Have you been eating the same thing for lunch every day this week? It’s time to break out of that routine and try something new and exciting – like our couscous salad with tuna and tomato!
This recipe is absolutely out of this world, and we couldn’t be prouder. It’s made with just a few simple ingredients, so you can easily prepare it while you’re on lunch break, or make it at the beginning of the week, throw it in the fridge, and take it with you to the office.
In this post, we’ll walk you through our couscous salad recipe from start to finish. We’ll cover all of the ingredients you need, the steps for making the salad, and tips for making it taste as great as possible.
Let’s get cooking!
What Ingredients Do I Need for Couscous Salad?
To make getting your ingredients even easier, you can order them through JOW via a personalized, optimized grocery list. Then, we’ll arrange for you to pick up your groceries or have them delivered—whichever is easier for you. Here’s everything you need to make our delicious couscous salad:
- ¼ cup pearl couscous. Couscous is a wheat-based grain made from semolina flour, and it’s native to countries in North Africa and other parts of the world. It’s traditionally used as an ingredient in stews, but you can also include it in cold dishes like this one. Try using Israeli couscous for this recipe if you can find it.
- ½ cup cherry tomatoes. These delicious little tomatoes make the perfect addition to our Mediterranean couscous salad. Their sweetness and tartness pair perfectly with the couscous, and their flavor really pops thanks to the addition of acidic ingredients like lemon juice.
- Half a green bell pepper. Peppers are some of the most nutritious veggies around. They’re loaded with fiber and water but have minimal carbohydrate content. Like the cucumber, the bell pepper is a staple in Mediterranean side dishes like couscous and tabbouleh salads.
- ¼ Lemon. Squeezing lemon juice onto this dish gives it extra acidity.
- Fresh Parsley. A bit of fresh parsley gives this recipe a pleasantly fresh flavor without adding any additional calories. You can also toss in other fresh herbs like dill or garlic to enhance the flavor of the dish.
- 1 ¼ cup of Tuna. Tuna is an excellent source of lean protein, and it pairs perfectly with the Mediterranean spices, vegetables, and grains in this salad.
The Couscous Recipe, Step by Step
Follow these instructions to make a delicious bowl of couscous salad.
Step One: Prep the Couscous
Begin by adding either Israeli or regular couscous to a small bowl.
You don’t have to boil water for this recipe. Instead of cooking the couscous in a pot or saucepan, all you need to do is add in ⅓ cup of cold water. Cover your bowl and let the couscous sit in the water for five minutes.
Step Two: Wash and Cut the Veggies
Next, wash your pepper, tomatoes, and any other veggies you’ve decided to use. Additional veggie options include onions (either red onion or scallions are ideal), cucumbers, or red and yellow peppers.
Cut your veggies into small pieces. Chop the tomatoes in half and cut the peppers into thin strips.
Set the veggies aside in a large bowl for later.
Step Three: Finish the Couscous
Once the couscous has sat in the water for five minutes, fluff it with a fork. After absorbing the water, the couscous should have a tender texture.
Add the couscous into the bowl with the veggies and stir it in with your fork.
Step Four: Finishing Touches
Add the tuna to the bowl with the other ingredients.
Take a small bowl and combine lemon juice, olive oil, and salt and pepper. Whisk these ingredients together, adding in a teaspoon of red wine vinegar if you want. Then, pour the combined ingredients over the large bowl and stir them in.
Serve the salad and enjoy!
Switching Things Up a Bit
You can’t go wrong with taking the most straightforward approach to making this delicious salad. However, there’s plenty more you can do with this couscous-based dish.
Here are a few creative ways to switch things up with this recipe.
- Try using chicken instead of tuna. You’ll get the same delicious salad, but without the fishy taste. It’s a perfect substitution for anyone who isn’t a fan of fish.
- Sprinkle feta cheese and kalamata olives on top for an extra Mediterranean flair.
- Garnish the salad with fresh mint leaves.
- Top this dish off with chickpeas or black beans for extra protein and fiber.
Want More Cooking Inspiration?
If you’re always on the lookout for new recipes to try, you’ve come to the right place. Make sure to visit our cooking page, where you’ll find tons of delicious recipes for breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, drinks, and more.
In addition, you can also check out our blog to get helpful tips for taking your at-home cooking to the next level.
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