Herb and Citrus Couscous Salad with Toasted Almonds

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-16 · Updated 2026-05-16

A colorful Mediterranean-inspired couscous salad bursting with fresh herbs, bright citrus, and crunchy toasted almonds, great for a light Mother’s Day side. This Mediterranean-inspired salad recipe (vegetarian), ready in about 10 minutes, pairs couscous, boiling water, olive oil 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 couscous
• 1 1/4 cups boiling water
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1/2 cup fresh parsley, chopped
• 1/4 cup fresh mint, chopped
• 3 green onions, thinly sliced
• 3 tbsp lemon juice
• 2 tbsp orange juice
• 1/3 cup toasted sliced almonds
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper

Instructions

1. Step 1: Place 1 cup couscous in a large bowl. Pour 1 1/4 cups boiling water over it, cover tightly with plastic wrap, and let sit for 5 minutes until water is absorbed. Fluff with a fork.
2. Step 2: Stir in 2 tbsp olive oil, 3 tbsp lemon juice, and 2 tbsp orange juice into the couscous until well combined.
3. Step 3: Add 1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley, 1/4 cup chopped fresh mint, and 3 thinly sliced green onions to the couscous. Toss gently to combine.
4. Step 4: Season with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Just before serving, sprinkle 1/3 cup toasted sliced almonds over the top for a crunchy texture.