Couscous tabbouleh

Tips: Perfect your couscous tabbouleh

Make every bite of your couscous tabbouleh stand out with these tips.

Drain the tomatoes

To avoid a soggy tabbouleh, drain the tomatoes. This keeps the salad fresh and firm. Place the chopped tomatoes in a sieve over a bowl to let the extra juice flow out.

Storing couscous tabbouleh

To enjoy couscous tabbouleh at its peak, consume it soon after preparing it. Store it in a sealed container in the fridge, where it stays fresh for up to four days. For the best taste and texture, eat it within two days.

Try our tasty couscous tabbouleh

Try our recipe for couscous tabbouleh and savour a modern take on classic Middle Eastern flavours. This salad delights with vibrant flavours and exciting textures, mixing fluffy couscous with a refreshing selection of vegetables and herbs. Traditional tabbouleh is made with bulgur, but because of its softer texture, we have picked couscous. It adds a more delicate base that absorbs the bright and fresh flavours of the lemon zest and herbs.

Perfectly cooked couscous with fresh vegetables and herbs

When cooked just right, couscous turns light and airy with slightly nutty notes. Mix it with fresh vegetables, and you will find that the couscous acts as a flavour sponge. It absorbs all the juices and nuances of the fresh cucumber, juicy tomatoes, and crisp red onion. By adding mint and parsley, the couscous tabbouleh gets a particularly refreshing aroma. While the mint provides a cooling, mildly sweet note, the parsley imparts subtle peppery and earthy undertones.

If you are searching for more delicious couscous-based recipes, go for our easy pearl couscous salad. We also have many other quick and easy dishes, like our simple kale pasta with white cheese, Greek pasta salad, or a lovely spinach potato salad.

Topped with toasted pine nuts and creamy white cheese

Once roasted, pine nuts add a toasty depth to the couscous tabbouleh. Their buttery texture contrasts beautifully with the fluffy couscous and the crisp vegetables, creating a well-rounded and exciting taste. The warm, toasted flavour of the nuts also pairs well with the bright lemon zest and fragrant herbs. Sprinkle them on top just before serving to keep them crunchy and ensure they maintain their golden colour. Mixed with tangy white cheese, the couscous tabbouleh gets the perfect balance of textures, ranging from creamy to crispy.

Enjoy as a simple lunch or as part of a platter

Tabbouleh is a popular dish for several reasons. While it is easy to make and tastes delicious, people worldwide also love it because it can be enjoyed at just about any time of day. Prepare it for a tasty lunch, or cook a big portion during the weeknights.

Include the tabbouleh in a mezze platter with Mediterranean favourites like hummus, toasted bread, falafel, and baba ghanoush. Pita bread or lavash bread make excellent companions for the salad, enhancing its bright flavours.

You can also serve couscous tabbouleh with grilled meats such as kabobs or shawarmas. The salad’s freshness perfectly offsets the rich taste of the meat, creating a well-rounded and enjoyable meal. Because it is so easy to store and transport, you can also use couscous tabbouleh as your go-to choice for outdoor picnics.

Get creative with the ingredients

A simple way to get creative with the recipe is to swap couscous with bulgur and try your hand at a classic tabbouleh. Also, consider adding meats like grilled chicken or fish. With their savoury juices, fish and chicken match the salad’s vibrant flavours wonderfully. You can also opt for chickpeas or a selection of roasted vegetables like courgette or sweet peppers. Cook the chickpeas with spices in the oven and enjoy their crispy texture with the soft couscous. Roasted courgettes and peppers provide a lovely sweet and smoky element that comes from caramelising in the oven. For a fruity twist, we suggest pomegranate seeds or dried apricots. They will introduce a sweet and tart flavour that works beautifully against the savoury notes of the white cheese and pine nuts.