Lemon Asparagus Couscous Salad

If you are a lemon lover, you will love this couscous salad! It has all the flavors of summer in one bite. From juicy cherry tomatoes to crisp asparagus spears to dreamy lemon dressing. Just one bite of this Lemon Asparagus Couscous Salad and you will be hooked.

Springtime is my favorite as the nights slowly become longer, the weather is gorgeous, and the backyard BBQs start up again. With BBQs, comes good food. Bringing a dish to share brings me much joy.

If I must be honest, I usually bring a hefty salad when I am invited to a party. Why? Because as a vegan, I cannot be guaranteed that I will get to eat so I take care of that by signing up for the veggie dishes!

Speaking of hefty salads…there is nothing more flattering to the taste buds than the flavor of citrus. Are you with me?

If you are a lemon lover, you will love this couscous salad! It has all the flavors of summer in one bite. From juicy cherry tomatoes to crisp asparagus spears to dreamy lemon dressing. Just one bite of this cold salad and you will be hooked.

Let me tell you why I just adore this salad.

–It has a BOLD flavor. I’m a flavor gal…give me all or nothing. The lemon flavor in this dish is intense. The good kind of intense, that is.

–It is so darn healthy. Couscous and vegetables, what more could you ask for?

–It makes a large portion. This salad will be perfect for a party or BBQ potluck.

–It’s dairy-free. As a vegan, I love trying new and flavorful salads. This is one of the best vegan salads out there! Yum.

–It’s a party pleaser. I have yet to come across one person who doesn’t LOVE this salad.

–It’s unique. I would say this is the most frequent compliment I get. “I’ve never had a salad like this before.”

Tomatoes

Tomatoes are rich in lycopene, a carotenoid that causes tomatoes to turn red, which is known for fighting free radicals that cause disease.

They are also jam-packed with vitamins and minerals including Vitamins A, C, and E. Tomatoes are known to prevent strokes, increase bone health, and prevent prostate cancer. Who knew these little juicy fruits would provide so many nutrients?

Asparagus

Ever notice a funky smell coming from your pee after you eat asparagus? That is not a result of a rotten vegetable or doesn’t mean anything is harming you. It’s just a simple breakdown of the acid found in asparagus. It ends up as sulfur that contains byproducts that evaporate quickly once you go to the restroom. That’s all.

Asparagus has great benefits including a good source of antioxidants, improves digestive health, helps support a healthy pregnancy, helps lower blood pressure, and provides a good amount of vitamins and minerals.

Lemon

I am sure you’ve heard how amazing lemon is for you. It’s no wonder they say to start your morning with warm lemon water. There’s something to it.

Lemons support heart health, help control weight, prevent kidney stones, protect against anemia, reduce cancer risk, and improve digestive health. They are rich in fiber, and vitamin C.

Garlic

Garlic is another superfood, like lemon. Did you know, that the Ancient Greek physician Hippocrates used garlic to treat a variety of medical issues? That’s because garlic contains compounds with potent medicinal properties. This is mainly due to the sulfur found in the cloves only after it’s been cut or crushed.

Couscous

Some people steer away from couscous as they fear the carbs. The truth is it’s actually good for you!

Couscous is rich in selenium which is an essential mineral that has powerful antioxidant properties. In studies, it has been shown to lower cancer risk, boost your immune system, and is a good source of protein. Eat your carbs, just be wise when choosing.

Microgreens

Out of all of the ingredients in this salad, microgreens have the most health benefits, by far. Honestly, I recommend adding them to every meal, if possible!

Top them on your avocado toast, sprinkle them on your morning eggs, add them to a smoothie, and toss them into a salad.

Did you know that microgreens have up to forty times the nutritional content of their adult counterparts?

This salad has the perfect combination of bold flavors that come together perfectly. Here are the ingredients to add to your shopping list:

• couscous
• cherry tomatoes
• green onion
• asparagus
• microgreens
• garlic
• slivered almonds
• lemon
• olive oil
• apple cider vinegar
• honey
• salt and pepper

How to Make This Healthy Vegan Salad

And, it’s pretty easy to make. You can whip up this salad in less than 20 minutes.

Step one: Start by cooking the couscous according to package instructions. Set it aside to allow the couscous to cool while you chop the vegetables.

Step two: Chop the vegetables including cherry tomatoes, asparagus, and green onions.

Step three: Heat a tablespoon of avocado oil in a pan over medium heat. Add the chopped asparagus spheres along with a teaspoon of salt. Cook them only for a few minutes until they turn bright green. The goal is to keep them crunchy. Ste them aside.

Step four: Make the dressing. Add all of the ingredients to a mason jar, secure the lid, and give it a good shake. Set it aside.

Step five: Assemble the salad. Start by adding the couscous to a large salad bowl. Add the remaining ingredients including cherry tomatoes, asparagus, green onion, slivered almonds, microgreens, and finish with the dressing.

Toss everything up and serve immediately or chill in the fridge for an hour before serving.

You will be done within 20 minutes. Do you know what else is fabulous about this salad? You can eat it warm, right after you make it, or store it in the refrigerator for at least an hour for a cold salad. It also keeps well in the fridge for a few days! There’s nothing better than a salad that you can prepare ahead of time and it still stays fresh and crisp when you serve it!

Enjoy!

XOXO

Michelle