Mediterranean Chilled Couscous Salad with Cucumber and Feta

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-06 · Updated 2026-05-06

A light and refreshing couscous salad featuring crisp cucumber, creamy feta, and a lemon-oregano dressing, perfect for warm summer days. This Mediterranean-inspired salad recipe (vegetarian), ready in about 15 minutes, pairs couscous, boiling water, cucumber, diced 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
• 1 medium cucumber, diced
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1/2 cup feta cheese, crumbled
• 1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped
• 3 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 2 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 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 couscous in a large bowl and pour 1 1/4 cups boiling water over it. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and let stand for 5 minutes until water is absorbed, then fluff with a fork.
2. Step 2: Add 1 medium diced cucumber, 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes, 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese, 1/4 cup finely chopped red onion, and 3 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley to the couscous. Stir gently to combine.
3. Step 3: In a small bowl, whisk together 3 tablespoons olive oil, 2 tablespoons lemon juice, 1 teaspoon dried oregano, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper until emulsified.
4. Step 4: Pour the dressing over the couscous salad and toss thoroughly to coat. Chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving for flavors to meld.