Couscous Salad with Asian Peanut Dressing

By Lauren Mitchell, Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-03-23 · Updated 2026-03-23

A light and flavorful blend of Mediterranean couscous, roasted vegetables, and a creamy Asian peanut dressing. This mediterranean-inspired salads (gluten-free) ready in about 30 minutes pairs couscous, cherry tomatoes, cucumber into a side that holds its own next to almost any main — bright, balanced, and quick enough to slot into a weeknight plate. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly next to roasted proteins, grain bowls, or weeknight mains. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 1 cup couscous
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes
• 1 cup cucumber
• 1/4 cup red onion
• 1/4 cup peanuts
• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp honey
• 1 tbsp lime juice

Instructions

1. Step 1: Bring 1 1/2 cups water to a boil in a medium saucepan. Add 1 cup couscous, stir once, cover, and remove from heat. Let sit for 5-7 minutes, then fluff with a fork until light and separated. Tip: Avoid stirring the couscous while it steeps—this helps it absorb moisture evenly.
2. Step 2: Dice 1 cup cherry tomatoes into 1/4-inch pieces, julienne 1 cup cucumber into thin strips, and finely chop 1/4 cup red onion. Transfer to a large bowl, then add 1/4 cup peanuts. Gently toss with the fluffed couscous until the vegetables are evenly distributed. Tip: Use a sharp knife to dice the tomatoes and cucumber for uniform texture.
3. Step 3: In a small bowl, whisk together 2 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp honey, and 1 tbsp lime juice until the honey dissolves and the mixture becomes glossy. Pour the dressing over the couscous salad, then toss with tongs until the ingredients are evenly coated and the dressing clings to the couscous. Tip: Taste and adjust sweetness or acidity before serving—add more honey or lime juice as needed.