Serve Couscous Salad

• Fresh Mediterranean Feast Plate: Serve this zesty couscous salad alongside grilled chicken or fish for a complete Mediterranean-inspired meal that bursts with flavor and nutrition.
• Picnic Perfect Companion: Pack this salad in mason jars for a refreshing outdoor lunch that travels well and looks stunning when layered with vibrant vegetables and vinaigrette.
• Summer Party Crowd-Pleaser: Set out this colorful dish as a vibrant side at barbecues or potlucks, where its bright lime and basil notes will complement grilled meats and create a light, satisfying option for guests.
• Protein Power Boost: Transform this salad into a hearty main course by adding grilled shrimp, rotisserie chicken, or chickpeas for extra protein and making it a substantial standalone meal.

Make-Ahead & Storage Tips For Couscous Salad

• Fridge Storage Magic: Keeps well in an airtight container for 3-4 days, maintaining fresh flavors and crisp vegetable textures.
• Prep-Ahead Strategy: Prepare vinaigrette and chop vegetables separately, storing components individually to extend salad's freshness and prevent sogginess.
• Quick Lunch Solution: Pack salad in portable containers with dressing on the side, ensuring ingredients stay crunchy and vibrant during transport.
• Temperature Tip: Remove salad from refrigerator 15-20 minutes before serving to allow ingredients to reach room temperature, enhancing overall taste and texture.

Vibrant Couscous Salad With Lime Basil Vinaigrette

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4.9 from 17 reviews

• Total Time: 20 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Mediterranean Moroccan couscous salad with lime basil vinaigrette brings tangy freshness to summer dining. Delicate pearls of grain blend with crisp vegetables, creating a light and zesty side dish you’ll crave at picnics and potlucks.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 cup boiling water
• 1 cup couscous
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1 cup (240 ml) cucumber, diced
• ½ cup (120 ml) red bell pepper, chopped
• ¼ cup (60 ml) red onion, finely diced
• ¼ cup (60 ml) crumbled feta cheese
• ¼ cup (60 ml) toasted pine nuts or chopped almonds
• 3 tbsps olive oil
• 2 tbsps fresh lime juice
• 1 tsp lime zest
• 1 tsp Dijon mustard
• 1 tsp honey or maple syrup
• 1 small garlic clove, minced
• ¼ cup chopped fresh basil
• 1 tbsp finely chopped fresh basil
• Salt, to taste
• Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

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Instructions

1. Couscous Preparation: Cascade boiling water over couscous grains, seal the bowl, and let it rest for 5 minutes. Delicately separate the grains using a fork to achieve a light, fluffy consistency.
2. Vinaigrette Creation: Whisk or shake olive oil, lime juice, lime zest, mustard, honey, garlic, chopped basil, salt, and pepper in a sealed container until thoroughly combined, creating a zesty and smooth dressing.
3. Salad Assembly: Merge couscous with diced tomatoes, cucumber, bell pepper, red onion, and additional basil leaves in a large mixing bowl. Generously sprinkle crumbled feta cheese and toasted nuts throughout the mixture to enhance texture and flavor profile.
4. Final Touches: Cascade the lime basil vinaigrette over the salad, gently folding to ensure uniform coating. Calibrate seasoning with additional salt and pepper as desired. Serve immediately for optimal freshness or chill to allow flavors to harmonize and intensify.

Notes

• Fluff Wisely: Use a fork to gently separate couscous grains, preventing clumping and ensuring a light, airy texture.
• Vinaigrette Mixing Magic: Shake ingredients in a sealed jar for quick, thorough blending and emulsification of dressing components.
• Herb Freshness Hack: Add fresh basil just before serving to maintain crisp flavor and prevent wilting in the salad.
• Customize with Confidence: Swap feta for vegan cheese, add grilled chicken for protein, or include quinoa for a gluten-free alternative.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Mixing
• Cuisine: Mediterranean

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 210
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 150 mg
• Fat: 10 g
• Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 26 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 6 g
• Cholesterol: 5 mg