Vegan Couscous Salad

5 from 1 vote

Prep Time: 5

Cook Time: 10

Total Time: 15

Serving Size: 6 people

Author Puja Verma

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DESCRIPTION

This vegan couscous salad is perfect for your summer lunch, picnic or side dish. Tender and chewy Israeli couscous tossed with a hearty dairy-free pesto sauce, and tossed with refreshing and colorful vegetables. Serve it with or without vegan feta cheese.

INGREDIENTS

▢ 1 cups Israeli couscous uncooked
▢ 1 cup mini cucumbers sliced
▢ 1 cup yellow bell pepper diced
▢ 1 cup red onion diced
▢ ¼ cup sun-dried tomato sliced
▢ ¼ cup kalamata olives sliced
▢ 1 cup grape tomatoes sliced
▢ 1 cup dairy-free pesto
▢ ¼ cup vegan feta cheese optional

METHOD

Cook couscous per package instructions. Drain, rise with cold water, and set aside in a mixing bowl.
Meanwhile, slice or dice the cucumbers, tomatoes, sun-dried tomatoes, onion, bell pepper, olives into bite size pieces. Set it aside while you make the pesto.
Recipe to make - Dairy-free pesto.
Mix the pesto with the couscous salad till well combined.
Add all the chopped veggies to the couscous and toss everything together.
Optional: Garnish with vegan feta cheese before serving.

NOTES

Use fresh ingredients: This salad is all about freshness, so use the best quality produce you can find.
Chop the veggies evenly: Try to chop your veggies into similar-sized pieces for an even disbursement of flavor in each bite.
Don't skip the rinse: Rinse the cooked couscous under cold water to stop the cooking process and cool it down.
Save the pesto: Mix in the pesto right before serving your salad to keep the flavors vibrant and fresh.
Add cheese last: If you're using vegan feta, add it just before you’re ready to eat so it retains its texture.
Let it chill: Allow your salad to chill in the fridge for a bit before serving. This helps the flavors develop and meld together.
Make it ahead: This salad tastes even better the next day. I suggest making a large batch for meal prep or make-ahead lunches.

NUTRITION

Course: Salad, Side Dish

Cuisine: All

Keyword: Vegan couscous salad