Dances with Knives

  • About
  • Services
  • Recipes
menu icon
go to homepage
  • About
  • Services
  • Recipes
search icon
Homepage link
  • About
  • Services
  • Recipes
×
Home » Recipe Index » Salad

Curried Israeli Couscous Salad

Published: May 4, 2021 · Modified: Jan 22, 2025 by Kim Grimmett · This post may contain affiliate links. This blog generates income via ads. Please read the Affiliate Disclosure and Privacy Policy.

Jump to Recipe

Ready in just 30 minutes, this yummy vegan Curried Israeli Couscous Salad is fantastic! It's both savory and sweet filled with bites of tart cranberries along with rich cashews. Perfect for BBQs, potlucks, lunches, or served as a main dish atop greens.

Dish of vegan curried Israeli couscous salad with cashews and cranberries.

I love Israeli couscous! It's a tiny, tender pasta that is a bit chewy. There is just something about it that has me craving more. And I have learned in my time as a chef that I'm not alone in this love. My clients seem to love it too.

Clients also seem to love curried anything! Especially curry mayo! But then again who doesn't love curry mayo!?!

So when you add some curried vegan mayo to this fluffy little pasta along with some rich cashews, tart cranberries, and fresh peas it turns into a mouthful of yum! It's the perfect marriage of savory with a touch of sweet.

But I'm going to flat out tell you that the Israeli couscous in this recipe is not cooked in the traditional way. It's just simply boiled. I know, I know maybe I did it some injustice somewhere in the world. Trust me I've spent too much time considering how I may have offended some couscous loving community out there. As a chef these things keep me awake at night. It's silly, but it's just how my culinary mind works!

Yet, for this recipe boiling the Israeli couscous works perfectly fine. And once it's covered in the curry mayo sauce it's so delicious that no one would even think twice.

Ingredients Needed

You only need 10 ingredients for this recipe!

Uncooked Israeli couscous, cashews, dried cranberries, curry powder, lemon, and vegan mayo.
  • Israeli Couscous- Also called pearl couscous. It can be found in almost any market. I get mine from Trader Joe's.
  • Curry Powder
  • Vegan Mayo- Any type of vegan mayo will work.
  • Lemon Juice- Use fresh lemon juice for the best flavor. Bottled lemon juice can be too bitter.
  • Raw Whole Cashews- I like to use raw cashews, but roasted would work too. Just be sure to use unsalted cashews.
  • Dried Cranberries
  • Frozen Green Peas- The peas will quickly defrost on their own once added to the salad.
  • Green Onions- Also known as scallions.
  • Cilantro- Always use fresh cilantro for the best flavor.
  • Salt- I used sea salt.

How To Make Curried Israeli Couscous Salad

This salad is so quick and easy to make it will become one of your go-to salads for BBQs and potlucks.

To start, you boil the Israeli couscous for about 5 to 7 minutes to reach an al dente texture. Then you drain the couscous, rinse it with cool water, and put it in a large bowl.

Next, you mix the vegan mayo, curry powder, lemon juice, and salt together in a small bowl before adding it to the cooked couscous. Then you fold in the cashews, cranberries, green peas, and green onions. Now, taste the salad for salt and season as needed.

To finish, top with fresh chopped cilantro and it's ready to serve!

Dish of vegan curried Israeli couscous salad with cashews and cranberries.

How To Store & Variations

Leftovers will keep in the fridge for up to a week. If you make the salad ahead of time for a party or event wait to add the cashews, cranberries, peas, and green onions until the day you plan to serve it.

For variation, you could easily use raisins in place of cranberries. Almonds can be used as an alternative to cashews. If want to spice it up you could add some diced jalapeno. You can basically add anything you like to the couscous and curried mayo mixture.

Dish of vegan curried Israeli couscous salad with cashews and cranberries.

You will love this vegan Curried Israeli Couscous Salad because it's...

  • Can't get enough curry yum
  • Savory and sweet
  • Quick and easy to make
  • Perfect for BBQs, potlucks, lunch, or dinner

I hope you enjoy this recipe! I have been making it for years now. It's one of my top requested dishes for catered BBQs and events.

Dish of vegan curried Israeli couscous salad with cashews and cranberries.

More BBQ & Potluck Recipes

  • Yummy Thai Peanut Noodles
  • Easy Vegan Black Bean Burgers Recipe
  • Vegan Ceviche with Hearts of Palm
  • The Best How To Make Guacamole Recipe
  • Peanut Butter S'mores Bars (Gluten Free)

If you try this recipe please let me know how it turns out by leaving a comment and rating. You can also hashtag #danceswithknives with a photo of your creation on Instagram where you can find me @dances_with_knives.

If you would like to stay up to date with my latest recipes please subscribe to my email list.

Dish of vegan curried Israeli couscous salad with cashews and cranberries.

Curried Israeli Couscous Salad with Cashews & Cranberries

Ready in just 30 minutes, this yummy vegan Curried Israeli Couscous Salad is fantastic! It's both savory and sweet filled with bites of tart cranberries along with rich cashews. Perfect for BBQs, potlucks, lunches, or served as a main dish atop greens.
Author: Kim Grimmett
No ratings yet
Print Save RecipeSaved!
Prep Time 5 minutes minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes minutes
Chill Time 20 minutes minutes
Total Time 30 minutes minutes
Course: Salad, Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Diet: Vegan
Servings: 6

Ingredients
 

  • 8 oz Israeli Couscous (also called pearl couscous)
  • ½ cup vegan mayo
  • 1 tablespoon curry powder
  • 2-3 teaspoon fresh lemon juice (start with 2 tsp)
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup raw whole cashews, unsalted
  • ⅓ cup dried cranberries
  • ⅓ cup frozen green peas
  • 2 green onions, sliced
  • Fresh chopped cilantro

Instructions

  • Bring 5 cups of salted water to a boil. Add the Israeli couscous and cook at medium high for about 5 to 7 minutes. Check at 5 minutes. You want it to be done, but al dente. Then drain the couscous and rinse with cold water. This is not the traditional way of cooking Israeli couscous, but works well for this recipe.
  • While the couscous is cooking, in a small bowl mix together the vegan mayo, curry powder, lemon juice, and salt.
  • Put the cooked couscous in a large bowl. Then add the curry mayo and mix to combine.
  • Now, fold in the the cashews, cranberries, green peas, and green onions. Combine well. The peas will quickly defrost prior to serving.
  • Taste for salt and season as needed. You may also add more lemon juice at this point if you like. The lemon is there to bring out the curry flavor not overpower it.
  • To serve, top with fresh chopped cilantro.
  • This dish can be served as a side , on top of lettuce to make a yummy salad, or as a main served with a vegetable.

Nutrition

Calories: 292kcal | Carbohydrates: 33.7g | Protein: 6.8g | Fat: 16.5g | Saturated Fat: 1.7g | Sodium: 303mg | Potassium: 65mg | Fiber: 5.8g | Sugar: 1.2g | Vitamin A: -1IU | Calcium: 31mg | Iron: 2mg
Keyword couscous, couscous salad, curried couscous, Israeli couscous
Tried this recipe?Mention me on Instagram @dances_with_knives and add the hashtag #danceswithknives! Would love to see your yummy creations!

More Vegan Salad Recipes

  • quinoa salad with arugula
    Quinoa Salad with Arugula
  • A bowl of vegan caesar salad.
    Vegan Caesar Salad with Lentils
  • Chickpea tuna salad sandwich stacked.
    Easy Chickpea "Tuna" Salad
  • Quinoa tabbouleh in a bowl.
    Easy Quinoa Tabbouleh Salad

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Photo of Kim with her name and welcome.

I'm a professional chef with a culinary degree in my back pocket along with training from all over the world. Dances With Knives is where I share my passion for vegan food and healthy delicious recipes for everyone to enjoy. More about me >


Trending Recipes

  • Sesame soy marinated baked tofu.
    Simple Baked Tofu with Sesame Soy Marinade (Just 7 Ingredients!)
  • Up close view of a single vegan cinnamon sugar muffin.
    Easy Vegan Cinnamon Sugar Muffins (Moist & Buttery)
  • Up Close Vegan seafood fish cakes on a plate.
    Easy Vegan Seafood Cakes with Old Bay Seasoning
  • Plate of vegan pupusas with the cheesy center of a pupusa showing in the as the main pupusa.
    Vegan Pupusas with Curtido
  • Bowl of vegan gumbo.
    Vegan Gumbo Louisiana Style

Get the exclusive content you crave straight to your inbox.

Footer

↑ back to top

About

  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Nutrition Disclaimer
  • Accessibility Policy

Subscribe

  • Sign Up! for emails and updates

Find Me On

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest

Contact

  • Contact
  • Services

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Dances With Knives earns commissions on purchases made through our links to retailers. Affiliate details >>

Copyright © 2025 DANCESWITHKNIVES.COM

Rate This Recipe

Your vote:




A rating is required
A name is required
An email is required