This quick and easy lemon couscous salad is bursting with citrus flavor and highlighted with mint and feta cheese.
Hi! How was your weekend? What did you do for Mother’s Day? We went out to lunch on Saturday and got takeout for lunch on Sunday. The rest of the time I cooked. Did you go out to eat? I have to say, when we go out, I usually regret spending the money. Except for the convenience of not having to cook and cleanup, it always feels like a waste of money.
On Saturday, we went to a diner for lunch. The boys got grilled cheese sandwiches and fries; Matt got scrambled ham and eggs with hashbrowns and toast; and I got a jalapeno chicken sandwich (without the bun) with fries. Matt and I were both kind of “meh” about our food, and I realized I could have easily made everything at home at least as well for half the price.
Sunday, we ordered sushi delivery, and again I was pretty unimpressed. Everyone else enjoyed theirs, and I certainly wouldn’t have made all that at home, but I didn’t order well and didn’t love my food. I felt like I should take the day off cooking for Mother’s Day, but I made breakfast because it’s hard to get gluten-free breakfast, and I made dinner because I didn’t want to spend any more money ordering out!
The dinners I made the past two days were so good if I do say so myself. Saturday I made Cajun Salmon Alfredo, and Sunday I made homemade pizzas. Matt does the dinner dishes, and I love to cook. There’s really no downside to making a tasty dinner at home!
Speaking of home cooked food being the best, I made this salad for a teacher appreciation potluck lunch last week. I love it that the parents came together to give the teachers a meal from the heart instead of just ordering a catered lunch. I’m sure the teachers loved it too! This salad is perfect for potlucks because it’s tasty cold or room temperature, and it’s easy on the eyes too! I hope you’ll enjoy it soon for dinner at your house or for a summer BBQ.
| Prep Time | 5 minutes |
| Cook Time | 15 minutes |
| Servings |
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- 10 ounces plain couscous
- 2 cups chicken or vegetable broth
- 2 tablespoons white wine vinegar
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 12 fresh mint leaves sliced thin
- 1/2 English cucumber seeded and diced
- 3 Roma tomatoes seeded and diced
- 3 ounces reduced-fat feta
Ingredients
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- Bring broth to a boil. Stir in couscous. Cover, remove from heat, and let stand for 5 minutes. Remove lid, fluff with a fork, and allow to cool uncovered for about 10 minutes.
- Meanwhile, in a large salad bowl, whisk together vinegar, lemon juice, and olive oil. Stir in mint, cucumber, tomatoes, and cooked couscous, and stir together to combine. Add feta and stir gently to evenly distribute the cheese.
If you plan to save leftovers, sprinkle the mint over each serving instead of mixing in to prevent it from browning.
Adapted from Simple Everyday Couscous Salad at Ginger, Lemon & Spice.
Want more savory lemon dishes? Try these!
Lemon Rice with Tuna
Lemon Chicken Pasta
Warm Spinach Salad with Lemon Parmesan Dressing
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I’m all for home cooked meals, too! I hate spending money on bland restaurant food. My food is better! ;-)
I am loving all the textures and flavors of this salad. I could use one for lunch!!
Yes! Even if it’s not better by everyone’s standards (I’m sure not everyone thinks my food is better than a restaurant), I like making what I want just the way I like it. Basically, I’m a cheap control freak! ;) Thank you, Kate!
Going out for a meal and having it be “meh” is the worst thing ever. This salad looks delicious! I’m pretty jealous of the teachers that got to enjoy it!
Thanks, Amanda! Yes, mediocre restaurant food feels like the saddest waste of money.
I can’t wait to try this recipe, I love ‘light’ things like this for lunch!
Thanks, Roxana. I agree, this makes a great lunch. It’s nice too because you could stick it in the fridge and have it ready to go for a few days. Perfect for those of us who work from home!
I bet the teachers loved this salad! Looks so refreshing and flavorful! Really nice!
Thank you, Patricia!
That cajun salmon alfredo sounds amazing – will that be on the blog soon?!
Hi, Beth! That was a mistake that I forgot to link to it. The recipe is here: https://wearychef.com/cajun-salmon-alfredo/ Thank you!!
Well, at least you had some time away from the kitchen… I’m like you and think the food is good but is it worth the price? You’re so sweet to spoil the teachers with this healthy and awesome salad!
Yes, it is nice to take a break from cooking and cleaning, but I am usually happier with my food at home and don’t have the guilt of spending the money! The exception is for lunch out when I have the opportunity to do that. Something like a taqueria meal that is inexpensive and delicious is the kind of dining out treat I love!
That salad looks delicious! I feel exactly the same way about eating out – it’s always kind of nice, but feels like such a waste of money when we can generally make it at home, and often better!
I’m not surprised that many of us feel the same way about eating out since we all love to cook! At home we can make just what we want just the way we like it :) Thank you, Stacey!