Description
A colorful Roasted Vegetable Couscous Salad that’s Mediterranean-inspired, hearty, and versatile. With caramelized veggies, fluffy couscous, fresh herbs, dried cranberries, and a zesty maple–mustard dressing, it’s perfect warm, cold, or at room temperature. Great for meal prep, weeknight dinners, or holiday sides.
Ingredients
Scale
Salad
- 1 cup dry couscous
- 1 ¼ cup boiling water
- 1 red bell pepper, chopped
- 1 small red onion, sliced
- 1 zucchini, chopped
- 1 small sweet potato, peeled and diced
- 1 ½ tbsp olive oil
- Salt & pepper, to taste
- ¼ cup dried cranberries
- ¼ cup roasted pepitas or sunflower seeds
- 2–3 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
Dressing
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tbsp maple syrup or honey
- ½ tsp cinnamon
- Salt & black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Roast vegetables: Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). Toss chopped bell pepper, onion, zucchini, and sweet potato with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Spread on a baking sheet and roast 25–30 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden and tender.
- Cook couscous: In a bowl, pour boiling water over couscous. Cover and let sit 5 minutes, then fluff with a fork.
- Make dressing: Whisk olive oil, apple cider vinegar, Dijon, maple syrup (or honey), cinnamon, salt, and pepper until emulsified.
- Assemble salad: In a large bowl, combine couscous, roasted vegetables, dried cranberries, pepitas, and parsley. Drizzle with dressing and toss gently.
- Serve: Enjoy warm, room temp, or chilled. Garnish with extra herbs or seeds.
Notes
- Roasting tips: Don’t crowd the pan; roast at high heat (425°F) for caramelization; season generously.
- Flavor add-ins: Add chickpeas or tofu for protein; toss in feta or goat cheese; swap couscous for quinoa or bulgur; stir in baby spinach or arugula.
- Meal prep: Store up to 4 days refrigerated; keep dressing separate for best texture.
- Storage: Avoid freezing assembled salad; roasted vegetables can be frozen separately.
- Common mistakes: Overwatering couscous, under-seasoning, overcrowding veggies, or mixing while too hot.
- Health perks: Rich in fiber, antioxidants, and plant-based protein—fits naturally into the Mediterranean diet.
- Category: Salad
- Method: Roasted
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Keywords: roasted vegetable couscous salad, couscous recipes, Mediterranean couscous salad, vegetarian couscous, meal prep salad, roasted veggie salad, maple Dijon dressing, healthy weeknight salad