A 12 minute, no cook, giant Couscous Salad with sun dried tomato, feta, rocket (arugula), herbs and the nutty tastiness of chickpeas. My shortcut-flavour tip is to use the oil from the sun dried tomato jar as the dressing – free flavour!
A really quick Couscous Salad
This is a 12 minute meal. It’s also a no cook meal. Which means no matter how hot, how tired and how hangry you are (no typo there), or even if you’ve been cooking non stop all day since 7 am, up to your elbows in batter and pasta sauces (🙋🏻♀️), you can still muster up the energy for a seriously tasty bowl of deliciousness that requires minimal effort.
Of course, this is perfect to serve as a side as well. This would be ideal served with Western meals but especially Middle Eastern dishes such as:
But because it’s got pops of quite intense flavour thanks to the sun dried tomato and feta, it’s certainly worthy of being a meal.
Sun Dried Tomato Dressing
Speaking of sun dried tomato – this is your secret weapon for this Couscous Salad. Be sure to get the strips (to save yourself slippery oily chopping, yep, been there, done that) and be absolutely sure to get sun dried tomato in oil, not the dry vac packed version, because all that oil is infused with tasty sun dried tomato flavour and that’s what I use to dress the salad.
There is something very satisfying about tipping the entire jar of sun dried tomatoes, oil and all, over the salad. Draining oil is messy business!
I add chickpeas for texture and also nuttiness which means I don’t feel the need to throw in a handful of nuts, though that certainly wouldn’t hurt.
You’ll also be surprised how much rocket (arugula) is in this. It looks like a vast volume until you hack away at it – I like to chop it very roughly so it tosses through better.
It also means you can eat this with a spoon. In a bowl. On the couch. Never having to take your eyes off the TV as you scoop up mouthful after mouthful, binge watching Real Housewives, The Kardashians, Project Runway or other such highly intellectual show.
Every time they happen to be on when I turn the TV on, it’s like a train wreck and I can’t look away. And I can feel my brain cells popping with every passing minute… 🤣 – Nagi x
MORE SUMMER SALADS to take to gatherings
Pearl Couscous Salad <– personal fave!
Wild Rice Salad <– reader fave!
Browse all Pasta Salads and Rice Salad
Couscous Salad
WATCH HOW TO MAKE IT
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Couscous Salad with Sun Dried Tomato and Feta
Ingredients
- 1 1/4 cups dried couscous (Note 1)
- 1 1/4 cups / 315 ml boiled water
- 1 tsp vegetable stock powder (or 1 cube crumbled) (Note 2)
- 1 garlic clove , minced
- 1 tsp coriander powder (or cumin – I interchange)
- 400 g / 14 oz chickpeas (1 can) , drained
- 1/2 cup coriander , finely chopped
- 1/2 cup parsley , finely chopped (or mint)
- 1 red onion , chopped
- 220 g / 7 oz jar sun dried tomato strips in OIL (Note 3)
- 120 g / 4 oz rocket / arugula lettuce , chopped into 5 cm / 2″ pieces
- Zest of 1 large lemon
- 5 tbsp fresh lemon juice (2 large lemons)
- 1/2 tsp coarsely ground black pepper
- 60 g / 2 oz feta , crumbled
- Salt and pepper , to taste
Instructions
- Place chickpeas, couscous, vegetable stock powder, coriander and garlic in a large bowl. Pour over hot water, shake to level out couscous (chickpeas should mostly settle on top). Cover with plate or cling wrap, set aside for 5 minutes.
- Fluff couscous with fork. Cool a bit.
- Add coriander, parsley, onion, sun dried tomatoes (including all oil), rocket, lemon juice and black pepper. Sprinkle zest across surface. Toss well to combine.
- Adjust salt and pepper to taste.
- Transfer to serving bowl, sprinkle with feta. Serve.
Recipe Notes:
Nutrition Information:
Originally posted January 2018. Post updated for housekeeping matters, no change to recipe.
LIFE OF DOZER
When I leave and when I come home:
So didn’t have rocket, fresh parsley or mint. I used dried parsley and mint and doubled up on fresh coriander. And still it was fab. Beautiful fresh flavours, zesty and light and the sun dried tomatoes give it an almost meaty bite. Another winner Nagi, love your website. My mates wouldn’t think me half as good a cook without your input. Thanks again me dear!
This was delish. I added some toasted pine nuts for crunch. Next time will try it with cranberries. For some sweetness. Great recipe.
We used apricots and it worked great
Absolutely making this again. It was delicious and so very very simple
My go to lunch! Love this recipe so much!
SO good!! I’m 15 and was looking for a salad recipe that wasn’t too much like…well rabbit food. My favourite salad recipe – I wish I could upload a picture!
We don’t like bitter or peppery greens, so arugula and rocket are out. What other type of green would you suggest?
My new favourite salad! Added apricots and swapped chickpeas for pinenuts – loved it
Delicious, but ‘minimal effort’?? It has 16 ingredients, what planet are you on?
Did you really need to add that insulting (“What planet are you on”) comment? Okay, yeah, there IS definitely a bit of chopping to do, but about 1/3 of the ingredients are either spices or ready to go things like the feta cheese, chickpeas, and even the rocket greens, which you can find pre-chopped (or torn) in bags at the grocery store. No doubt, the chopping and or cutting up is energy-consuming but in comparison to some other couscous salad recipes, this one is really pretty quick to come together. Please try to not be judgemental here. (This isn’t Twitter.) Disagree ment with Nagi on something in the recipe is fine, sarcasm about it, not so much. Thanks.
But when you’re just tipping them out of a jar or a packet it IS easy!
Hi! Try baby spinach 🙂 N x
I followed the recipe as is. Way too much onion for us. Otherwise I liked it, would swap out red onion for spring onion next time. Or use 1/4 of red onion.
This is hands down the best salad I’ve ever eaten. Make it all the time and even the salad haters love it. Keeps well for several days.
Wahoo! That’s great! N x
Takes longer than 12 minutes but most amazing salad ever, make it almost every week!
So easy to make and very tasty. I made it for a family bbq on the weekend and everyone loved it.
Will wholemeal Couscous be okay?
Yes definitely Samantha! N x
We just made this salad today and it tastes so good! We used pearl couscous as thats all our local IGA had and it looked really pretty!
That’s awesome Paula – pearl couscous would have been fabulous! N x
Ummmm this is amazing. So simple but so flavorful!!
I’m so happy you enjoyed it Cadence!!
I made this yesterday, and while it took me a little longer than 12min 🙈 it was very simple to make and my gosh it was delicious!!! I used the mint option instead of the parsley due to personal preference and think that was a great choice! Everyone loved it and commented how good it was. Thank you for this recipe, it will definitely be used many times again x
That’s awesome Bec, I’m so glad it was a hit!
Made this today yummy!!! Sooo quick, easy and tasty. 😍
I’m so glad you enjoyed it Sheril!
Just made this… love love love. Ate a quick bowl tonight (couldn’t wait) will serve tomorrow night with roasted lamb. Thankyou for another great recipe!!
We’ve made this for dinner parties and for the family! Everyone’s liked it, including my fussy teenage son!! So simple, yummy, and keeps well in fridge! I actually think it’s better the second day. It’s a keeper
Winner Bettina! That’s great to hear!
assume the coriander in item 1 refers to coriander powder
Another great recipe Nagi, I love trying out all your salads. I’m adding this one to my list. Thank you.
Hi! Thank you for sharing your recipes. And this salad, i just had it for lunch and its so yummy! 😋Perfect also for hubby’s packed lunch the next day, thank you for the make ahead/storage tip.👍🏻😊
YES!!!
Made the 12 minute cous cous salad last night and it was absolutely delicious. Hubby and I couldn’t stop eating it… thank you for this recipe x
I’m so glad you loved it Kathy!