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Cucumber Radish Salad with Crispy Couscous

August 8, 2024

This Cucumber Radish Salad with Crispy Couscous is the ultimate summertime salad. Made from crunchy Persian cucumbers, fresh herbs, crispy couscous, and a tangy lemon dressing, it’s packed with flavors and textures and is perfect for pairing alongside your favorite protein!

A vibrant salad of sliced cucumbers, radishes, and fresh chopped herbs is garnished with crumbled feta cheese and a sprinkle of breadcrumbs. The salad is presented in a rustic pink bowl with a serving spoon, set on a soft pink textured surface.

Why Cucumber Salads are Perfect for Summer

If you’ve spent any time on TikTok lately, then you may know that cucumber salads are THE it-girl salad right now. Why? Well, for starters, the cucumber is cool and refreshing, which is perfect for the warm summer days. Cucumbers also have a high water content, which means that they’ll help you stay hydrated in the heat. This year, I’ve been all about the cucumber salads, and have had a blast creating fun and unique recipes. From my Cucumber Salad with Crunchy Quinoa, to my Easy Thai-Inspired Cucumber Salad, and my 5-Minute Spicy Cucumber Salad, there are so many delicious ways to enjoy a cucumber salad. But this Cucumber Radish Salad with Crispy Couscous? It may just be my favorite recipe yet.

This cucumber salad pulls from my Middle Eastern roots, thanks to the couscous. Couscous is a made from semolina wheat, and is used in everything from traditional Armenian Tabouleh to delicious couscous salads. But, when it’s baked with olive oil and a little salt and pepper, it becomes puffed, crispy, and delicious. It’s the perfect alternative to traditional croutons, and adds the perfect texture to this cucumber salad!

I will happily eat this whole salad straight from the bowl, but if you’re looking to take it to the next level and serve it as a side dish at dinner, then I’ve got you! I recommend pairing it alongside my Grilled Lemon Salmon Skewers, my Middle Eastern Chicken Kebabs, or my Perfect Pan Seared Steak for the most delicious, protein-packed dinner.

A top-down view of a kitchen workspace showing a salad being prepared. Sliced cucumbers and radishes are in a bowl with chopped herbs on a cutting board. Bowls of couscous, crumbled cheese, and a hand mixing dressing in a bowl with lemons are also visible. — To make this salad, you’ll need Persian cucumbers, radish, fresh dill, fresh mint, feta cheese, couscous, olive oil, sea salt, ground black pepper, white win vinegar, lemon juice and zest, and fresh garlic.

A large baking tray filled with couscous is surrounded by various cooking ingredients and utensils, including fresh herbs on a wooden board, a small bowl of olive oil, a lemon wedge, a mixing bowl with a whisk, and a bowl of sliced vegetables. A wooden spoon rests on the couscous. — To make this salad, you’ll need Persian cucumbers, radish, fresh dill, fresh mint, feta cheese, couscous, olive oil, sea salt, ground black pepper, white win vinegar, lemon juice and zest, and fresh garlic.

What You Need to Make This Crunchy Cucumber Salad

🥒 Persian Cucumbers: Petite, Persian cucumbers are perfect for this salad. They are small and crunchy, which means that they won’t get soggy in this salad.
Radish: Radishes are crunchy, mild, and are rich in antioxidants and Vitamin C.
Fresh Herbs: The combination of fresh dill and fresh mint adds the perfect flavor to this salad.
🧀 Feta Cheese: Tangy feta cheese adds a creamy and delicious flavor to this salad. If you want to keep this salad dairy-free, you can skip it or replace it with a plant-based feta.
Couscous: I recommend using Israeli couscous or Lebanese couscous, in this recipe, because they’re larger in size and get perfectly crispy!
🫒 Olive Oil: Olive oil is full of healthy fats and adds the perfect flavor to
🧂 Sea Salt & Ground Black Pepper: A pinch of salt and pepper adds the perfect finishing touch to this recipe!
White Wine Vinegar: A splash of white wine vinegar helps to form the perfect dressing!
🍋 Lemon: You’ll need both the juice and zest of one lemon, in order to make this recipe.
🧄 Garlic: I always recommend using fresh garlic whenever possible. Not only does it add the best flavor, but as this salad sits, the garlic flavor gets stronger (which, in turn, makes this salad even better!)

An overhead view of various fresh ingredients arranged on a pink surface, including cucumbers, radishes, garlic, mint leaves, couscous, lemon, feta cheese, black pepper, olive oil, and herbs. A cutting board displays sliced radishes and cucumbers. — Prepare the salad – wash and chop the cucumbers and radishes and add them to a large bowl alongside the fresh dill, fresh mint, and crumbled feta cheese.

How to Make This Simple & Easy Salad

To make this salad, start by preparing the crispy couscous. Prepare the couscous according to the package instructions, then set it aside.

Next, preheat your oven to 375 F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and spread the couscous out across it, in an even layer. Then, pour the olive oil, sea salt, and ground black pepper on top of the couscous and toss until the couscous is fully coated. Transfer the baking sheet to the oven and bake the couscous for for 20 minutes. Then, turn the oven to broil and broil the couscous for 3 minutes, until it gets nice and crispy. Watch it carefully, so that it doesn’t burn! Once the couscous is done, remove it from the oven and set it aside to cool.

A bowl filled with a salad consisting of sliced cucumbers, radishes, crumbled feta cheese, freshly chopped herbs, and a generous portion of couscous. Surrounding the bowl are ingredients in small dishes, including more herbs, crumbled feta, and spices. — Then, add the crispy couscous to the bowl with the salad ingredients and toss to combine.

A bowl of salad with sliced cucumbers, radishes, herbs, crumbled feta cheese, and a portion of couscous is being drizzled with a yellow dressing. A spoon is placed in the bowl. Plates and dill sprigs are arranged around the bowl on a pink table. — Then, add the crispy couscous to the bowl with the salad ingredients and toss to combine.

Next, prepare the dressing. Add all of the dressing ingredients (the olive oil, white wine vinegar, lemon juice, lemon zest, garlic, kosher salt, and ground black pepper) to a small bowl and whisk until fully combined. Set the dressing aside while you prepare the salad. Wash and chop the cucumbers and radishes and add them to a large bowl alongside the fresh dill, fresh mint, and crumbled feta cheese.

Pour the dressing over top of the salad and toss to fully combine. Finally, top the salad with the crispy couscous and toss one more time. Once it’s done, serve and enjoy!

Frequently Asked Questions

What type of couscous can I use?

I recommend using Israeli couscous or Lebanese couscous, because they’re larger in size and get perfectly crispy! However, you can also use standard couscous, if you prefer.

How can I make this salad vegetarian or vegan-friendly?

This recipe is already vegetarian! To make it vegan, simply omit the feta cheese or replace it with a vegan feta alternative.

How long will this salad keep?

When stored in an airtight container, in the fridge, this salad will stay fresh for up to 3 days.

Can I make the dressing ahead of time?

Yes! The dressing can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator. Just be sure to give it a good shake before using!

Can I add protein to this salad?

Yes! This cucumber salad tastes delicious with chicken, steak, or even salmon.

If you make this recipe, please be sure to leave a review and rating below! To see more recipes and behind the scenes, follow along on Instagram, TikTok, and Youtube! I’m also now on Pinterest, so stop by and take a look at what’s new.

** Photography by Tanya Pilgrim

Nut Free/Refined Sugar Free