Chickpea Couscous Salad

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This light and fluffy Moroccan Couscous Salad is a perfect summer dish! It’s packed with bright flavor from the fresh lemon vinaigrette dressing. Tender chickpeas pair well with crunchy cucumbers, peppery radishes, and sweet bell peppers. The toasted almonds give it a nice crunch, and the kalamata olives add a delicious salty finish. This flavor-packed salad will tantalize all your senses!

Salads can be so boring. Lettuce, tomatoes, and a vinaigrette are about as interesting as it gets, right? Wrong! This Moroccan couscous chickpea salad is anything but boring. It is full of flavor and texture, thanks to the addition of delicious ingredients, all of which marry together perfectly. The result is a salad that will have you coming back for more and more. And, it’s so easy to make! Just follow the simple recipe below.

why you’ll love this summer couscous salad

• Refreshingly light. This salad is the perfect summer dish! It’s light and refreshing, yet still filling and satisfying. You get protein from the chickpeas, healthy fats from the olives and almonds, and plenty of vitamins and minerals from all the fresh vegetables.
• Quick & easy to make. Simply cook the couscous, chop up the veggies, and mix everything together with a homemade lemon vinaigrette dressing. The couscous salad comes together in just a few minutes!
• Packed with flavor. This salad is packed with fresh and vibrant flavors. The lemon dressing is zesty and bright. The couscous is fluffy and tender. The vegetables are crunchy and fresh. And the olives and almonds add a delicious salty finish.
• Perfect for entertaining. Whip it up for parties, potlucks, and barbecues. It can be made ahead of time and served at room temperature. It’s also vegetarian and dairy-free, so it’s perfect for guests with dietary restrictions.

Ingredients you’ll need for a Moroccan couscous salad

Like with any good couscous salad, you’re going to have two parts to this dish: the couscous and the salad dressing. I like to make my own, but you can keep things simple by using a store-bought salad dressing.

Couscous Salad Ingredients

• Moroccan couscous: While you can use any type of couscous you want for this recipe, I prefer Moroccan. It’s smaller and has a bit more of a bite to it than regular couscous. If you’re using another type of couscous, grab my tips for how to cook any type of couscous.
• Chickpeas: I like to use canned chickpeas for this salad. They’re already cooked and ready to go, which saves time. Just make sure to drain and rinse them before adding them to the salad.
• Cucumber: I like to use Persian cucumbers because they’re small and have thin skin. But, you can use any type of cucumber you like.
• Radishes: I love the peppery flavor of radishes in this salad. They add a nice crunch and contrast well with the sweetness of the bell peppers.
• Bell peppers: I used green bell peppers because that’s what I had on hand. But, feel free to use any color you like.
• Kalamata olives: Olives are a must in any good Moroccan dish! They add a delicious salty flavor that takes this salad to the next level.
• Almonds: Toasted almonds give this salad a nice crunch. You can also use pistachios, walnuts, or pecans.
• Green onions: Green onions add a bit of onion flavor without being overpowering. You can also use red onions if you prefer.

Dressing Ingredients

• Lemon juice: I prefer fresh lemon juice, but you can use bottled if that’s what you have.
• Olive oil: I like to use extra virgin olive oil for this dressing. But, you can use any type of olive oil you like.
• Honey: Honey adds a touch of sweetness to the dressing. You can also use agave nectar or maple syrup.
• Garlic: Fresh garlic always tastes best, but you can use jarred minced garlic in a pinch.
• Ground cumin: Cumin is a key ingredient in Moroccan cuisine. It adds a warm, earthy flavor to the dressing.
• Salt & Pepper: I like to use kosher salt for this dressing. But, you can use any type of salt you have on hand.

How to make a couscous chickpea salad

If you intend to serve this salad chilled, it’s best to cook the couscous ahead of time. So it has enough time to cool down before adding it to the salad.

Cook the Couscous

1. In a pot, bring water to a boil. Add couscous.
2. Stir vigorously until most of the liquid is absorbed then cover and remove from heat to steam.
3. Fluff with a fork and transfer to a large salad bowl to cool down.

toss couscous with the Salad

1. Prepare the salad ingredients and dressing. Add them to the cooled couscous.
2. Toss gently to combine.

Tips for making a couscous salad

1. Make the dressing ahead of time. If you are able to, make this couscous salad dressing at least 24 hours in advance to really give the flavors time to meld together.
2. Add additional protein in the form of meat. This couscous salad is delicious on its own, but you can also add grilled chicken, shrimp, or lamb if you want to make it a heartier meal.
3. Make it vegan. If you want to make this salad vegan, simply omit the honey from the dressing recipe.
4. Serve it warm or cold. This salad can be served warm or cold. If you want to serve it warm, simply cook the couscous according to the package directions and add it to the salad while it’s still hot.
5. Step up your couscous. Instead of going from box to boiling water, try toasting your couscous with olive oil or butter for a nuttier flavor. You can also add seasonings to your water (or even use broth!) like cumin, garlic powder, or coriander.

popular substitutions & additions

• Out of Moroccan couscous? You can use pearled couscous or even quinoa in a pinch. I don’t recommend using the largest size of couscous, Lebanese, as it feels clunky in this salad.
• Don’t have time to make your own dressing? You can definitely use a store-bought dressing if you’re short on time. Just look for something with a similar flavor profile (lemony, bright, herby) as this dressing.
• Need more veggies? Feel free to add in any of your favorite vegetables. Carrots, tomatoes, and zucchini would all be delicious in this salad. You could even grill some eggplant or squash to add-in.
• Make it a meal. This salad can easily be turned into a main dish by adding in some grilled chicken, shrimp, or lamb. You could also add feta or goat cheese for an additional protein boost.

what to serve with Moroccan couscous chickpea salad

• Grilled Lemon Chicken
• Butter Chicken
• Chicken Shish Tawook
• Harissa Marinated Chicken
• Air Fried Chicken Breasts
• Chicken Kafta
• Grilled Lamb Kabobs
• Grilled Chicken Kabobs

how to store couscous salad

I recommend storing your couscous salad in an airtight container or mason jar. The dressing can be stored separately from the salad, or you can dress the whole salad and then store it. If you dress the entire salad, just know that the couscous will absorb some of the dressing and can get soggy and mushy.

If you are making this salad with the intention of leftovers, I would suggest only dressing the amount of salad you plan on eating. Store the extra salad and dressing in the fridge, and then dress it right before you eat it.

How long will couscous salad last in the fridge?

This couscous salad will last in the fridge for up to four days. After that, the couscous will start to get mushy, and the veggies will start to wilt.

Frequently asked questions

Couscous salad is the perfect dish for summertime entertaining. It’s light, refreshing, and can be made ahead of time. This Moroccan couscous chickpea salad is packed with flavor and has a homemade dressing that will take your salad to the next level. Trust me. Your guests will be asking for the recipe!

So, what are you waiting for? Let’s get cooking!

More Mediterranean salad recipes:

• Grilled Chicken Shish Kabobs
• Mediterranean Chopped Salad
• Mediterranean Couscous Salad
• Tabbouleh Salad
• Freekeh and Chicken Soup
• Green Bean Stew with Meat
• Hearty White Bean Soup
• Couscous with Shrimp
• Layered Mediterranean Dip
• Mediterranean Breakfast Wrap

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