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Israeli Couscous Salad with spinach, tomatoes and a light orange dressing.
Israeli Couscous Salad is a delicious salad filled with fresh spinach and tomatoes. This is a perfect summer salad for picnics, BBQs and potlucks because it travels well and you don’t have to worry about keeping it ice cold.
I’ve made couscous salad before but I used the small, traditional sized couscous. This time I used Israeli or Pearl couscous. These are larger in size. I also use a tricolor which adds some fun to the dish.
Are there different types of couscous?
Yes! There are three main types of couscous.
- Moroccan – this is the smallest of couscous and the most common found in the stores
- Israeli – a larger couscous. Also called pearl couscous
- Lebanese – the largest sized couscous
What’s the best way to cut up spinach?
I’ve added fresh spinach to this salad. A quick tip to easily cut the spinach is to stack the leaves, then cut into small strips. This makes it easy to cut and keeps the pieces in a uniform size.
This salad can be eaten right away, but it really is best after refrigerated and all the flavors have a chance to meld together.
I thought the salad was even better eaten the next day, which makes this couscous salad even more perfect for a summertime BBQ. I love dishes that you can make the day before.
Other great salad recipes
- Oriental Chicken Salad
- Heirloom Tomato Salad
- Tuna Cobb Salad
- Pear and Blue Cheese Salad
- Pasta and Pea Salad
- Thai Pasta Salad
- Panzanella Salad
- Asian Cucumber Salad
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If you’ve made Israeli Couscous Salad, leave a comment and rating below and snap a picture and tag me on Instagram @beyondthechickencoop
Check out all my salad recipes!
Israeli Couscous Salad
Ingredients
Couscous
- 2 cups Israeli couscous
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Salad
- 1 cup baby spinach (sliced into 1/4 inch strips)
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes (halved)
- 1/4 cup red onion (finely chopped)
Dressing
- zest from one orange
- juice from one orange
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil
- 1 clove garlic (minced)
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Cook couscous according to package directions.
Dressing
- Mix orange zest, freshly squeezed orange juice, olive oil, garlic and salt and pepper together.
- While couscous is still warm, but not hot, pour dressing over couscous. Stir.
Assemble Salad
- When couscous has cooled to room temperature, add spinach, tomatoes and onions. Stir. Add additional salt and pepper if needed.
- Salad can be eaten right away or covered and refrigerated until chilled.
Nutrition
10 Comments
Nicoletta Sugarlovespices
July 18, 2018 at 7:17 amPinned it right away! Love cous cous and like you, I have only used the regular cous cous. I’m loving this pearl cous cous, and the fresh spinach and tomatoes. Such a great summer dish!
Kathy
July 23, 2018 at 8:44 amThanks, Nicoletta!
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July 16, 2018 at 8:21 amThis is the kind of meal that I crave on these hot and steamy days! So fresh!
Kathy
July 23, 2018 at 8:48 amThis dish is made for summers!
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
July 16, 2018 at 8:03 amI love Israeli couscous and this salad sounds and looks so good! Love the spinach in there and that orange vinaigrette. Perfect for easy weekday lunches 🙂
Kathy
July 21, 2018 at 7:09 amThanks, Dawn! It is a delicious salad!
David @ Spiced
July 16, 2018 at 5:56 amI love the citrus flavor you’ve got going on in this salad, Kathy! It really does sound perfect for hot summer days. And I love how salads like this actually taste better on the second day. That means we can do the work in advance and then sit back and enjoy it later! 🙂 I need to try this one soon for sure!
Kathy
July 19, 2018 at 8:41 amNothing better than getting all the work done early, while the days are still cool!
Mary Ann | The Beach House Kitchen
July 15, 2018 at 8:49 amThis looks so fresh and light for summer Kathy! That orange vinaigrette sounds amazing!
Kathy
July 19, 2018 at 8:35 amThanks, Mary Ann! 🙂