Simple Lemon Arugula Couscous Feta Salad Recipe
A refreshing and easy-to-make Lemon Arugula Couscous Feta Salad featuring pearl couscous tossed with peppery arugula, crisp cucumbers, briny Kalamata olives, and tangy feta cheese, all brought together with a zesty lemon-honey dressing infused with Italian herbs. Perfect as a light lunch or a vibrant side dish.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Dressing:
- 5 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 teaspoon Italian herb blend
- salt and pepper, to taste
Salad:
- 1½ cups (256.5 g) uncooked pearl couscous
- 5 oz (141.75 g) baby arugula
- 4 Persian cucumbers, sliced
- 1/3 cup (45 g) Kalamata olives
- 5 oz (141.75 g) feta, crumbled
Instructions
- Make the dressing: Add all of the dressing ingredients—olive oil, lemon zest, lemon juice, honey, Italian herb blend, salt, and pepper—to a large bowl. Whisk together until the mixture thickens slightly and emulsifies. Taste and adjust the lemon tang or seasoning with salt and pepper to your preference.
- Cook the couscous: Prepare the pearl couscous according to the package instructions, usually by boiling it in salted water until tender. Once cooked, drain if necessary and let it cool slightly so it won’t wilt the greens when tossed.
- Combine salad ingredients: Add the cooked and slightly cooled couscous to the large bowl containing the dressing. Then add the baby arugula, sliced Persian cucumbers, Kalamata olives, and crumbled feta cheese. Gently toss everything together to coat the salad evenly with the dressing.
Notes
- Ensure the couscous is cooled to prevent wilting the arugula when mixed.
- You can substitute pearl couscous with regular couscous if preferred, but cooking times will vary.
- Add a handful of toasted pine nuts or slivered almonds for extra crunch.
- Adjust the honey amount to taste if you prefer a sweeter or more tart dressing.
- This salad is best served chilled or at room temperature.
Keywords: lemon arugula salad, couscous salad, feta salad, Mediterranean salad, easy summer salad, healthy salad
