Cauliflower Couscous Salad is a fresh and healthy gluten free salad or side dish recipe that comes together in minutes.
I’ve got a fun little side dish /salad option that’s not only outrageously healthy and fresh, but gluten-free, raw, and best of all, takes 10 minutes to make.
It’s Cauliflower Couscous Salad!
I know cauliflower is facing a little bit of backlash these days because of the crazy ways and places people are using it, but trust me when I tell you that replacing couscous (which is not gluten-free,) with minced cauliflower in this light and summery salad not only WORKS, but is totally delicious, refreshing, and fun to eat too.
Grain Free Cauliflower CousCous Salad
Not only is this couscous-inspired salad super healthy, but it comes together in just 10 minutes. Plus it’s extremely customizable.
Making this in the fall? Add chopped pears or apples. In the season that shall not be named? Citrus segments would be a dynamite addition. For summer and spring I recommend the sweet and savory combination of dried cranberries, dried apricots, green onions, and sliced almonds, drizzled in a tangy orange, honey, and cider vinegar dressing.
Serve alongside grilled chicken or fish as a fresh side dish, or scoop into bowls and enjoy as a crunchy, flavor-packed salad.
Start by separating 1 small head cauliflower into big chunks then add to the bowl of a food processor. Pulse until the cauliflower is finely chopped but NOT mushy. We want lots of texture in this salad!
I’ve had my Cuisinart Food Processor for years and years and adore it. Definitely worth the investment – I use it at least 3 times a week.
As you can see, the cauliflower is broken down into really fine pieces that resemble couscous, but still has a lot of texture.
Measure out 6 cups of cauliflower couscous then add to a large mixing bowl with sliced almonds, dried cranberries, dried apricots, and chopped green onions.
Next whisk up the dressing. That’s extra virgin olive oil, fresh squeezed orange juice (1 – 2 oranges), apple cider vinegar, honey, salt, and pepper.
Whisk with a fork then pour your desired amount over the salad and toss to combine.
Taste then add additional dressing if you like, then serve it on up. That’s it – 10 minutes, and this fresh and healthy side dish salad is ready to rock.
Perfect for summer, fall or really any time of year. I hope you love it – enjoy!
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 small head cauliflower, broken into big pieces
- 1/2 cup sliced almonds
- 1/3 cup dried cranberries
- 1/3 cup chopped dried apricots
- 2 green onions, chopped
For the Orange Dressing:
- 6 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 6 Tablespoons fresh squeezed orange juice, 1 - 2 oranges
- 3 Tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1-1/2 Tablespoons honey
- salt and pepper
Directions
- Add cauliflower to the bowl of a food processor fitted with the S-blade. Pulse until the cauliflower resembles couscous - small bits but NOT mush. Measure out 6 cups of cauliflower couscous then ad it to a large mixing bowl with the almonds, dried cranberries, dried apricots, and green onions.
- Add dressing ingredients to a jar with a tight fitting lid or bowl then shake or whisk to combine. Pour desired amount over cauliflower mixture then serve immediately.
Notes
- You can prepare this salad up to a day ahead of time.
Nutrition
Nutritional values are estimates only. Please read our full nutrition information disclaimer.
have you ever compiled the nutrition facts on this one? just curious…if not I can tally
I haven’t!
a very nice way to dress up a really boring ingredient, cauliflower, so thank you, appreciate the recipe!
This was so easy to make and really delicious. It does lack a little flavor but I added some extra cranberries and apricots and orange juice to the dressing. Will make again for sure!! Thank you!
Thank you so much for your feedback and star rating, Deb, I really appreciate it!
Love how eyecatching this recipe is. My husband likes to eat low carb and this dish looks like a winner!
cauliflower with real flavor, thank you, I’m eating a lot of it raw, in quick bites but it’s not exactly full of flavor, so this is a nice salad for me, thank you, feels like I haven’t had apricots in years
This looks delish! Do you think you could use the pre-shredded cauliflower rice that is literally found everywhere? Or does the texture need to be finer than that? Also, are those beets in the photo? Trying to figure out what the pile of purplish looking something is… purple carrots? Beets? Don’t think those are dried apricots….? Thanks for sharing!
You could! The texture will be different but it could work in a pinch or if you don’t have a food processor. The ruby red colored food is dried cranberries and the dark orange food is dried apricots – they are unsulphured so the color is very dark vs light orange.
This looks like a great lunch idea for work-trying next week!
I hope you love it, Melony – it packs and travels really well!
HAHAHA I loved the line about the same enthusiasm that Pauly D has for “it’s t-shirt time!” There is no judgement from me!!
Yessss! ??
This is going to the family reunion in August!
How fun! I hope it’s a hit! :)
I am all about the cauliflower! I think either you love it or you hate it for the most part!
I think so too, though I really do bet that even haters would like this salad since the cauliflower is so transformed!
I was just thinking that I’ve gotten in a rut with steam in the bag veggies. Not sure how many more steamed veggies my family can take. This looks amazing and so healthy — it’s on the menu list!
I feel you – we do SO much baby carrots and peas. I hope everyone loves it!!
Sounds delicious, and that dressing too!
It’s the perfect balance of sweet and tart – love it!!
A-this looks wonderful and I love all the cauliflower!
B-I also love Pauly D, no shame in my game.
C-Pregnancy RLS is THE WORST!!! Heating pad under the legs was my only salvation!
I was thinking about your heating pad solution last night in bed…except it was still 80 degrees outside at 10pm! ? Definitely remembering this trick for the future though!