Crunchy Couscous Salad

Name: Crunchy Couscous Salad
Total time: 2700 s
Yield: 4-6 servings
Cuisine: British
Ingredients: 2 c couscous; 2 c hot water or stock; 1 Tbsp olive oil; Pinch salt; 1 medium zucchini, diced; 1 c sweetcorn; 1 cucumber; 1 green pepper; 1/2 red onion; 2 tomatoes, deseeded and diced; Fresh coriander or parsley, chopped; 3–4 Tbsp olive oil; Juice of 1–2 lemons lemon juice; 1 tsp ground cumin; 1 tsp crushed garlic; 1 tsp sugar; Salt and black pepper

Bianca Mwale @bianca_eatsy

Zomba, Malawi

A little Cookpad full-circle moment 🥹. A little while ago, I shared a warm couscous recipe on TikTok, and someone recreated it in her own way, turning it into this fresh, crunchy couscous salad. I loved the idea so much I had to ask her if l could share the recipe with you guys.

This version is light, colourful, refreshing, and packed with crunch in every bite 🥗

#CookpadApron2026

This version is light, colourful, refreshing, and packed with crunch in every bite 🥗

#CookpadApron2026

Bianca Mwale @bianca_eatsy

Zomba, Malawi

This version is light, colourful, refreshing, and packed with crunch in every bite 🥗

#CookpadApron2026

This version is light, colourful, refreshing, and packed with crunch in every bite 🥗

Saved

Ingredients

45 minutes

4-6 servings

For the Couscous
2 ccouscous
2 chot water or stock
1 Tbspolive oil
Pinchsalt
Vegetables
1 mediumzucchini, diced
1 csweetcorn
1cucumber
1green pepper
1/2red onion
2tomatoes, deseeded and diced
Fresh coriander or parsley, chopped
Dressing
3–4 Tbspolive oil
Juice of 1–2 lemonslemon juice
1 tspground cumin
1 tspcrushed garlic
1 tspsugar
Salt and black pepper

Saved

Steps

45 minutes

1

Place the couscous in a large bowl. Add salt and olive oil, then pour over the hot water or stock. Cover and let it sit for about 5 minutes until fluffy and water is fully absorbed. Use a fork to separate the grains and allow it to cool slightly
2

Heat a little oil in a pan over medium heat. Add the zucchini and sweetcorn and stir-fry for about 5–7 minutes until lightly golden but still slightly crisp. Set aside to cool
3

Dice the cucumber, green pepper, deseeded tomato, and onion. Add them to a large mixing bowl
4

In a small lidded jar, mix together the dressing ingredients by vigorously shaking. Taste and adjust the lemon, salt, or sugar if needed
5

Add the couscous and stir-fried vegetables to the fresh vegetables. Pour over the dressing and toss well until evenly combined
6

Serve immediately or refrigerate for 10–15 minutes for a fresher flavour