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:
Just made this salad, I’ll be eating this tomorrow.
I have finally mastered whole roasted fish (not that it was too difficult) and need to find a salad that goes well with fish.
Great salad as a standalone or with protein accompaniment-I served lamb cutlets. I replaced the couscous with quinoa, which I cooked according to the quinoa instructions along with the stock powder and cumin, stirring through minced garlic once cooked. Worked a treat. Thanks for the great recipe!
Sounds like you nailed it Kitty, and a perfect dish to have with lamb – N x
Hello Nagi. What brand of couscous do you use. I can’t thank you enough for these wonderful recipes.
Hi Barbara, I normally just use San Remo 🙂
Fantastic recipes
Thanks so much Lita ❤️
I made this yesterday along with your chicken shawarma recipe and got rave reviews from my guests. I tried using quinoa since I only had Isreali couscous and one of the guests does not like it, but the boiling water did not cook it enough and I had to heat it more. I would suggest cooking it first as normal and then just mixing in the chickpeas to warm them. Since I’m eating it for breakfast as I type this, I still consider it a huge success and can’t wait to try it again with the proper couscous. Thanks.
Hi Gordon, you’re exactly right – you would need to cook quinoa a different way as it takes longer to cook than couscous. I bet it would taste just as great as couscous though!
I opened the newsletter email just to see the update on Dozer, and here I am eating this delicious salad! Yet another awesome recipe from Nagi, thanks!
Thanks so much Meg!
Do you have a gallery of all of Dozer’s photos/posts.?
Would love to see older posts..(new subscriber)
Thanks… love the recipes!
Can the feta cheese be exchanged for another kind? I don’t really like feta, but the recipe looks so good I want to try it.
You could use goats cheese if you prefer or even parmesan or bocconcini!
Made this last night! Had it for dinner and having it for lunch today! Light yet filling, refreshing, healthy and most importantly, tasty! It’s a keeper! Thank you Nagi!
You’re so welcome Chae!!
I made this recipe for the family for Easter. It was a hit with everyone.
Glad we had left overs – tasted even better the next day.
Will be making this again!
Wahoo, I’m so happy it was a hit!
Love this recipe. Full of flavour. Beautiful main or side. Keeps well for a couple of days.
Made this for dinner last night with roast chicken, i didn’t have couscous so substituted with quinoa and was so yummy. Had for lunch today and tasted even better. Another great recipe so thanks again Nagi.
I’m so glad you loved it, it would have been perfect with roast chicken!
This is yummy and filling! Love it!
Yes, I love it as a side or a main!
Utterly delicious and so easy to make. Teamed it up with some lamb skewers for dinner and the family loved it. So great for a hot summer Sydney night … and the bonus, there’s leftovers for lunch tomorrow 😁
A perfect combo! Terrific Pauline ☺️
WOW this salad is YUM! Super fresh and healthy, but still really filling and satisfying from the chick peas and feta. I had a huge bowl of this and still went back from seconds. I can already tell this will be a go-to recipe for BBQs and dinner parties.
It’s the perfect picnic/BBQ food! I’m so happy you love it Monique!
Absolutely loved this! My partner couldn’t get enough, his response was I didn’t think couscous could taste so good! Definitely will make this again!
Wowser! What a compliment, thanks!
Thank you Nagi. That was delicious and so easy to prepare.
It makes a large salad leaving left
Overs for meals tomorrow.
It was full of flavour. The lemon juice added a lovely tang with the saltiness of the feta.
That’s so great to hear Sarah! Thanks for sharing your feedback – N x
Loved this recipe soo much. Looking forward to leftovers tomorrow. I also added sultanas into it for added sweetness. Pairs nicely with everything!! Some slithered almonds would really set it off. Thankyou!
That’s great to hear Sami! Thanks for letting me know you enjoyed this! N x
This is an amazing recipe. Thank you so much. I made it for dinner yesterday and I’m now eating the leftovers for lunch. This one is a keeper!
I’m so glad! Thank you for letting me know Marylou! N x
Hi Nagi,
Just wanted to say that your blog is amazing and this recipe is a keeper! I made it last night and it was so incredibly tasty.
Your fan in Vancouver, Canada!
Glad you loved this Sandra!! Thanks for sharing your feedback! N x
Could you use quinoa instead of couscous for this recipe??
Absolutely! N x