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Pearl couscous salad with herbs, pomegranate seeds and pistachios.
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5 from 4 votes

Festive Pomegranate Pearl Couscous Salad

Festive pomegranate pearl couscous salad recipe brimming with fresh herbs, pistachios, and a zesty, oil-free lemon ginger dressing made in 30 minutes or less.
Prep Time9 minutes
Cook Time20 minutes
Total Time30 minutes
Course: Side Salads
Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Diet: Vegan
Servings: 8
Calories: 251kcal
Author: Denise Perrault

Ingredients

  • 2 cups pearl couscous about 16 ounces
  • 3 cups water check package directions
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 1 large pomegranate 1 ½ cups seeds
  • 4 medium green onions white and green parts chopped
  • 2 cups flat-leaf parsley roughly chopped
  • ½ cup mint leaves chopped
  • ½ cup pistachios unsalted
  • 1 cup lemon juice
  • 2 teaspoons ginger grated or finely minced
  • ½ teaspoon red chili flakes
  • ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
US Customary - Metric

Instructions

  • To cook the couscous, add 3 cups of water and ¼ teaspoon of salt to boiling. Add rinsed couscous, stir, and reduce the heat to medium-low. Cover and simmer for about 15 minutes until the water is absorbed. Consult the package instructions for specific water to couscous recommendations.
  • While the couscous cooks, prep the rest of the ingredients. Mix the lemon juice, grated ginger, red chili flakes, and black pepper in a small bowl.
  • When the couscous is done, promptly remove it from the pot and rinse it in cool water.
  • Add the couscous to a large bowl and mix with half the dressing.
  • Mix in the rest of the ingredients and dressing.
  • Serve at room temperature or cover the bowl with cling film (plastic wrap) and store it in the refrigerator to serve it the next day.

Notes

  • To make ahead, assemble the salad without pistachios. Cover and store in the fridge until the next day. Mix in the pistachios right before serving.
  • Store leftover salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 days. Warm to room temperature and refresh by mixing a little lemon juice.
  • If you want to add more pomegranate flavor, consider adding a tablespoon of pomegranate molasses to the dressing.
  • Couscous is made from durum wheat. Use couscous as a gluten-free alternative.

Nutrition

Calories: 251kcal | Carbohydrates: 46g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Sodium: 95mg | Potassium: 390mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 1529IU | Vitamin C: 38mg | Calcium: 60mg | Iron: 2mg