When I’m not traveling, I like to bring the flavors of the Mediterranean to my dining table. What can I say, eating is my favorite version of armchair travel! And this Mediterranean pearl couscous recipe is so refreshing.
It’s a medley of Mediterranean flavors; Israeli couscous, Greek olives, and Italian-inspired sautéed spinach and sun dried tomatoes. So if you’d rather be on a Mediterranean cruise this summer, but are stuck at home instead, whip up this easy Mediterranean couscous salad for your next dinner side dish or picnic. If you’re ready to get started, just hit the “jump to recipe” button. Otherwise scroll through for some helpful tips.
Pearl Couscous vs Regular Couscous
Did you know, pearl couscous is not actually couscous? Pearl couscous, also known as Israeli couscous, is a type of toasted pasta in the shape of tiny pearls (hence the name). It’s also called Israeli couscous since it was developed in Israel when rice was scarce in the 1950s.
What Is The Ratio Of Water To Pearl Couscous?
Making pearl couscous is similar to making rice or quinoa where you bring a small pot of water to boil and then lower the heat and cover the pot with a lid to let it simmer. The ratio of water to pearl couscous is 1 1/2 cups of water to 1 cup of couscous.
Instead of a pot, you could also use a large non-stick sauce pan that has a lid. That would make this pearl couscous recipe a one-pot meal!
Mediterranean Pearl Couscous Salad Ingredients
- garlic – You could use fresh pressed garlic or the kind that comes minced in a jar.
- pearl couscous – This pearl couscous recipe could also work with quinoa or regular couscous. But I like the texture of pearl couscous.
- sun dried tomatoes – Sun dried tomatoes add a hint of sweetness to the dish. I like to use the dried packaged kind, not the marinated ones.
- kalamata olives – I chop up the kalamata olives to give this Mediterranean couscous salad a meaty texture and hint of sharp flavor in every bite.
- shallot – Shallots are a bit more delicate in flavor than an onion. In the recipe below, I add them toward the end of cooking to keep their texture and flavor. But if you need to substitute with a purple onion, sauté the diced onion along with the garlic at the start of the recipe.
- marinated baby artichoke hearts – The smaller size of the baby artichoke hearts have a creamier flavor and are easier to eat as you don’t get the leathery chewy texture of larger artichokes.
- feta cheese – A sprinkling of crumbled feta cheese on top of this Mediterranean pearl couscous salad adds a nice finishing touch with the creamy tart flavor of feta.
- spinach – Spinach, honestly, doesn’t add much flavor. But what it doesn’t have in flavor it makes up for in appetizing color and nutrients.
- parsley – Garnishing the finished pearl couscous salad with a bit of fresh chopped parsley adds a bit of fresh, herbaceous flavor.
- olive oil – You’ll need a little extra virgin olive oil for sautéing.
- water – You’ll need a cup and a half of water on hand for making the pearl couscous.
Pearl Couscous Salad Recipe – Step-by-Step
Start by heating 1 tablespoon of olive oil in large non-stick skillet on low-medium heat. Once the oil is hot, sauté the garlic for 2-3 minutes until fragrant.
Carefully add the 1 cup of pearl couscous and 1/2 cups water to the skillet and increase the heat to bring to a boil. Once the water is at a rolling boil, reduce the heat to low and cover with a lid. Let the couscous cook for 8-10 minutes until the water is absorbed.
While the pearl couscous is cooking, chop the kalamata olives. Slice the sun dried tomatoes into strips. Slice the baby artichoke hearts in half. And dice the shallot.
When the pearl couscous is done, it will have absorbed most of the water. Increase the heat to medium and add the spinach and cook for 2-3 minutes until the spinach is wilted.
Season with salt and pepper, then stir in the chopped olives, sun dried tomatoes, baby artichoke hearts, and shallots.
Top the Mediterranean couscous salad with crumbled feta cheese. I like to just crumble it with my hands right over the couscous medley in the skillet.
Season with more salt and pepper (if you like) and top with fresh parsley.
Serve with your favorite fish or chicken recipe, or enjoy this Mediterranean Couscous Salad on it’s own! Makes 4 servings.
Mediterranean Pearl Couscous Salad
A delicious Mediterranean-inspired pearl couscous salad that's perfect as a side dish.
Ingredients
- 1 - 2 cloves garlic, pressed
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
- 1 1/2 cup water
- 1 cup pearl couscous
- 3 oz (1 cup) sun dried tomatoes
- 1/4 cup shallot, chopped
- 1/3 cup kalamata olives, chopped
- 1/2 cup marinated baby artichoke hearts, sliced in half
- 4 oz feta cheese
- 2 cups fresh spinach
- 1 bunch fresh parsley
- salt + pepper
Instructions
- Start by heating 1 tablespoon of olive oil in large non-stick skillet on low-medium heat. Once the oil is hot, sauté the garlic for 2-3 minutes until fragrant.
- Carefully add the 1 cup of pearl couscous and 1/2 cups water to the skillet and increase the heat to bring to a boil. Once the water is at a rolling boil, reduce the heat to low and cover skillet with a lid. Let the pearl couscous cook for 8-10 minutes until the water is absorbed.
- While the pearl couscous is cooking, chop the kalamata olives. Slice the sun dried tomatoes into strips. Slice the baby artichoke hearts in half. And dice the shallot.
- When the pearl couscous is done, it will have absorbed most of the water. Increase the heat to medium, add the spinach and cook for 2-3 minutes until the spinach is wilted.
- Season with salt and pepper, then stir in the chopped olives, sun dried tomatoes, baby artichoke hearts, and shallots.
- Top the Mediterranean couscous salad with crumbled feta cheese and fresh parsley.
Notes
- Substitute fresh garlic for 1 teaspoon jarred minced garlic, or 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder.
- If the sun dried tomatoes seem a little dry or tough, soak them in a bowl of warm water while the pearl couscous is cooking. Drain them from the water when ready to use.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 4 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 223Total Fat: 12gSaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 25mgSodium: 509mgCarbohydrates: 21gFiber: 4gSugar: 5gProtein: 8g
Nutrition information provided is only an estimate.
What To Serve With This Mediterranean Couscous Salad
This salad is great on it’s own, but if you’d like to have it as a side dish, it pairs well with these recipes:
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