Summer couscous
- Difficulty: Easy
- Prep time: 30 min
- Cook time: 5 min
- Serving: 4
- Cost: Average
Listen to the recipe
PRESENTATION
This summer couscous dish is all about packing a punch with color and flavor. Really good stuff. Fresh basil and a bright splash of lemon really wake up the whole dish. Plus, ingredients like cherry tomatoes, feta cheese, olives and chickpeas keep it light and somewhat tangy. You’ll love how this couscous salad brings those classic Mediterranean vibes—imagine sweet homemade red onion mixed with a little bite from the olives and the creamy, moist feta. People in North Africa and across the Mediterranean have been making versions for years, and the fun part? You can swap in whatever fresh summer ingredients you have. And look, tuna goes great if you want something a bit heartier, but even just the veggies and chickpeas make it feel filling without being heavy.
Serve up a big bowl of this easy couscous recipe for a picnic, pack it up for work lunches, or set it out with other summer side dishes at a family cookout. And here's the thing, it’s the kind of dish that gets even better after chilling in the fridge. People often make it ahead of time to let all those flavors soak in—seriously good. The grains stay tender and never get overwhelming. Which is great. Perfect for refreshing grain salads on a hot afternoon. Light Mediterranean oils and basil keep everything extra fresh, and those pops of cherry tomato add a little sweet burst every time you take a bite.
Whether you’re heading to the beach or just enjoying a sunny day at home, this healthy couscous salad fits the scene perfectly. Customizing the add-ins is half the fun. And look, mix in whatever you like to make it your own. With all the color and crunch, it just screams summer—no question. And always goes fast. Everyone gets excited when this shows up. Nobody wants to miss out on a bowl! I mean, enjoy it as a refreshing escape to the flavors of the Mediterranean, all in the comfort of your own backyard.
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INGREDIENTS
- For the couscous
- Couscous 1.7 cups (300 g)
- Water 1.3 cups (320 g)
- Saffron 1 bag
- Extra virgin olive oil to taste
- Fine salt to taste
- For the dressing
- Datterino tomatoes 1.3 cups (200 g)
- Feta cheese 7 oz (200 g)
- Tuna in oil 3.5 oz (100 g) - drained weight
- Taggiasca olives 3.5 oz (100 g)
- Precooked chickpeas ½ cup (80 g) - (drained weight)
- Lemon juice 1.7 tbsp (25 g)
- Lemon peel to taste
- Basil to taste
- Fine salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
- For the sweet-and-sour onions
- Red onions 3.5 oz (100 g)
- Water 0.8 cup (200 g)
- Red wine 3.5 oz (100 g)
- Sugar 2 tbsp (25 g)
How to prepare Summer couscous
To prepare the summer couscous, start with the sweet-and-sour onion: trim the red onion and cut it into wedges 1. In a small saucepan pour the water 2, the red wine 3 and the sugar, then bring to a boil.
Immerse the onion in the boiling liquid 4, then turn off the heat and let it cool completely 5. Once cooled, drain the onion using a sieve and set aside 6.
Move on to the couscous: bring a pot of water to a boil with the saffron 7 and the salt 8. Turn off the heat and pour the couscous into the boiling water 9.
Cover with plastic wrap and let rest for about ten minutes 10. Meanwhile, halve the cherry tomatoes 11. When the couscous has absorbed all the liquid, season with a drizzle of oil 12.
Fluff the couscous with a fork 13, then add the olives 14 and the pre-cooked chickpeas 15.
Also add the cherry tomatoes 16, the onions 17 and the crumbled feta 18.
Season with oil 19 and pepper 20, then flavor with the grated lemon zest 21.
Also pour in the lemon juice 22 and mix gently 23. Let it rest in the refrigerator for 20 minutes 24, covered with plastic wrap, so the flavors can meld.
Finally, add the tuna fillets 25 and the basil leaves 26. Your summer couscous is ready to be served 27!