This easy pearl couscous salad is made with sweet cranberries, zucchini, tomato, parsley and pine nuts. It’s tossed with a lemony turmeric dressing and makes for one easy side to dinner or light lunch.

Close-up of pearl couscous salad in a bowl.

Sharing an easy couscous salad recipe with you all today.

I got the inspiration for this pearl couscous salad from my local grocery store. They sell a similar salad in their deli department that hubby loves. Of course, you know I had to try my hand at a homemade version!

The ingredients for this couscous salad recipe are pretty simple and definitely tasty (if you ask me). Plus, this salad is easy to make. Aside from cooking the couscous, it’s just mix and toss.

This one has lots of textures too, from the crunchy zucchini and pine nuts to the sweet dried cranberries. You can pretty much say that this couscous salad has it goin’ on, if there ever was such a thing!

What Is Pearl Couscous?

Pearl couscous or Israeli couscous is a type of pasta made of semolina flour and is much larger than the regular (smaller) granular couscous variety. It’s pretty versatile and can be used in place of rice or smaller pastas in things like soups or salads.

Ingredients for a couscous salad recipe.

Can Couscous Be Eaten Cold?

Totally! Matter of fact, this is a cold couscous salad recipe!

Recipe Variations

The cranberries work beautifully in this salad and adds a nice pop of sweetness to the other savoury ingredients. However, golden raisins work great too!
Pine nuts are delicious, but they are also expensive. Feel free to sub in another nut, like sliced almonds.
Instead of parsley, try cilantro (or a combo of the two). A little fresh mint is great too!

Tight-close up of a pearl couscous salad.

Lemon Turmeric Vinaigrette

For this simple vinaigrette, I added turmeric to the mix. Do not, though, get that turmeric on anything you don’t want ruined. That stuff stains, even your hands. Speaking from experience here!

The dressing ingredients for this salad are:

Olive oil
Lemon juice
Maple syrup
Salt
Pepper
Turmeric

Simply place them in a mason jar and get shakin’! Pour over the salad and stir to combine.

Hand holding a jar of lemon turmeric dressing, pouring it over a salad.

What To Serve With This Salad

Of course, you could totally enjoy this pearl couscous salad on its own, but if you want to make things more substantial, serve with any of the following:

Soup
Add in some grilled halloumi cheese (or serve it on the side)
Toss in some tofu
Serve with your favourite protein
Side of olives

More Easy Side Dishes

If you make this couscous salad recipe, be sure to leave a comment below!