This Trader Joe’s Harvest Couscous Salad is a quick and easy recipe, which is made with pearl couscous, tangy feta, and sweet sun-dried tomatoes. It’s the perfect quick side dish, a healthy and flavorful meal-prep option ready in about 15 minutes.
Jump to RecipeTrader Joe’s Couscous Ingredients
A simple, wholesome list for a perfect, easy side dish.
- 1 ½ cups Trader Joe’s Israeli Couscous (or any pearl couscous)
- 2 cups chicken or vegetable broth (or water)
- 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
For the Salad Add-ins:
- 1 (15-ounce) can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- ½ cup Trader Joe’s Julienne Sliced Sun-Dried Tomatoes in Olive Oil, drained and roughly chopped
- ½ cup crumbled feta cheese
- ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
How To Make Trader Joe’s Couscous
A step-by-step guide to this incredibly simple, no-cook breakfast.
- Cook the Couscous: In a medium pot, bring the chicken broth, olive oil, and salt to a boil over high heat.
- Steam and Fluff: Once the liquid is boiling, turn off the heat. Pour in the couscous, stir once, and immediately cover the pot with a tight-fitting lid. Let the couscous rest and steam for 5-10 minutes, or until all the liquid has been absorbed.
- Combine the Salad: Remove the lid and fluff the cooked couscous with a fork to separate the grains.
- Finish and Serve: To the pot of fluffed couscous, add the chickpeas, chopped sun-dried tomatoes, crumbled feta, and fresh parsley. Drizzle with the lemon juice and toss everything together. Serve the couscous salad warm, or let it cool and serve at room temperature or chilled.
Recipe Tips
For the perfect, fluffy couscous salad every time.
- How to get fluffy, not clumpy, couscous? The key is the ratio of liquid to couscous and the final fluffing step. Using just enough liquid to be absorbed and then immediately fluffing the cooked grains with a fork prevents them from becoming a sticky, solid mass.
- What is Israeli Couscous? Israeli couscous, also known as pearl couscous, consists of small, perfectly round balls of toasted pasta. It’s larger and has a chewier texture than tiny Moroccan couscous. Trader Joe’s sells a great version, often in a tricolor variety.
- Can I make this ahead of time? Absolutely! This couscous salad is a fantastic make-ahead dish for meal prep or parties. The flavors will get even better as it sits in the refrigerator.
- How can I add more protein? For a heartier main course, this salad is delicious with the addition of some Trader Joe’s grilled chicken strips, a can of their smoked trout, or some leftover baked salmon.
What To Serve With Couscous Salad
Perfect pairings for this versatile and healthy dish.
This vibrant and satisfying salad is a wonderful side dish for a variety of meals:
- Grilled chicken, steak, or salmon
- Lamb kebabs or roasted lamb
- As part of a larger Mediterranean-style meze platter with hummus and pita
- On its own for a light and healthy vegetarian lunch
How To Store Couscous Salad
Keeping your make-ahead salad fresh.
- Refrigerate: Store the couscous salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will stay fresh and delicious for up to 5 days, making it a perfect meal prep option.
Trader Joe’s Couscous Nutrition Facts
An estimated guide per serving.
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Carbohydrates: 55 g
- Protein: 12 g
- Fat: 9 g
Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.
FAQs
Yes. If you use the very small Moroccan-style couscous, the cooking method is the same (boil liquid, add couscous, cover, and steam), but the ratio will be different, typically 1 cup of liquid to 1 cup of couscous. The final texture will be much finer and more grain-like.
Yes! This dish is delicious served warm, right after you’ve mixed all the ingredients together. It’s also fantastic served at room temperature or cold, straight from the fridge.
No problem at all. Any brand of pearl/Israeli couscous, canned chickpeas, sun-dried tomatoes, and feta will work perfectly in this recipe.
Try More Recipes:
Trader Joe’s Couscous Recipe
Course: Side DIshCuisine: Mediterranean-InspiredDifficulty: Easy6
servings5
minutes10
minutes350
kcalAn incredibly easy and flavorful couscous salad inspired by Trader Joe’s ingredients, featuring pearl couscous, chickpeas, sun-dried tomatoes, and feta in a simple lemon vinaigrette.
Ingredients
1 ½ cups Trader Joe’s Israeli Couscous
2 cups chicken or vegetable broth
1 (15-oz) can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
½ cup sun-dried tomatoes in oil, chopped
½ cup crumbled feta cheese
¼ cup chopped fresh parsley
1 tbsp olive oil
2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
½ tsp sea salt
Directions
- In a medium pot, bring the broth, olive oil, and salt to a boil.
- Turn off the heat, pour in the couscous, stir once, and cover the pot. Let it stand for 5-10 minutes until the liquid is absorbed.
- Remove the lid and fluff the couscous with a fork.
- Add the chickpeas, sun-dried tomatoes, feta, and parsley to the pot.
- Drizzle with the lemon juice and toss everything to combine.
- Serve warm, at room temperature, or chilled.
Notes
- This recipe is perfect for meal prep, as it keeps beautifully in the refrigerator for several days.
- For extra flavor, you can toast the dry couscous in the pot with the olive oil for a minute before adding the boiling broth.
- Feel free to customize this salad with other ingredients like chopped cucumber, red onion, or olives.
- Using a high-quality chicken or vegetable broth will add a significant amount of flavor.
