MSG Free Couscous Salad with Roasted Vegetables and Turmeric Dressing
Bright, golden, and packed with roasted vegetables, this couscous salad is the kind of dish that looks impressive but comes together with surprisingly little effort. Caramelized zucchini, sweet red bell pepper, and collapsed cherry tomatoes bring deep, jammy flavor, while fresh parsley and mint keep everything feeling light and vibrant. The turmeric dressing — built from lemon juice, cumin, ginger, and garlic — ties it all together with a warm, earthy kick that soaks beautifully into the whole wheat couscous as it rests. For anyone navigating flavor enhancer sensitivities, this recipe is a genuinely satisfying find. Every bit of flavor here comes from real ingredients: fresh citrus, whole spices, good olive oil, and dry-roasted almonds for a satisfying crunch. There are no seasoning packets, bouillon cubes, or processed shortcuts hiding in the ingredient list — just honest, whole-food cooking from start to finish. It works equally well served warm straight from the kitchen or at room temperature, making it a great option for meal prep or a relaxed weeknight dinner.
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Learn more →Ingredients
4 servings
For the roasted vegetables
- 1 medium zucchini, cut into ¾-inch pieces
- 1 red bell pepper, cut into ¾-inch pieces
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
For the couscous
- 1 ½ cups whole wheat couscous
- 1 ½ cups water
- 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- ¼ tsp salt
For the dressing
- 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 3 tbsp fresh lemon juice (from about 1 ½ lemons)
- 1 tsp ground turmeric
- ½ tsp ground cumin
- ¼ tsp ground ginger
- 1 clove garlic, finely minced
- ¼ tsp salt
For the salad
- ¼ cup fresh parsley, roughly chopped
- ¼ cup fresh mint, roughly chopped
- ⅓ cup dry-roasted almonds, roughly chopped
Instructions
- 1
Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C). Spread the zucchini, red bell pepper, and cherry tomatoes on a large baking sheet in a single layer. Drizzle with 2 tbsp olive oil, sprinkle with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper, and toss to coat.
- 2
Roast the vegetables for 20–22 minutes, until the zucchini and pepper are tender with lightly charred edges and the tomatoes have collapsed and begun to caramelize. Remove from the oven and set aside.
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