Israeli Couscous Salad with spinach, tomatoes and a light orange dressing. Make this tasty salad in under 30 minutes.
Perfect served as a side dish for dinner or a main dish for lunch.
Why make this salad
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.
Key ingredients
- Couscous - I've used colored Israeli or pearl couscous
- Fresh spinach
- Cherry tomatoes
- Red onion
- Orange - zest and juice for the vinaigrette.
Step by step directions
- Cook the couscous and allow cool slightly
- Combine the dressing ingredients and pour over the still warm, but not hot couscous
- Allow couscous to cool to room temperature before adding other ingredients
- Slice the spinach into small evenly sliced strips.
- An easy way to cut spinach is to stack the leaves together and then slice into strips.
- Add spinach, tomatoes and red onion to the couscous
- Toss until well mixed
- Cover and refrigerate until chilled
This salad can be eaten right away, but it really is best after refrigerated and all the flavors have a chance to meld together.
Recipe tips
- Adding the dressing to the couscous while the couscous is still warm, allows the couscous to absorb some of the dressing
- This salad is best served fully chilled
- The flavors will continue to meld and develop through the next day
- Eat within 3-4 days
Recipe Faqs
There are three different 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
This salad will last for 3-4 days if covered and stored in the refrigerator.
More 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
If you make this recipe, I’d love to hear about it! Leave a comment 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
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Salad
- 1 cup baby spinach (sliced into ¼ inch strips)
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes (halved)
- ¼ cup red onion (finely chopped)
Dressing
- zest from one orange
- juice from one orange
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil
- 1 clove garlic (minced)
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Cook couscous according to package directions.2 cups Israeli couscous
Dressing
- Mix orange zest, freshly squeezed orange juice, olive oil, garlic and salt and pepper together.zest from one orange, juice from one orange, 2 Tablespoons olive oil, 1 clove garlic, ¼ teaspoon pepper, ¼ teaspoon salt
- 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.1 cup baby spinach, 1 cup cherry tomatoes, ¼ cup red onion, ¼ teaspoon salt
- Salad can be eaten right away or covered and refrigerated until chilled.
Notes
- Adding the dressing to the couscous while the couscous is still warm, allows the couscous to absorb some of the dressing
- This salad is best served fully chilled
- The flavors will continue to meld and develop through the next day
- Eat within 3-4 days
Espi says
PERFECTION! My favorite salad, I would buy it and board it. I have been looking for this recipe for a long time, now that I found it - I might share.😉 Thank you so much for sharing!
Kathy says
Thank you so much! Enjoy 🙂
Ashley says
I am going to make this with some grilled Salmon. I know it is going to be a delicious combo😋
Kathy says
Enjoy!
Nicoletta Sugarlovespices says
Pinned 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 says
Thanks, Nicoletta!
annie@ciaochowbambina says
This is the kind of meal that I crave on these hot and steamy days! So fresh!
Kathy says
This dish is made for summers!
Dawn - Girl Heart Food says
I 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 says
Thanks, Dawn! It is a delicious salad!
David @ Spiced says
I 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 says
Nothing better than getting all the work done early, while the days are still cool!
Mary Ann | The Beach House Kitchen says
This looks so fresh and light for summer Kathy! That orange vinaigrette sounds amazing!
Kathy says
Thanks, Mary Ann! 🙂