Couscous Vegetable Salad

Vegetarian
Vegan
Dairy Free
Health score
16%
Couscous Vegetable Salad
20 min.
6
259kcal

Suggestions


Looking for a vibrant and delicious dish that’s perfect for any occasion? Our Couscous Vegetable Salad is a delightful blend of fresh vegetables and aromatic basil pesto, making it an ideal choice for a side dish, antipasti, or even a light snack. This vegetarian, vegan, and dairy-free recipe is not only quick to prepare—ready in just 20 minutes—but also packed with flavor and nutrition, boasting only 259 calories per serving.

The star of this salad is the fluffy couscous, which serves as a perfect canvas for the colorful medley of crisp-tender zucchini, yellow summer squash, red bell pepper, and red onion. Each bite bursts with freshness, enhanced by the tangy notes of balsamic or cider vinegar and the rich, herbaceous flavor of basil pesto. This dish is not only visually appealing but also a great way to incorporate more vegetables into your diet.

Whether you’re hosting a gathering, looking for a healthy meal prep option, or simply craving something light and refreshing, this Couscous Vegetable Salad is sure to impress. Serve it immediately for a warm, comforting dish, or let it chill in the refrigerator for a couple of hours to allow the flavors to meld beautifully. Enjoy this versatile salad that celebrates the best of plant-based ingredients!

Ingredients

  • ounces basil pesto refrigerated
  • tablespoons apple cider vinegar 
  • cup couscous uncooked
  • large bell pepper red cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 0.5 medium onion red cut into 8 wedges
  • medium to 3 sized squashes yellow cut into 1/4-inch slices (1 1/2 cups)
  • medium zucchini cut into 1/4-inch slices (2 cups)

Equipment

  • bowl
  • frying pan

Directions

  1. Make couscous as directed on package.
  2. Spray 10-inch nonstick skillet with cooking spray; heat over medium-high heat.
  3. Add zucchini, yellow squash, bell pepper and onion; spray lightly with cooking spray. Cook about 5 minutes, stirring frequently, until crisp-tender.
  4. Toss couscous, vegetable mixture, pesto and vinegar in large bowl.
  5. Serve immediately, or cover and refrigerate up to 2 hours before serving.

Nutrition Facts

Calories259kcal
Protein9.95%
Fat44.16%
Carbs45.89%

Properties

Glycemic Index
35.17
Glycemic Load
14.46
Inflammation Score
-8
Nutrition Score
9.7986955875936%

Flavonoids

Luteolin
0.17mg
Isorhamnetin
0.46mg
Kaempferol
0.06mg
Quercetin
2.14mg

Nutrients percent of daily need

Calories:259.01kcal
12.95%
Fat:12.68g
19.5%
Saturated Fat:2.21g
13.83%
Carbohydrates:29.63g
9.88%
Net Carbohydrates:26.25g
9.54%
Sugar:4.15g
4.61%
Cholesterol:2.65mg
0.88%
Sodium:317.11mg
13.79%
Alcohol:0g
100%
Alcohol %:0%
100%
Protein:6.43g
12.86%
Vitamin C:47.07mg
57.05%
Vitamin A:1653.44IU
33.07%
Manganese:0.39mg
19.74%
Fiber:3.39g
13.55%
Vitamin B6:0.25mg
12.34%
Folate:37.4µg
9.35%
Phosphorus:84.01mg
8.4%
Potassium:293.42mg
8.38%
Vitamin B3:1.59mg
7.95%
Calcium:74.67mg
7.47%
Vitamin B2:0.13mg
7.37%
Magnesium:28.57mg
7.14%
Vitamin B1:0.1mg
6.42%
Vitamin B5:0.57mg
5.74%
Copper:0.11mg
5.69%
Iron:0.89mg
4.92%
Vitamin K:3.76µg
3.58%
Zinc:0.52mg
3.5%
Vitamin E:0.51mg
3.41%