Mixed Heritage Spiced Couscous Salad

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-30 · Updated 2026-04-30

A vibrant couscous salad blending Mediterranean and Middle Eastern flavors. This Mediterranean-inspired vegetarian recipe, ready in about 10 minutes, pairs couscous, boiling water, olive oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 280 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. 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
• 3 tbsp, freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 1 tsp cumin powder
• 1/2 tsp ground sumac
• 2 tbsp chopped fresh mint
• 3 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
• 1 cup, halved cherry tomatoes
• 1 medium, diced cucumber
• 1/4 cup, finely chopped red onion
• 1/2 cup, crumbled feta cheese
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 2 tbsp toasted pine nuts

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Instructions

1. Step 1: Place 1 cup couscous in a heatproof bowl and pour 1 1/4 cups boiling water over it. Cover tightly and let stand for 5 minutes until water is absorbed.
2. Step 2: Fluff couscous with a fork and stir in 2 tbsp olive oil, 3 tbsp fresh lemon juice, 1 tsp cumin powder, 1/2 tsp ground sumac, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper until evenly combined.
3. Step 3: Add 2 tbsp chopped fresh mint, 3 tbsp chopped fresh parsley, 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes, 1 medium diced cucumber, and 1/4 cup finely chopped red onion. Toss gently to combine.
4. Step 4: Fold in 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese and sprinkle 2 tbsp toasted pine nuts on top before serving chilled or at room temperature.