Greek Couscous Salad Recipe

This Greek couscous salad makes a wonderful main meal or delicious side dish.

A while back, I reminded my Facebook followers that there is a big difference between couscous and whole wheat couscous. A reader who is also a chef gave me the idea for this recipe. I took the rough outline and ran with it. I swear, sometimes I get the majority of my inspiration from you guys! I really do!

A large helping of this clean eating Greek couscous salad falls over the entirety of a white plate. You can see chunks of tomatoes, olives and feta cheese.

What Is Couscous?

For those of you that are not familiar with it, couscous is pasta, not a grain. And just like many kinds of pasta on the market, it comes in one of two ways. Made with white flour or whole wheat.

Recipe Additions

If you wish, you can add any of the following to round out the salad a bit more.

  • Fresh mint
  • Greek salad dressing
  • Chicken
  • Lemon juice
  • Cucumbers
  • Any extra veggies you’d like to add.
  • Oregano – fresh or dried.
  • A splash of red wine vinegar

Recipe Tips

  1. Make sure you cook this to the package directions. While I give instructions below, the brand you purchase may have other instructions that will work better.
  2. Remember to fluff it with a fork when it’s done cooking.
  3. Let the couscous cook a bit before making your pasta salad.
  4.  You can cook the couscous in chicken broth if you want to add even more flavor. It’s a great way to add additional flavor and protein and still end up with the intended Greek flavors.

About The Ingredients

Water – Use good quality, filtered water that you would be comfortable drinking.

Dry whole wheat couscous – Most health food stores will carry the whole grain version. But you may want to call ahead to be sure.

Fresh spinach – I like to use baby spinach leaves that are already prepped.

Garlic cloves – You can mince or press these. I love to press them because it seems to add more flavor.

Olive oil – You can use any oil you like, but olive oil goes really well with this dish.

Red onion – Use any color onion you have on hand, but red onions are the sweetest and therefore taste best in this recipe.

Kalamata olives – If Kalamata olives are too strong for you, you can substitute them with black olives.

Tomatoes – Any type you’d like to use.

Avocado – Any type.

Chickpeas – I cook mine at home to reduce the sodium content, but you can use canned chickpeas too. Just check for added sugar.

Feta cheese crumbles – Any type you prefer.

How To Make Greek Couscous Salad

In a large pot, bring the water to a boil. 

The moment it boils, pour in couscous and remove the pot from heat.

Be sure to put the lid on the pot while the couscous soaks up the water.

Sauté spinach and garlic in the olive oil until wilted.

Chop the onion, slice the olives, tomatoes, and avocados, 

Open your beans, drain, and rinse.

Toss everything together in a large mixing bowl.

Plate your food and top it with feta.

Add salt and pepper to taste.

Storage

Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 3 or 4 days in an airtight container.

Freezing

This recipe isn’t recommended for freezing.

Reheating

No need. This is best served cold or at room temperature.

More Couscous Recipe

SUBSCRIBE

Remember to subscribe to my free newsletter to receive all my latest recipes in your inbox. Click here to sign up!

Greek Couscous Salad Recipe Card
Copyright Information For The Gracious Pantry

A closeup of Greek couscous salad.

Greek Couscous Salad

No ratings yet
Print Pin Rate Add to Collection
Course: Main Course, Pasta
Cuisine: Greek
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Servings: 24 servings
Calories: 165kcal

Ingredients

  • 2 ½ cups water
  • 2 cups dry whole wheat couscous
  • 6 cups fresh spinach
  • 4 medium garlic cloves (minced)
  • 1 tbsp. olive oil
  • 1 ½ cups chopped red onion
  • 15 oz. kalamata olives (black olives work too)
  • 2 cups chopped tomatoes
  • 2 cups chopped avocado
  • 15 oz. can chickpeas (home cooked works too)
  • 1 cup feta cheese crumbles

Instructions

  • In a large pot, bring the water to a boil. 
  • The moment it boils, pour in couscous and remove pot from heat.
  • Be sure to put the lid on the pot while the couscous soaks up the water.
  • Sauté spinach and garlic in the olive oil until wilted.
  • Chop the onion, slice the olives, tomatoes and avocados, 
  • Open your beans, drain and rinse.
  • Combine everything in a large mixing bowl.
  • Plate your food and top with feta.
  • Add salt and pepper to taste.

Notes

Please note that the nutrition data given here is a ballpark figure. Exact data is not possible.

Nutrition

Serving: 0.5cup | Calories: 165kcal | Carbohydrates: 22g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 5mg | Sodium: 431mg | Potassium: 193mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 845IU | Vitamin C: 6.1mg | Calcium: 72mg | Iron: 1.5mg

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

14 Comments

  1. Kelsey @ Clean Teen Kelsey says:

    Ah, I did not know that cous cous was not a grain! I also wondered if there was a difference between white and whole wheat. My guess is that the box of plain cous cous I found in my pantry was white.. darnit.

    1. The Gracious Pantry says:

      Kelsey – You’re not alone! I think a lot of folks will take a second look at their pantry. But at least you know now! Take care.

  2. Chef Vanda says:

    Thank you Tiffany, you are very kind to mention me. Happy to have inspired you to write and share this wonderful and clean recipe. As an Organic Chef I do not use pasta or canned goods so the only thing I would change is make the Couscous medium grain Bulgar Wheat and use dry Garbanzo beans and fresh garlic. I love how you give tips on how to get the Munchkins involved in making this meal. It is so important to do that with your small ones…if they help in shopping and in preparing the meal they are more likely to eat it which is your ultimate goal! I love and respect your style and what you do!! Keep up the good work and keep sharing awesome info with your readers.
    Namaste,
    Chef Vanda

    1. The Gracious Pantry says:

      Chef – Thank you so much! Your suggestions sound wonderful! And thank you for the inspiration!

  3. Abby @ abby & her boys says:

    Hi! I just found your blog through a friend and I love it. Thanks! I’ll be sending my readers your way. Abby

    1. The Gracious Pantry says:

      Abby – Welcome! Thank for stopping by!

  4. Anna Johnston says:

    Great post Tiff. Chef Vanda’s a gem., loved her comment, great info.

    1. The Gracious Pantry says:

      Anna – She really is! Thanks for stopping by.

  5. Anonymous says:

    Natausha – I’m happy you enjoyed it!

  6. Diana Vachon says:

    I could not survive without this blog! LOVE it! Thanks for all the awesome recipes and ideas! Clean eating can be so hard sometimes, but this makes it simple and for that I am grateful!

    1. graciouspantry says:

      Awww, thanks so much!

  7. Made this for lunch today. I used broth instead of water for the couscous and added juice from one lemon. Thank you for the recipe. Delicious!

    1. The Gracious Pantry says:

      April – I’m so happy you enjoyed it! 🙂