Israeli Couscous Salad with Chickpeas

Name: Israeli Couscous Salad with Chickpeas
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 2 cups pearl couscous; 1 cup chicken broth; 1 cup orange juice; 1/4 tsp. cumin; 1/2 tsp. paprika; 1/4 tsp. ginger paste; 1/8 tsp. allspice; 2 tbsp. butter; 1 tsp. salt; 1 onion, (diced); 1 red bell pepper, (chopped); 1 zucchini, (chopped); 1 can chickpeas, (garbanzo beans); 2 tbsp. preserved lemon, (minced); 2 tbsp. olive oil; 1/4 cup dried apricots, (chopped)

By Danielle on July 29, 2019, Updated October 16, 2022 54 Comments

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This Israeli Couscous Salad with chickpeas and preserved lemon is packed full of fresh roasted vegetables, sweet dried apricots, and the delicious umami flavor of preserved lemons. This flavor packed salad made with pearl couscous is the perfect, easy to make, healthy but delicious salad!

israeli couscous salad in a bowl with parsley and a spoon

"I love this salad." I never thought those words would come out of my mouth. But it's true. This is literally my favorite salad ever.

Made with deliciously chewy pearls of Israeli couscous, sweet and citrusy orange juice, dried apricots, simple roasted vegetables and chickpeas and my most favorite ingredient of all....salty flavor packed preserved lemons.

Need a dish for a potluck? This Israeli Couscous salad is just the thing. Perfect served at room temperature and packed full of flavor, it's the perfect summer party dish!

For an even quicker version, you can make this Instant Pot couscous, which we have also fallen in love with!

What is Couscous?

Couscous is basically water mixed with durum wheat semolina flour and formed into little balls. There are a few different kinds. This recipe calls for pearl couscous, which is more similar to pasta than other types of couscous. It is great used in salads and a perfect replacement for orzo pasta. If you've never tried it, I highly recommend it!!

Ingredients

When you're at the store, you will likely see 2 different kinds of couscous. You want to buy the pearl couscous (Israeli couscous), or the one with the larger balls. Buy it HERE on Amazon (affiliate link).

Everything else should be easy to find at your market. You can head over and learn how to make Preserved Lemons, or buy them HERE on Amazon (affiliate link)

You definitely don't want to skip out on the dried apricots. According to the boyfriend, the preserved lemon and apricot pieces are the best part of this Israeli couscous salad. Buy them HERE (affiliate link).

The full ingredients list is included in the recipe card at the bottom of the post.

What are Preserved Lemons?

This is something you have got to have in your pantry guys. Preserved lemons are lemons packed in salt and their own juices in a sterilized jar and set out to ferment for about 30 days. They are DELICIOUS. Once I made my first batch, I immediately started making more. I need these in everything - the flavor is so amazing. Learn How to Make Preserve Lemons.

Step By Step Instructions

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Place the red pepper, onion, zucchini, chickpeas and preserved lemon on a baking sheet, drizzle with olive oil and mix to coat all the veggies. Roast the vegetables for 20 minutes, mixing halfway through.

roasted vegetables for couscous salad with chickpeas

Combine the chicken broth, orange juice, butter, salt, cumin, paprika, ginger and allspice in a large saucepan and heat to boiling.

Add the couscous, bring back to a simmer, turn down the heat and cover. Cook for 8 minutes, or until tender (may take up to 10 minutes depending on altitude, etc.). Remove from heat and let sit for 5 minutes.

Place the couscous in a large bowl and spoon the roasted vegetables on top. Serve warm or at room temperature. I find it best served at room temperature.

close up photo of moroccan couscous salad

Expert Tips and Variations

Prepare the salad ahead of time for parties and BBQs so it is easy to serve.
Substitute any roasted vegetables you'd like - asparagus, squash, broccoli, cauliflower, tomatoes, etc.
The preserved lemons are an important flavor to this dish - don't leave them out or the flavor of the salad will be different.
While I am partial to the dried apricots (I think they are the best) any dried fruit can be substituted.

Make Ahead Tips

Roast the vegetables ahead of time and store them in the fridge until ready for use (up to 3 days).
Make the couscous ahead of time and store it in the fridge until ready for use (up to 3 days).
Make the whole Israeli couscous salad ahead of time and store in the fridge for up to 3 days. It is the perfect salad to make ahead as the flavors just get better over time.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does couscous salad keep? Keep couscous salad in an airtight container for up to 3 days in the fridge. Couscous salad can be reheated in the microwave, or eaten cold.
Can couscous salad be frozen? To freeze couscous salad, place it in a freezer safe container and store in the freezer for up to one month. To thaw, place in the fridge overnight. Reheat in the microwave or eat cold. Note that the texture and consistency of couscous salad that has been frozen will be slightly mushier.
Can couscous salad be made ahead of time? Prepare the preserved lemon couscous salad the day before and store covered in the fridge until ready for use. Can be served warm (heat in microwave), cold, or at room temperature.
Can couscous be eaten cold? Definitely. I have many time taken this salad out of the fridge and eaten right out of the container.
Is couscous salad healthy? This Moroccan couscous salad is packed full of vegetables roasted in olive oil which contains a lot of vitamins and minerals. The couscous itself, while lower in calories than white rice and pasta, is still a form of carbohydrate. Overall, this couscous salad is a healthy way to get your much needed servings of veggies.

Try this Mediterranean Couscous Salad from Jo Cooks or this Greek Couscous Salad from Chelsey's Apron for a different spin on couscous salad.

More Easy Salad Recipes (Summer Salads)

Serving Suggestions

Serve with Moroccan Roasted Chicken; or
Grilled Lamb Chops; or
Chicken Shawarma or Chicken Doner Kebabs from RecipeTin Eats.
Browse ALL the Main Dish Recipes!

Ideas for Using Preserved Lemons

How to Make Preserved Lemons;
Moroccan Roasted Chicken;
Fish and Potato Tagine from Palatable Pastime;
5 Ways to use Preserved Lemons from The Kitchn.

Did you make this recipe? Rate the recipe and leave me a comment to let me know how it turned out.

This recipe was originally posted in November 2018. It has been revised to improve content, photos and add a video.