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Autumn Pearl Couscous Salad

Autumn Pearl Couscous Salad: A Cozy, Colorful Delight

Enjoy this Autumn Pearl Couscous Salad featuring butternut squash and cranberries that brings a burst of autumn flavors to easy gatherings.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Chill Time 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Salads
Cuisine: American
Calories: 350

Ingredients
  

Dressing
  • 1/4 cup Olive Oil or avocado oil for a twist
  • 1 tablespoon Spicy Brown Mustard substitute with Dijon mustard if desired
  • 1 juice Lemon
  • 1 juice Fresh Orange or apple juice as an alternative
  • 1 tablespoon Honey substitute with maple syrup for vegan option
  • 2 tablespoons Apple Cider Vinegar or white wine vinegar
  • 2 cloves Garlic (crushed) garlic powder can be used instead
Salad
  • 1 cup Pearl Couscous (cooked) or quinoa for gluten-free option
  • 1 cup Dried Cranberries or pomegranate seeds
  • 1/2 cup Pecans or walnuts or almonds as substitutes
  • 1/4 cup Red Onion (thinly sliced) green onions can also be used
  • 3 cups Kale (chopped) or spinach as a substitute
  • 1 cup Butternut Squash (pan-fried or roasted) or sweet potatoes

Equipment

  • Medium bowl or jar
  • Large Mixing Bowl
  • medium saucepan
  • baking sheet

Method
 

Dressing Preparation
  1. In a medium bowl or jar, combine olive oil, spicy brown mustard, lemon juice, orange juice, honey, apple cider vinegar, and crushed garlic. Whisk until smooth.
  2. Set the dressing aside to allow flavors to meld.
Kale Preparation
  1. In a large mixing bowl, add chopped kale and pour a spoonful of dressing over it. Massage the kale for 2-3 minutes until tender.
Couscous Cooking
  1. In a medium saucepan, bring salted water to a boil. Add pearl couscous, reduce heat, and simmer for 8-10 minutes until al dente. Drain and cool.
Butternut Squash Roasting
  1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Peel and dice butternut squash. Toss with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Roast for 20-25 minutes until tender.
Salad Assembly
  1. In the bowl with massaged kale, add cooled couscous, dried cranberries, chopped pecans, and sliced onion. Gently fold in roasted butternut squash.
Dressing Salad
  1. Drizzle desired amount of dressing over the salad and toss gently to combine.
Serving
  1. Serve immediately or chill for 30 minutes before serving to enhance flavors. Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 5 days.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 350kcalCarbohydrates: 50gProtein: 8gFat: 15gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 5gMonounsaturated Fat: 8gSodium: 200mgPotassium: 400mgFiber: 8gSugar: 10gVitamin A: 5000IUVitamin C: 30mgCalcium: 80mgIron: 2mg

Notes

This salad can be enjoyed fresh and is a great option for meal prep. Feel free to customize with your favorite fall vegetables or nuts.

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