Flavor-Packed Mediterranean Couscous Salad with Smoked Tomatoes

Add Preferred Source

Couscous salads are always a hit, but when you elevate them with Mediterranean flavors and smoked tomatoes, they become truly irresistible. Smoked tomatoes are the star of this easy recipe, and they transform a humble pasta salad into a show-stopping side.

I love smoked tomatoes. They are ridiculously easy to make, and I will often throw a handful of tomatoes on the smoker whenever I fire it up. I also love the flavor that they add to this easy couscous salad. It’s loaded with flavor, and you get a smoky hit of tomato in every bite.

Smoke the tomatoes ahead of time and pop them into the fridge until you’re ready to use them. I sometimes even freeze the tomatoes. They will lose some water when you thaw them, but for a salad, they’re perfectly fine.

Ingredients

• Water
• Better Than Bouillon vegetable base
• Onion powder
• Garlic powder
• Dry couscous
• Feta cheese
• Smoked tomatoes – Diced.
• Cucumber – Diced.
• Bell pepper – Diced.
• Parsley – Chopped.
• Shallot – Chopped fine.
• Virgin olive oil
• Lemon juice
• Whole grain Dijon mustard

How To Make Mediterranean Couscous Salad With Smoked Tomatoes

1. Bring the water to a boil in a medium saucepan. Stir in the Better Than Bouillon vegetable base, garlic powder, onion powder and salt until dissolved.
2. Add the couscous to the boiling water. Stir well, cover, and remove from heat. Let it sit for 5 minutes, then fluff it with a fork.
3. Chill the couscous in the fridge for about an hour.
4. Combine the couscous, feta cheese, smoked tomatoes, cucumber, bell pepper, parsley, and shallot in a large bowl.
5. Whisk together the extra virgin olive oil, lemon juice, and whole grain Dijon mustard in a small bowl to make the dressing.
6. Pour the dressing over the couscous mixture. Toss everything together until well combined.
7. Season to taste with salt and pepper, if desired.

Step-By-Step Process

Chef Jenn’s Tips

• Smoke the tomatoes ahead of time. They’ll keep in the fridge for 3-4 days.
• Make sure to fluff the couscous with a fork to keep it light and fluffy and cool the couscous before mixing with the other ingredients.
• You can use sundried tomatoes or marinated tomatoes in place of the smoked tomatoes.
• Let the salad sit for a few hours in the fridge to allow the flavors to come together.

Make It A Meal

Mediterranean Couscous Salad with Smoked Tomatoes is perfect on its own, but it also pairs wonderfully with grilled chicken, shrimp, or lamb. Serve it with a side of warm pita bread and hummus for a complete Mediterranean feast. For a vegetarian option, add some chickpeas or grilled halloumi cheese.

Storage

Store them in the freezer for 3-4 months, or keep them in the fridge for about a week. For longer storage in the fridge, pack them in olive oil. Bonus: the olive oil will take on a wonderful smoky flavor!