Mediterranean Couscous Hot Honey (Printable Version)
Fluffy couscous with fresh vegetables and a sweet-spicy hot honey lemon vinaigrette, ready in 25 minutes.
# What You'll Need:
→ Couscous & Vegetables
01 - 1 cup uncooked couscous
02 - 1¼ cups boiling water
03 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
04 - ½ cup cucumber, diced
05 - ½ cup red bell pepper, diced
06 - ¼ cup red onion, finely chopped
07 - ⅓ cup Kalamata olives, pitted and sliced
08 - ⅓ cup feta cheese, crumbled
09 - 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
10 - 1 tbsp fresh mint, chopped (optional)
→ Hot Honey Lemon Vinaigrette
11 - 3 tbsp olive oil
12 - 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
13 - 1 tbsp honey
14 - ½ tsp red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
15 - 1 tsp Dijon mustard
16 - 1 small garlic clove, minced
17 - ½ tsp sea salt
18 - ¼ tsp black pepper
# Directions:
01 - Place couscous in a large heatproof bowl. Pour boiling water over the couscous, cover tightly, and let steam for 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork and allow to cool slightly.
02 - In a small bowl or mason jar, whisk together the olive oil, fresh lemon juice, honey, red pepper flakes, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, sea salt, and black pepper until fully emulsified and smooth.
03 - To the bowl of fluffed couscous, add the halved cherry tomatoes, diced cucumber, diced red bell pepper, finely chopped red onion, sliced Kalamata olives, crumbled feta cheese, chopped parsley, and mint if using. Fold gently to distribute evenly.
04 - Pour the hot honey lemon vinaigrette over the couscous mixture and toss thoroughly until all ingredients are well coated. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
05 - Refrigerate for 10 minutes to let the flavors meld, or serve immediately at room temperature. Garnish with additional fresh herbs or extra crumbled feta before serving.
# Expert Hints:
01 -
- The hot honey lemon vinaigrette hits every note: sweet, tangy, and just enough heat to keep things interesting.
- It comes together in under 30 minutes with zero stovetop cooking beyond boiling water.
02 -
- Do not skip the resting time for the couscous because uncovering it early leaves you with crunchy raw grains in the center.
- Adding the dressing while the couscous is still slightly warm helps it absorb more flavor than if you wait until everything is cold.
03 -
- Toasting the couscous in a dry pan for two minutes before adding water adds a nutty layer that most people never think to try.
- Massage a pinch of salt into your diced onion for thirty seconds before adding it to mellow the bite without losing the flavor.