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Pearl Couscous Chickpea Salad With Lemon Dijon Dressing

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This vibrant Pearl Couscous Chickpea Salad is packed with fresh vegetables, a tangy Lemon Dijon Dressing, and Marinated Tofu Feta. It’s full of fresh Mediterranean-inspired flavors and perfect for an easy summer lunch, a flavorful side dish, or a crowd-pleasing option at picnics and potlucks.

Israeli Couscous Salad in a bowl with tomato, cucumber, chickpeas, basil, and tofu feta.
Table of Contents

Why You'll Love This Recipe

  • Meal-prep friendly: Prep this vegan couscous salad on Sunday and enjoy easy lunches throughout the week! Just add the tofu feta and basil right before serving for the best texture and flavor.
  • Fresh & flavorful: Juicy tomatoes, crunchy cucumber, and a tangy lemon dressing make this a bright, refreshing summer salad.
  • Hearty enough for a main: Chickpeas and tofu feta add plant based protein, and combined with the pearl couscous, this salad is filling enough to enjoy as a standalone lunch.

Key Ingredients

Ingredients for a Summer Couscous Salad, including cucumber, tomatoes, marinated vegan feta, fresh basil, and cooked pearl couscous.
  • Pearl (Israeli) couscous: The hearty base of this fresh summer salad.
  • Chickpeas: To bulk up our salad and add some vegan protein!
  • Tomato & cucumber: For bright, fresh flavor and some crisp texture.
  • Fresh basil: Adds an herby flavor that elevates our salad.
  • Marinated tofu feta: adds a ton of flavor and that "cheesy" element!
  • Lemon Dijon Dressing: the perfect zesty dressing to tie everything together.

How to Make Pearl Couscous Salad

Mixing together a homemade Lemon Dijon Dressing for a fresh summer salad.

Whisk together the Lemon Dijon Dressing ingredients until combined, or add them to a jar and shake well.

Fresh tomatoes, cucumber, and chickpeas mixed together for a Mediterranean Couscous Salad.

In a large bowl, mix together tomato, cucumber, and chickpeas.

Freshly made Israeli Couscous Salad, topped with vegan feta and fresh basil.

Add the cooled couscous and pour on your Lemon Dijon Dressing. Top with tofu feta and fresh basil just before serving. Enjoy!

Recipe Tips

  • Let the couscous cool completely before assembling your salad! This prevents the vegetables from softening.
  • When tossing your salad with the dressing, start with most (but not all) of the dressing and add more as needed. You may not use it all! Save any extra for other salads later in the week.
  • Add the tofu feta and the basil just before serving for the best texture and flavor.
Pearl Couscous Salad served on a yellow plate with a tomato nearby.

Serving Suggestions

  • Serve as a side dish with veggie burgers, such as a Black Bean Burger or a Chickpea Burger.
  • This Couscous Chickpea Salad is filing enough that it can be enjoyed on its own for a fresh lunch.
  • Spoon this salad into pitas or wraps for a handheld meal, or serve over a bed of greens to turn it into a leafy salad.
  • Bring this crowd pleasing salad to picnics and potlucks this spring & summer!

Substitutions & Variations

  • For a different fresh herb flavor, swap the basil for mint or dill.
  • Short on time? Swap in a store-bought vegan feta if needed!
  • Kalamata olives or chopped artichoke hearts make delicious, briny additions.
  • For a little extra bite, add thinly sliced red onion or shallot.
Chickpea Couscous Salad with fresh veggies and vegan tofu feta.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make this Couscous Chickpea Salad ahead of time?

Yes! This salad is great for meal prep. Store it in the fridge and add the tofu feta and fresh basil just before serving for the best texture and flavor.

Can I use regular couscous instead of pearl couscous?

Regular couscous can be used, but it will change the texture quite a bit. Quinoa or orzo are also good alternatives if you're open to slightly different textures.

Is this salad whole food plant based (WFPB)?

Yes! All of the ingredients in this salad are whole or minimally processed and are generally considered whole food plant based. Even the Marinated Tofu Feta is oil-free!

Other Fresh Salads You'll Love

Large bowl of Couscous Salad with serving utensils and scattered basil.
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📖 Recipe

Israeli couscous Chickpea Salad in a large bowl with tomato, cucumber, basil, and tofu feta.

Pearl Couscous Chickpea Salad With Lemon Dijon Dressing

Delaney Marie
This vibrant Pearl Couscous Chickpea Salad is loaded with fresh veggies, tossed in a zesty Lemon Dijon Dressing, and topped with Marinated Tofu Feta. It’s an easy, flavorful option for lunches, sides, or sharing at potlucks & picnics.
*Note that From Start to Finish is an estimate that includes time to make the tofu feta (much of which is passive while the tofu presses and the feta marinates). To make the best use of your time, cook the couscous while the tofu presses, then chop the vegetables and make the dressing while the feta marinates.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe Leave a Review
From Start to Finish1 hour 15 minutes
Servings4 servings

Ingredients

Lemon Dijon Dressing

  • 2 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1.5 tablespoon dijon
  • 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup
  • ½ teaspoon red wine vinegar
  • ¼ teaspoon salt

Couscous Salad

  • 2 large tomatoes - diced
  • 1 medium cucumber - diced
  • ¾ cup canned chickpeas - drained and rinsed
  • 2 cups cooked Pearl Couscous* - cooled (from about 1 cup dry)
  • ¼ cup basil - thinly sliced
  • 1 full recipe of Joyful Balance Tofu Feta - (OR 1 cup store bought vegan feta)

Instructions

  • Add all of the dressing ingredients to a small bowl and whisk until combined, or shake them together in a small jar with a lid.
  • In a large bowl, combine the tomato, cucumber, and chickpeas.
  • Add the cooled couscous and pour most of the dressing over top. Toss until well coated, adding more dressing as desired.
  • Top with the tofu feta and fresh basil and serve immediately. If saving for later, chill the salad and add the tofu feta and basil just before serving. Enjoy!

Notes

*Cooked Pearl Couscous: cook the couscous according to package instructions. Typically, this involves bringing water to a boil, removing from heat, stirring in the couscous, and letting it sit for a few minutes until tender. Drain any excess water if needed.
 
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Stay joyfully balanced!

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