Vibrant Vegetarian Mediterranean Couscous Salad Meal Prep Delight
This Vegetarian Mediterranean Couscous Salad Meal Prep is a colorful, nutritious dish that’s perfect for healthy and stress-free eating throughout the week.
Equipment
- - Pot
- - Large bowl
- Whisk
- - Knife
- Cutting board
Ingredients
Salad Base
- 1 cup Israeli Couscous or quinoa for gluten-free
- 1 can Chickpeas drained and rinsed
Fresh Veggies
- 1 medium Cucumber diced
- 1 medium Yellow Pepper diced, or red bell pepper
- 0.5 medium Red Onion finely chopped
- 1 cup Cherry Tomatoes halved
Herbs & Spices
- 0.25 cup Parsley chopped
- 1 teaspoon Oregano or dried Italian herbs
- 1 teaspoon Dill or fennel fronds
- 0.5 teaspoon Red Pepper Flakes omit for milder salad
Dressing
- 0.25 cup Olive Oil can substitute with neutral oil
- 2 tablespoons Red Wine Vinegar or apple cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoons Lemon Juice freshly squeezed
- 2 cloves Garlic minced
- to taste Salt
- to taste Black Pepper
Instructions
Preparation
- Begin by dicing the cucumber and yellow pepper, finely chopping the red onion, halving the cherry tomatoes, mincing the garlic, and chopping the parsley. Rinse and drain the chickpeas to ensure they're clean.
- Bring a pot of water to a boil and add the Israeli couscous. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes until tender. Allow it to cool in the pot for 30 minutes after cooking to maintain its texture.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the olive oil, red wine vinegar, freshly squeezed lemon juice, minced garlic, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes. Let the dressing sit for a minute to allow the flavors to meld together.
- In a large bowl, gently mix the cooled couscous with the prepared vegetables, chickpeas, herbs, and dressing. Toss everything until the couscous is fully coated in the delicious flavors.
- Allow the salad to rest at room temperature for at least 30 minutes to let the flavors mingle and develop.
- Portion out the salad into meal prep containers. It can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, ready for you to enjoy throughout the week.
Notes
Optional: Garnish with additional parsley or a sprinkle of crumbled feta before serving for an extra touch.