Vegetarian Mediterranean Couscous Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A refreshing cold couscous salad bursting with vibrant Mediterranean flavors, tossed with crisp cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, and feta cheese. This mediterranean-inspired vegetarian (vegetarian) ready in about 10 minutes pairs couscous, boiling water, halved cherry tomatoes for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 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.

Prep: 10 min Serves 4 Mediterranean cuisine 320 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Place 1 cup couscous in a large bowl and pour 1 1/4 cups boiling water over it. Cover tightly and let stand for 5 minutes until couscous absorbs water and is tender, then fluff with a fork.
  2. Step 2: In a small bowl, whisk together 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil, 2 tbsp lemon juice, 1 minced garlic clove, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper to make the vinaigrette.
  3. Step 3: Add to the fluffed couscous 1 diced cucumber, 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes, 1/4 cup finely diced red onion, 1/3 cup sliced Kalamata olives, 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese, and 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley. Pour the vinaigrette over the salad and toss gently to combine all ingredients evenly. Chill for 15 minutes before serving to marry flavors.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Vegetarian Mediterranean Couscous Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette take to make?

Total time is about 10 minutes (10 min prep + 0 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Vegetarian Mediterranean Couscous Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep couscous from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Vegetarian Mediterranean Couscous Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Vegetarian Mediterranean Couscous Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

Is Vegetarian Mediterranean Couscous Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette vegetarian?

Yes — this recipe is tagged vegetarian based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.

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