Couscous Chickpeas Salad

Couscous chickpeas salad is a vibrant and nutritious dish that brings together an array of flavors and textures. Whether you’re looking for a hearty lunch, a refreshing side dish, or a healthy meal prep option, this salad is the perfect choice. Packed with wholesome ingredients like couscous, chickpeas, fresh vegetables, and a zesty dressing, this dish offers a perfect balance of taste and nutrition.

Why You’ll Love This Couscous Chickpeas Salad

1. Quick and Easy to Prepare – This recipe requires minimal cooking and can be assembled in under 30 minutes.
2. Nutrient-Dense – With chickpeas providing protein and fiber, fresh vegetables adding vitamins, and a flavorful dressing offering antioxidants, this salad is both delicious and healthy.
3. Great for Meal Prep – It stores well in the fridge, making it a great option for a make-ahead lunch or dinner.
4. Versatile and Customizable – You can tweak the ingredients and dressing to match your preferences or dietary needs.

Ingredients

For the Salad:

• couscous
• chickpeas
• white cabbage
• carrot
• red onion
• green olives
• pine nuts
• fresh parsley

For the Dressing:

• tomato paste
• harissa paste
• dried herbs (such as oregano or thyme)
• garlic powder
• paprika
• olive oil
• lemon juice
• Salt to taste

Health Benefits of Couscous Chickpeas Salad

This salad is more than just a delicious dish; it’s packed with essential nutrients that offer numerous health benefits:

• Couscous is a great source of selenium, a powerful antioxidant that supports immune function and heart health.
• Chickpeas are rich in plant-based protein and fiber, which help in digestion and keep you full longer.
• White Cabbage is loaded with vitamins C and K, which are great for skin and bone health.
• Carrots provide beta-carotene, essential for eye health.
• Olives are packed with healthy monounsaturated fats and antioxidants.
• Pine Nuts are rich in healthy fats and magnesium, which contribute to better energy levels and muscle function.
• Parsley is a great source of vitamin K and antioxidants, promoting better circulation and reducing inflammation.

Variations and Substitutions

One of the best things about this salad is its versatility. Here are some variations you might want to try:

• Make it gluten-free: Substitute quinoa or millet for couscous to make this salad gluten-free.
• Enhance the crunch: Add chopped almonds, sunflower seeds, or pumpkin seeds for additional texture.
• Include more veggies: Bell peppers, cucumbers, or cherry tomatoes would make a great addition.
• Adjust the spice level: If you prefer a milder taste, reduce the harissa or omit it altogether. For extra heat, add a pinch of cayenne pepper.

Storage and Meal Prep Tips

• This salad stays fresh in the fridge for up to 4 days when stored in an airtight container.
• If making ahead, keep the dressing separate and mix it in just before serving to keep the vegetables crisp.
• Serve leftovers as a filling for pita bread or as a side to grilled meats or roasted vegetables.

Check out more recipes:

Loaded Roasted Sweet Potato

Buckwheat and Chickpea Salad

Quinoa and White Bean salad

Savory Chickpea Granola Clusters

Couscous chickpeas salad

tastysimplyvegan

Couscous chickpeas salad is a vibrant and nutritious dish that brings together an array of flavors and textures. Whether you’re looking for a hearty lunch, a refreshing side dish, or a healthy meal prep option, this salad is the perfect choice. Packed with wholesome ingredients like couscous, chickpeas, fresh vegetables, and a zesty dressing, this dish offers a perfect balance of taste and nutrition.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 20 minutes mins

Course Salad

Cuisine Mediterranean

Servings 4

Ingredients

  

Salad

• 1 cup couscous
• 1 cup water
• 1 can (1½cup) chickpeas drained and rinsed
• 1 cup white cabbage shredded
• 1 large carrot grated
• 1 small red onion thinly sliced
• ½ cup green olives sliced
• ⅓ cup pine nuts toasted
• ¼ cup parsley chopped

Dressing

• 2 tsp tomato paste
• ½ tsp harrisa paste adjust for spice preference
• 1 tsp dried herbs oregano or thyme, or mixed
• ½ tsp garlic powder
• ½ tsp paprika
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 2 tbsp lemon juice
• salt to taste

Instructions

 

• Start by cooking the couscous. Simply bring 1 cup of water to a boil, add a pinch of salt, and remove from heat. Stir in the couscous, cover, and let it sit for about 5 minutes until the grains absorb the liquid. Fluff it with a fork to separate the grains.
• Toast the pine nuts. Heat a dry skillet over medium heat, add the pine nuts, and stir frequently for 2-3 minutes until they turn golden brown. Be careful not to burn them.
• While the couscous is resting, chop and prepare the vegetables. Shred the white cabbage finely, grate the carrot, and finely chop the red onion. Slice the green olives and chop the parsley.
• Make the dressing. In a small bowl, whisk together the tomato paste, harissa, dried herbs, garlic powder, paprika, olive oil, lemon juice, and salt. Adjust seasoning according to your taste preference.
• In a large mixing bowl, combine the fluffed couscous, chickpeas, cabbage, carrot, red onion, green olives, and pine nuts. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss everything together until well coated. Garnish with fresh parsley.
• You can serve this salad immediately or let it chill in the refrigerator for an hour to allow the flavors to meld together.

Keyword arugula salad, cabbage, carrot, chickpea salad, chickpeas, couscous, green olives, harissa, red onion, tomato paste