Greek-Inspired Olive and Feta Couscous Salad

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-07-14 · Updated 2026-07-14

A light and refreshing couscous salad loaded with Kalamata olives, creamy feta, cucumbers, and fresh herbs. This Greek-inspired salad recipe (vegetarian, mediterranean), ready in about 15 minutes, pairs instant couscous, boiling water, Kalamata olives, pitted and halved 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 280 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 instant couscous
• 1 1/4 cups boiling water
• 3/4 cup Kalamata olives, pitted and halved
• 1 medium cucumber, diced
• 1/2 cup feta cheese, crumbled
• 1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped
• 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
• 2 tbsp fresh mint, chopped
• 3 tbsp lemon juice
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper

The chef’s knife we’d prep this with → Best Chef's Knives for 2026: Top Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: Place 1 cup instant couscous in a large heatproof bowl and pour 1 1/4 cups boiling water over it. Cover tightly and let stand for 5 minutes until the couscous absorbs the water and is fluffy.
2. Step 2: Fluff the couscous with a fork, then add 3/4 cup pitted and halved Kalamata olives, 1 medium diced cucumber, 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese, 1/4 cup finely chopped red onion, 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley, and 2 tbsp chopped fresh mint. Stir gently to combine.
3. Step 3: In a small bowl, whisk together 3 tbsp olive oil, 3 tbsp fresh lemon juice, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper until emulsified.
4. Step 4: Pour the dressing over the couscous salad and toss gently to coat all ingredients evenly. Chill for 20 minutes before serving to enhance flavors.