This bright and satisfying salad pairs smoky grilled shrimp with tender Israeli couscous. A quick homemade dressing of fresh lemon juice, garlic, and olive oil brings everything together in minutes. It makes a perfect weeknight dinner or a light weekend lunch when you want something fresh but filling. Plenty of fresh parsley and dill add a clean herbal note, while crumbled feta cheese provides a salty, creamy finish.
Cook
7 min
Total
20 min
Course
Salad
Ingredients
2 cups uncooked Israeli couscous
1 tsp. grated lemon zest plus 3 Tbsp. fresh juice (from 1 large lemon)
1 small garlic clove, grated
¼ tsp. black pepper
¼ cup plus 1 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil, divided
1¾ tsp. kosher salt, divided, plus more for salting water
1 lb. large shrimp, peeled and deveined
1 tsp. smoked paprika
1 cup loosely packed fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves, chopped, plus more for garnish
¼ cup chopped fresh dill, plus more for garnish
4 oz. feta cheese, crumbled (about 1 cup)
Instructions
1Boil a medium saucepan of salted water over high heat. Stir in the couscous and cook until tender, about 5 to 7 minutes. Drain the couscous and rinse it under cool water.
2Whisk the lemon zest, lemon juice, grated garlic, black pepper, 1/4 cup of the olive oil, and 1 1/4 teaspoons of the salt in a large bowl. Mix the cooked couscous into the dressing and set it aside.
3Dry the shrimp thoroughly with paper towels. Season them with the smoked paprika and the remaining 1/2 teaspoon of salt, then thread the shrimp onto skewers. Heat your grill to high, between 450 degrees Fahrenheit and 500 degrees Fahrenheit.
4Coat the shrimp with the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil and arrange the skewers on oiled grill grates. Close the grill and cook until the shrimp are charred and opaque, about 1 to 2 minutes per side.
5Fold the chopped parsley and dill into the dressed couscous. Slide the cooked shrimp off the skewers and place them on top of the salad. Finish with the crumbled feta cheese and a garnish of extra fresh herbs.