spring pea mint couscous salad (Printable)

Light couscous with peas, mint, lemon dressing. Bright, easy, and ideal for spring entertaining or a Mediterranean meal.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Grains

01 - 1 1/2 cups couscous
02 - 1 3/4 cups vegetable broth or water

→ Vegetables & Herbs

03 - 1 cup fresh or frozen peas
04 - 1/2 cup fresh mint leaves, finely chopped
05 - 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
06 - 1/3 cup scallions, thinly sliced
07 - 1 small English cucumber, diced
08 - 1/2 cup radishes, thinly sliced

→ Dressing

09 - 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
10 - 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
11 - 1 teaspoon lemon zest
12 - 1 garlic clove, minced
13 - 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
14 - 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

→ Garnish

15 - 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese
16 - Extra mint leaves

# How to Make It:

01 - Bring vegetable broth or water to a boil in a medium saucepan. Remove from heat, stir in couscous, cover, and let stand for 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork and allow to cool to room temperature.
02 - While couscous cools, blanch fresh peas in boiling water for 1 to 2 minutes until bright green and just tender. Drain and rinse under cold water to halt the cooking process. Skip this step if using thawed frozen peas.
03 - In a small bowl, whisk olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, minced garlic, sea salt, and pepper until emulsified.
04 - In a large mixing bowl, combine cooled couscous, peas, mint, parsley, scallions, cucumber, and radishes if using.
05 - Pour the dressing over ingredients and toss gently to ensure even distribution.
06 - Taste salad and adjust seasoning if necessary. Transfer to serving platter or bowl. Garnish with crumbled feta and extra mint leaves if desired. Serve chilled or at room temperature.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • This salad is light but satisfying, and the mint gives it an unexpected fresh touch you’ll be raving about.
  • It stays delicious in the fridge, making it ideal for prepping ahead for parties or weekday lunches.
02 -
  • If you don’t let the couscous cool completely before mixing, the herbs wilt and flavors muddle.
  • I learned that adding the mint and feta at the very end keeps them vibrant and prevents sogginess.
03 -
  • Always fluff the couscous with a fork before mixing—never mash—so it stays airy.
  • Add mint leaves at the last minute for the brightest flavor.
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