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Couscous salad with cherry tomatoes and fresh basil.

White Bean Couscous Salad

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This flavorful couscous salad works as a vegetarian main dish or a side that pairs well with almost anything!
Course Side Dish
Cuisine American, Italian
Diet Vegetarian
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Marinating time 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings 8 side servings
Calories 240
Author Kim

Ingredients

  • 1½ cups couscous
  • 1/2 tsp turmeric
  • 2 cups boiling water
  • 1/2 cup pine nuts
  • 1 (15 oz) can white beans, such as Great Northern rinsed and drained
  • 1 pint (about 2 cups) cherry or grape tomatoes halved
  • 1 tsp dried basil or 3/4 cup fresh basil shredded

For the dressing:

  • 3 garlic cloves unpeeled
  • 1/3 cup fresh lemon juice about 1 large lemon
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • ground pepper be generous
  • 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil*

Instructions

  • Place the couscous and turmeric in a large bowl and pour on the boiling water, stir, and immediately cover the bowl with a lid or large plate. Allow couscous to sit for 10 minutes. Remove the lid and fluff the couscous with a fork. Let cool.
  • Meanwhile, over medium heat, toast the pine nuts and unpeeled garlic cloves in a small skillet for about 5 mins. Toss often and carefully watch because they burn easily. After the pine nuts have cooled, mix them into the couscous along with the beans, tomatoes, and basil.
  • For the dressing: Peel and mince the garlic and add it, plus all other dressing ingredients in a jar with a tight-fitting lid and shake. Pour the dressing over the couscous mixture and toss well. Let couscous sit with dressing for at least 30 minutes before serving. Serve at room temperature or chilled.

Notes

Couscous salad will last about 4 days in the refrigerator. Refresh the flavors by adding an extra dash of salt or pepper.
It’s not recommended to freeze couscous because freezing pasta will result in a mushy texture once it is thawed out. 
*Use a light tasting olive oil as some extra virgin olive oils can have a bitter taste.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 240kcal | Carbohydrates: 30g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Sodium: 152mg | Potassium: 263mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 496IU | Vitamin C: 12mg | Calcium: 18mg | Iron: 1mg