This colorful couscous salad is full of bright ingredients that can easily liven up the chilly months. Juicy citrus segments mix with tangy red onion slices and sweet dates for a refreshing flavor profile that beautifully highlights winter produce. Tender couscous soaks up the zesty vinaigrette, which bursts with warming cinnamon, coriander, and cumin. Pomegranate seeds serve as the crown jewels of this tasty dish, which looks like a party on your plate.

By Nancy Macklin, RDN,

Ingredients

  • 1⅓ cups dry whole wheat couscous
  • 4 cups fresh baby spinach
  • 4 navel oranges, peeled and sectioned (1⅔ cups)
  • ½ cup chopped pitted dates
  • ½ cup sliced red onion
  • 2 tablespoons tahini
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
  • ½ teaspoon ground cumin
  • ¼ teaspoon ground coriander
  • ⅛ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • Sea salt, to taste
  • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • ½ cup pomegranate seeds

Instructions

  • In a medium saucepan bring 2⅔ cups water to boiling. Stir in couscous and cover. Remove from heat and cool 5 minutes, then spread in a shallow baking pan to cool completely.
  • In a large bowl combine cooled couscous, the spinach, oranges, dates, and onion. In a small bowl whisk together the next six ingredients (through cinnamon) and 2 tablespoons of water. Add to couscous mixture; toss to coat. Season with salt and pepper. Top with pomegranate seeds.

Comments (2)

(5 from 5 votes)

Recipe Rating

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Tarja Nylund

So delicious, and so much taste. Good balance of everything.

Charlie Hormann

This is seriously the most delicious salad EVER. Holy goodness! ❤️

About the Author

Headshot of Nancy Macklin

About the Author

Nancy Macklin, RDN

Nancy Macklin has a bachelor of science in dietetics from Iowa State University and a Master of Science in health services administration from the University of Saint Francis. Macklin worked as a hospital-based clinical dietitian, providing counseling for diabetes, heart disease, and weight loss and as a food service director in health care dining sites. She now serves as a test kitchen dietitian, developing 500+ recipes per year. She is a member of the Academy for Nutrition and Dietetics and International Association of Culinary Professionals. Find her on LinkedIn.
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