Mediterranean Couscous Salad Hot Honey (Printable Version)
Fluffy couscous tossed with Mediterranean veggies, feta, and a spicy-sweet hot honey lemon vinaigrette.
# What You'll Need:
→ Couscous & Salad Base
01 - 1 cup couscous
02 - 1 cup boiling water
03 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
04 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
05 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
06 - 1 cucumber, diced
07 - 1/2 red onion, finely chopped
08 - 1/2 cup Kalamata olives, pitted and halved
09 - 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
10 - 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
11 - 1/4 cup chopped fresh mint (optional)
→ Hot Honey Lemon Vinaigrette
12 - 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
13 - 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
14 - 1 tablespoon hot honey
15 - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
16 - 1 clove garlic, minced
17 - Salt and black pepper, to taste
# How To Make It:
01 - In a heatproof bowl, combine couscous, salt, and olive oil. Pour boiling water over the couscous, cover tightly, and let sit for 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork and let cool to room temperature.
02 - In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled couscous, halved cherry tomatoes, diced cucumber, finely chopped red onion, pitted and halved Kalamata olives, crumbled feta cheese, chopped parsley, and mint if using.
03 - In a small bowl or jar, whisk together the fresh lemon juice, extra-virgin olive oil, hot honey, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, salt, and black pepper until fully emulsified. To make hot honey from scratch, mix 1 tablespoon honey with 1/2 teaspoon chili flakes, microwave for 20 seconds, stir, and let cool before using.
04 - Pour the vinaigrette over the assembled salad and toss gently until evenly coated. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt or pepper as needed.
05 - Serve immediately at room temperature, or refrigerate for 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together before serving.
# Expert Suggestions:
01 -
- The hot honey vinaigrette hits every note at once, sweet, tangy, spicy, and it makes people ask what your secret is.
- It comes together in thirty minutes with zero cooking beyond boiling water, which means your kitchen stays cool.
02 -
- Hot honey separates if it sits too long, so give your vinaigrette a quick shake right before pouring it on.
- Couscous clumps into a sad brick if you skip the fork fluffing step or try to dress it while it is still warm.
03 -
- Soak your red onion in ice water for five minutes, drain, and pat dry if you want the flavor without the aggressive bite that clears out a room.
- Make a double batch of the hot honey vinaigrette and keep it in the fridge for roasted vegetables, grain bowls, or drizzling over grilled peaches.