Lemon Herb Couscous Salad
Five-minute couscous fluffed with lemon, herbs, and whatever crunchy vegetables are around.
Ingredients
- 200 g Couscous
- 1 Lemon
- 1 Cucumber
- 3 tbsp Extra-virgin olive oil
- ¾ tsp Salt
- 150 g Cherry tomatoes (optional)
- 4 tbsp Parsley (optional)
- 2 Scallions (optional)
Method
- Pour boiling water over the couscous and half the salt in a heatproof bowl until just covered, then cover it tightly.
- Let the covered couscous stand to absorb the water.
- Fluff the couscous thoroughly with a fork to separate the grains.
- While the couscous stands, dice the cucumber into small pieces.
- Halve the cherry tomatoes.
- Slice the scallions and chop the parsley.
- Toss the couscous with the vegetables, the lemon zest and juice, and the olive oil; taste and adjust the salt.
- Serve the salad at room temperature — it holds beautifully for lunchboxes.
Tap “Start cooking” for live timers that flag what to get ahead on while something simmers.
About Lemon Herb Couscous Salad
Lemon herb couscous salad is a five-minute formula that works with almost any vegetable you have on hand—a practical template for what to do with couscous when it doesn't need to be a hot main. The couscous itself is bloomed just by pouring boiling water over it and letting it sit covered, a technique that hydrates the grains without additional cooking, then fluffed thoroughly to separate them. Fresh vegetables—cucumber, tomato, herbs—are tossed through still-warm couscous so they release a bit of their moisture and flavour into the grains, and lemon zest and juice add brightness without requiring any vinegar.
This salad is built to be made ahead and kept cold: the couscous soaks up the lemon oil dressing and becomes more flavourful as it sits, and the vegetables hold their crunch because they're tossed in just before serving. It's appropriate for lunchboxes, picnics, and weeknight sides, light enough to serve alongside grilled fish or chicken without feeling heavy. The herbs—parsley especially—add colour and a fresh taste that prevents the salad from becoming boring, even on the third day of leftovers.
Lemon Herb Couscous Salad: frequently asked questions
How many calories are in Lemon Herb Couscous Salad?
A serving has about 309 calories — 8g protein, 45.5g carbs, 11g fat, 4.2g fiber. Figures are estimated from the ingredient amounts and will shift with your portions and brands.
Is Lemon Herb Couscous Salad gluten-free?
As written, no — it contains Couscous. You'd need a certified gluten-free swap for that ingredient to make it gluten-free.
How long does Lemon Herb Couscous Salad take to make?
About 20 minutes start to finish, but only around 13 of those are hands-on — the rest is cooking time. In the Homecooked app the timers and parallel steps are sequenced for you so the hands-on part feels even shorter.
Do I need every ingredient to make Lemon Herb Couscous Salad?
The core ingredients are essential, but you can leave out cherry tomatoes, parsley, scallions — they're optional and mainly there for extra flavor or finish.
How many servings does Lemon Herb Couscous Salad make?
This recipe makes 4 servings. In the app you can scale it up or down and the ingredient amounts adjust automatically.