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Grilled Eggplant, Cherries, and Couscous Salad

By 76 Comments

Grilled Eggplant, Cherries, and Couscous Salad combines the elements of grilling, along with a seasonal side dish, with fresh cherries tossed in for some extra fun. It’s the time of year when we crack open our grills, as well as dish out cold and refreshing pasta salads. This one is a keeper!

Grilled Eggplant, Cherries, and Couscous Salad is a great dish for the summer grilling season. Grilled Eggplant, Cherries, and Couscous Salad makes a great Meatless Monday dish!

Grilling season makes most of us bolt outside to make many of our summertime meals. I admit it: I go out to the grill a little begrudgingly because I live in Phoenix where the summers are hot, hot, HOT. No worries, though: when grilling results in dishes as tasty as this salad, it’s worth the heat!

Whip up a batch of Peach-Rosemary Agua Fresca to keep you refreshed while it’s hot out. This drink is another tasty way to incorporate the season’s fresh fruit into your meals.

Grilled Eggplant, Cherries, and Couscous Salad is a delightful dish that you'll enjoy all season. Grilled Eggplant, Cherries, and Couscous Salad combines summer fruit with grilling for an amazing salad!

If you love eggplant, try this recipe for Grilled Eggplant Burgers with Spicy Garlic Spread or Baked Eggplant Marinara. If you’re into cherries, make this Cherry-Almond Ricotta Ice Cream for dessert!

Grilled Eggplant, Cherries, and Couscous Salad is easy to make, indoors or out, and it’s a fun twist on a traditional pasta salad. I absolutely love tossing the season’s sweet fruit like cherries into salads and main dishes whenever I can. This is a lovely side-dish salad, or a dish that’s part of a light meal.

Grilled Eggplant, Cherries, and Couscous Salad is a delightful dish for the warm weather. Grilled Eggplant, Cherries, and Couscous Salad is a nice meatless dish everyone will enjoy.

The sweetness of the cherries pairs well with the smoky grilled eggplant, and the bright lemony dressing pulls it all together. Ooo! Don’t forget the toasted almonds for some great crunch! 

Grilled Eggplant, Cherries, and Couscous Salad is a nice dish to enjoy for Meatless Monday, or any day of the week! Grilled Eggplant, Cherries, and Couscous Salad is a great salad for the season.

Toss grilled eggplant and fresh cherries into the mix for a new take on pasta salad! Click To Tweet

Enjoy Grilled Eggplant, Cherries, and Couscous Salad as a flavorful alternative to summer’s more traditional pasta salads. I think you’ll love it!

Grilled Eggplant, Cherries, and Couscous Salad is a lovely side dish for the summer season. Grilled Eggplant, Cherries, and Couscous Salad makes a tasty dish for the season.

Serves Serves 4-6

Grilled Eggplant, Cherries, and Couscous Salad
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5 based on 10 review(s)

Ingredients

  • 1 small eggplant, trimmed and cut into 1/2-inch rounds, skin on
  • 2 cups cooked couscous
  • 2 cups pitted cherries, halved
  • 7 tablespoons olive oil, divided
  • 3-4 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons fresh chopped parsley, plus extra for garnish
  • 1/4 cup toasted almonds, rough chopped

Instructions

  1. Brush both sides of the eggplant rounds with 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Season with salt, and set aside.
  2. Brush a grill pan (or grill outdoors the same way) with 1 tablespoon of olive oil and place over medium-high heat. When hot, reduce the heat to medium.
  3. Combine the remaining 5 tablespoons olive oil with the lemon juice, garlic, salt, and black pepper. Whisk to combine. Taste and adjust the seasoning as needed. Refrigerate until ready to use.
  4. Grill the eggplant for 5-7 minutes on each side. The eggplant will attain dark grill marks and soften when done. Remove and allow to cool slightly.
  5. Cut the eggplant into 2-inch pieces. In a large bowl, combine the couscous, eggplant pieces, and the cherries.
  6. Whisk the dressing, and pour over the couscous mixture. Add the parsley and toasted almonds, and toss to combine.
  7. Serve at room temperature or cold.
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https://www.azgrabaplate.com/meatless-monday-grilled-eggplant-cherries-and-couscous-salad/

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Comments

    • Hi Krista - We basically grill year round, which is very cool, but the summers are torture! Thanks so much - hope you try this and like it!
      Reply

  10. I think people who grill in the hot summer is seriously craycray. It's just so hot and those hot coals don't help. I love my grill pan too. I rarely ever use cherries in savory meals, but I am very intrigued by this recipe. I must try it out
    Reply

    • How nice - thanks so much, Courtney! I have to give props to my grill pan (I'm a little obsessed with it these days)!
      Reply

    • Thanks, Emily! Oh, how I wish I had eggplants in my garden growing out of control! Lucky you! Hope you try this and enjoy!
      Reply

    • Hi Dawn - I'm glad you're excited to try this! I'm also jealous that you have eggplants straight from your garden :) Hope you enjoy this!
      Reply

  22. This salad was a huge hit at my house! The flavor combinations are perfect. Instead of just couscous, I used Trader Joe's Harvest Grains which also has orzo and quinoa in it.
    Reply

    • Oh that's great to hear, Julie - thanks for letting me know! TJ's Harvest Grains sounds like a good addition! So glad you and yours enjoyed this! :)
      Reply

  26. I am in full-on cherry mode right now (so good!!). I've never thought to pair them with eggplant until now and what a fabulous idea! Love the flavors AND the colors in this salad!
    ★★★★★
    Reply

  32. This will be on our dinner menu next week! It looks absolutely delicious! I never thought of eggplant and cherries together but sounds like a great combo.
    Reply

  34. Yum! Loved the almonds and cherries together- what a great way to make use of the grill. I'm with you, we grill all summer so I can avoid turning on the oven.
    ★★★★★
    Reply

  37. Wow! It looks yummy and very healthy. I loved the recipe especially a salad in the making, will definitely try this at home.
    Reply

  45. This is PERFECT for my church’s 4th of July party! They said to bring a salad, definitely gonna plan this one.
    Reply

  48. I absolutely loved this recipe! My husband loves eggplant and this just might be his new favorite eggplant dish. I loved the sweet taste of the cherries paired with the grilled eggplant. Such a winning combination of flavors!
    ★★★★★
    Reply

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