Dessert

Spring Pea Feta Couscous Salad with Basil Vinaigrette Recipe

ByRafael Mansero March 11, 2026March 11, 2026

Introduction

This Spring Pea Feta Couscous Salad with Basil Vinaigrette is a fresh, vibrant dish that’s perfect for warm weather. Featuring bright green peas, tangy feta, and a fragrant basil dressing, it’s both satisfying and light. It makes a lovely side or a light main course.

A close-up view of a wooden bowl filled with a green pea and couscous salad. The salad has three main layers: a base of light yellow couscous grains, bright green peas mixed throughout, and scattered bits of white cheese and small light brown walnut pieces on top. Two dark wooden spoons rest inside the bowl, partially covered by the salad. In the background, there is a white marbled surface with a glass of green smoothie and a red and white item slightly blurred. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

½ cup uncooked couscous (not pearl couscous)
½ cup water or chicken broth
1 pound frozen peas
½ cup chopped parsley
½ cup crumbled feta cheese
½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans
1 cup packed basil leaves
½ cup olive oil
1 shallot (cut in half)
2 teaspoons minced garlic
1 tablespoon honey
3 tablespoons white wine vinegar
1 pinch red pepper flakes
Kosher salt and black pepper

Instructions

Step 1: In a medium saucepan, bring the cooking liquid (water or chicken broth) to a boil. Remove from heat, stir in couscous, cover, and let sit for 10 minutes. Fluff with a fork once done.
Step 2: While the couscous is cooking, bring a large pot of water to a boil. Prepare an ice bath in a medium bowl. Add peas to boiling water and blanch for 1–2 minutes until bright green. Drain and immediately transfer peas to the ice bath. Drain again.
Step 3: In a large serving bowl, combine the fluffed couscous, blanched peas, chopped parsley, crumbled feta, and chopped walnuts or pecans.
Step 4: To make the basil vinaigrette, place basil leaves, olive oil, shallot, garlic, honey, white wine vinegar, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper in a blender. Blend until smooth. Taste and adjust seasoning or honey as desired.
Step 5: If serving warm, toss the salad with vinaigrette immediately. For a chilled salad, refrigerate the dressing and salad separately for 1–2 hours. When ready to serve, toss the salad with half the vinaigrette and adjust with more dressing, salt, and pepper to taste.

Tips & Variations

Use chicken broth instead of water to cook the couscous for added flavor.
Swap walnuts for pecans to add a slightly sweeter crunch.
Add a squeeze of lemon juice to the vinaigrette for extra brightness.
For a vegan version, omit feta or substitute with a plant-based cheese alternative.
Serve over a bed of mixed greens for a more substantial salad.

Storage

Store the salad and dressing separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Toss the salad with dressing just before serving. Leftovers can be enjoyed cold or at room temperature. Avoid storing the salad dressed for too long to keep nuts crunchy and feta fresh.

How to Serve

This close-up image shows a bowl filled with a green and white mixed salad. The main layer is small, light yellow couscous grains scattered throughout, with bright green peas mixed in evenly. Small pieces of chopped green herbs are sprinkled across the dish, adding fresh color. Some light brown walnut pieces are also visible, adding texture and contrast. A wooden spoon is partially submerged in the salad, showing some couscous grains sticking to it. The bowl itself is white, and the background has a white marbled surface texture. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use fresh peas instead of frozen?

Yes, fresh peas work wonderfully. Blanch them as you would frozen peas to preserve their color and texture before adding to the salad.

How can I make this salad ahead of time?

Prepare the couscous, peas, and vinaigrette separately and refrigerate. Combine and dress the salad shortly before serving to keep ingredients fresh and flavors vibrant.