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- Couscous and Vegetable Broth You will need 1 cup of couscous and 1 1/4 cups of vegetable broth. These two are the base of the salad. The couscous absorbs the broth, making it fluffy and tasty. - Fresh Vegetables and Herbs Use 1 red bell pepper, diced. Add 1 cup of cherry tomatoes, halved. Also, include 1 cucumber, diced, and 1/2 cup of chopped parsley. These fresh veggies add crunch and color. - Dressing Components For the dressing, you will need 1/4 cup of olive oil, 3 cloves of minced garlic, the zest and juice of 1 large lemon, and salt and pepper to taste. The lemon and garlic bring bright flavors to the dish. Optionally, add 1/4 teaspoon of red pepper flakes for a little heat. Gather these ingredients, and you are ready to make a fresh and flavorful dish! {{ingredient_image_1}} Bringing Broth to a Boil First, grab a medium saucepan. Pour in 1 1/4 cups of vegetable broth. Turn the heat to high and bring it to a boil. This step is key. It helps the couscous absorb all the flavors. Fluffing and Cooling the Couscous Once the broth boils, add 1 cup of couscous. Stir it well and then remove the pan from the heat. Cover it with a lid and let it sit for about 5 minutes. After that, remove the lid. Use a fork to fluff the couscous gently. This makes it light and airy. Let it cool while you prepare the dressing. Mixing Olive Oil, Garlic, and Lemon In a small bowl, combine 1/4 cup of olive oil, 3 minced garlic cloves, and the zest and juice of 1 large lemon. Whisk these ingredients together until they blend well. The mixture should smell fresh and zesty. This dressing adds bright flavor to your salad. Mixing Vegetables with Couscous In a large mixing bowl, add the diced red bell pepper, halved cherry tomatoes, diced cucumber, and chopped parsley. These veggies bring color and crunch to your dish. Then, add the cooled couscous to the bowl with the vegetables. Adding Dressing and Seasoning Pour the lemon-garlic dressing over the couscous and veggies. If you like a little heat, sprinkle in 1/4 teaspoon of red pepper flakes. Gently stir everything together until the salad is well mixed. Finally, add salt and pepper to taste. Let the salad sit for at least 15 minutes. This resting time lets the flavors blend perfectly. Adding Extra Vegetables You can boost the flavor and nutrition by adding more vegetables. Try adding diced carrots, or red onion for a crunch. Spinach or kale can add a nice green touch too. Mix in whatever you like! Incorporating Protein Options To make the salad heartier, consider adding protein. Chickpeas or canned beans work well. Grilled chicken or shrimp can also be delicious. These options can turn this salad into a filling meal. Best Practices for Meal Prep To save time, you can make this salad a day ahead. Just store it in the fridge. The flavors will blend nicely as it sits. Keep the dressing separate until you’re ready to eat. This helps keep everything fresh. Serving Suggestions and Garnishes When serving, place the salad in a large bowl or individual dishes. Garnish with extra parsley for color. Add lemon wedges on the side for a fresh look. A sprinkle of red pepper flakes can add a nice kick. Pro Tips Use Fresh Ingredients: For the best flavor, use fresh vegetables and herbs. They will enhance the taste of your salad significantly. Chill Before Serving: Refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes before serving. This allows the flavors to meld beautifully. Customize Your Veggies: Feel free to add or swap in your favorite vegetables like avocado, radishes, or spinach for added texture and nutrition. Make It a Meal: To make this salad a complete meal, consider adding some protein such as chickpeas, grilled chicken, or feta cheese. {{image_2}} Substituting Couscous with Quinoa Couscous is tasty, but quinoa is a great swap. Quinoa is gluten-free and packed with protein. To use quinoa, cook it in the same broth. This will give you a similar flavor and texture. Just follow the package instructions for cooking time. Other Vegetable Choices You can mix in other vegetables too! Try adding diced carrots or sweet corn. Spinach or arugula can add a nice green touch. Use what you have at home or what’s in season. The key is to keep it fresh and colorful. Vegan and Gluten-Free Options This salad is easy to make vegan. Just ensure the broth is vegetable-based. For gluten-free, use quinoa or gluten-free couscous. This way, everyone can enjoy the dish! Don't forget to check labels when buying ingredients. To store Lemon Garlic Couscous Salad, place it in an airtight container. This keeps it fresh and tasty. Make sure to let the salad cool before sealing it. Store it in the fridge for up to three days. When you’re ready to eat, check for freshness. If it smells good and looks fine, it’s ready! Can you freeze couscous salad? Yes, you can! However, freezing can change the texture. To freeze, put the salad in a freezer-safe container. Leave some space at the top for expansion. It can last up to three months in the freezer. When you want to eat it, thaw it in the fridge overnight. After thawing, mix it well and check if it needs extra seasoning. Enjoy your salad! Lemon Garlic Couscous Salad stays fresh for about three to five days in the fridge. To keep it tasty, store it in an airtight container. This helps maintain its flavor and texture. Always check for any signs of spoilage before eating. Yes, you can make this salad ahead. It tastes even better after the flavors mix. Prepare it a day before serving and let it chill in the fridge. Just remember to add any delicate ingredients, like herbs, right before serving for the best taste. You can add protein to turn this salad into a main dish. Some great options include: - Grilled chicken - Chickpeas - Shrimp - Tofu These additions boost nutrition and make the salad heartier. Mix and match to find your favorite combination! This blog covered how to make a tasty Lemon Garlic Couscous Salad. We talked about key ingredients like couscous, fresh vegetables, and a simple dressing. You learned the cooking steps and some tips for extra flavor. We also explored variations and storage tips. Remember, you can mix and match to suit your taste. Enjoy making this salad for meals or gatherings! It's easy, fun, and delicious.

Zesty Lemon Garlic Couscous Salad

A refreshing salad with couscous, vegetables, and a zesty lemon-garlic dressing.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Salad
Cuisine Mediterranean
Servings 4
Calories 250 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup couscous
  • 1.25 cups vegetable broth
  • 0.25 cup olive oil
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 large lemon, zested and juiced
  • 1 medium red bell pepper, diced
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 medium cucumber, diced
  • 0.5 cup parsley, chopped
  • 0.25 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • to taste salt and pepper

Instructions
 

  • In a medium saucepan, bring the vegetable broth to a boil. Once boiling, stir in the couscous and remove from heat. Cover and let it sit for about 5 minutes, or until all the broth is absorbed. Fluff the couscous with a fork and allow it to cool.
  • While the couscous is cooling, prepare the dressing. In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, minced garlic, lemon zest, and lemon juice until well combined.
  • In a large mixing bowl, combine the diced red bell pepper, halved cherry tomatoes, diced cucumber, and chopped parsley.
  • Add the cooled couscous to the mixing bowl with the vegetables, then pour the lemon-garlic dressing over everything.
  • Add red pepper flakes if desired. Gently mix all the ingredients together until evenly coated. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  • Allow the salad to rest for at least 15 minutes to let the flavors meld before serving.

Notes

Allow the salad to rest for at least 15 minutes to let the flavors meld before serving.
Keyword couscous, garlic, lemon, salad, vegetarian