Easy Couscous Recipe (2024)

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Do you make couscous? You are going to love this delicious 15-Minute Parmesan Couscous recipe today. Let’s learn how to make couscous so that you’ll have another delicious side dish to serve for dinner.

Easy Couscous Recipe (1)

If you are looking for an Easy Mediterranean Recipes try this simple side dish. It is easy to prepare and loaded with flavor. The simple ingredients makes this side dish a family favorite.

Table of Contents

  • What is Couscous?
  • Ingredients
  • Variations Ideas
  • Step by Step Instructions
  • Recipe Tips
  • Serving Suggestions
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • More Easy Side Dishes
  • How to make Couscous Recipe Recipe

What is Couscous?

Couscous is a grain similar to quinoa or rice. However, it is crushed and formed into small spheres for easy serving. There are many different varieties of couscous.

I think it tastes similar to rice but has more of a nutty flavor. Also, it takes less time to cook than rice or quinoa so I love having it on hand so I can make a quick and easy side dish for my family is under 15 minutes.

If you are looking for another light a delicious side dish, I recommend my garlic lime steamed asparagus. Anyway, let’s get back to the recipe and continue to learn how to fix couscous.

Ingredients

Easy Couscous Recipe (2)

You just need a few common ingredients to cook couscous.

Scroll to the bottom for the full recipe and ingredients in the recipe card.

Variations Ideas

Feel free to add in flavors or ingredients to your couscous. Here are some delicious additions.

  • Lemon Juice
  • Tomatoes
  • Vegetable Broth or Chicken Broth
  • Lemon Zest
  • Raisins
  • Feta Cheese
  • Red Onion
  • Fresh Herbs

Step by Step Instructions

Easy Couscous Recipe (3)

Step 1 – First in a medium saucepan, bring the broth, olive oil, one tablespoon of butter and seasonings to a boil. These ingredients will resemble boiling water.

Easy Couscous Recipe (4)

Step 2 – Then add the cup of dry couscous one at a time into the boiling mixture. Next stir quickly to combine, cover and let sit for 5 minutes. Then remove from heat and turn off heat as it will not longer be needed for this recipe

Easy Couscous Recipe (5)

Step 3 – After this time, remove the couscous from the pan and add couscous to a large bowl. Next add the rest of the butter (I cut mine up so that it will melt quicker), parmesan cheese and parsley.

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Step 4 – Use a fork to fluff the couscous until the butter is melted by the couscous steam and everything is evenly combined. This may take a minute or two. Add seasoning to taste.

Recipe Tips

  • Seasoning – Adjust the seasonings to taste. You can add more salt and or pepper until it suites your tastes.
  • Serving Size – This makes a large portion and will easily feed 6-8 people depending on portion size. This works great for my family, but if you prefer a smaller amount, you could easily cut the recipe in half.
  • Couscous Type – Also, I used whole wheat, but you can use any kind of couscous. Make sure you check the amount of liquid instructed for the brand of couscous you buy. My couscous was a 1:1 ratio, but each type may be different.
Easy Couscous Recipe (7)

Serving Suggestions

Here are some of my favorite recipes to serve with this delicious and easy couscous side dish.

  • Crock Pot Smothered Pork Chops
  • Honey Soy Pork Tenderloin Crock Pot Recipe
  • 15 Minute burger sliders recipe
  • Grilled Balsamic Glazed Chicken
  • Easy Skillet bbq pork chops

Frequently Asked Questions

Can You Freeze Couscous?

Yes, freeze the prepared couscous after it has cooled to room temperature. Store in a freezer safe container for up to 3 months.

How to Reheat

Reheat leftovers on the stovetop over medium heat with a little water.

Easy Couscous Recipe (8)

More Easy Side Dishes

  • Instant Pot Cilantro Lime Rice Recipe
  • How to Season Brown Rice
  • Easy Instant Pot Brown Rice

We love hearing from you. If you make this Easy Couscous Recipe, please leave us a comment or star review.

Easy Couscous Recipe (9)

Review

Pin Print

How to make Couscous Recipe

4.96 from 21 votes

how to make couscous recipe – you have to try this easy parmesan couscous recipe for your next dinner. Your family will love couscous!

Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 10 minutes mins

Total Time 15 minutes mins

Servings 8

Cuisine American

Course Side Dish

Calories 334

Author Carrie Barnard

Ingredients

  • 2 cups whole wheat couscous
  • 2 cups chicken stock
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 3 tablespoons butter (divided)
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon pepper
  • 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese
  • 2 tablespoons fresh Italian parsley (roughly chopped)

Instructions

  • In a medium size pot, bring the broth, olive oil, one tablespoon of butter and seasonings to a boil.

  • Add the couscous, stir quickly to combine, cover and let sit for 5 minutes.

  • Transfer the cooked couscous to a large bowl.

  • Add the rest of the butter (I cut mine up), Parmesan cheese and parsley.

  • Using a fork to fluff the couscous until the butter is melted and everything is evenly combined. This may take a minute or two. Make sure you don’t use a spoon, because it will make the couscous clump together rather than keeping it light and fluffy.

  • Adjust the seasonings to taste. You can add more salt and or pepper until it suites your tastes.

  • This makes a large portion and will easily feed 6-8 people depending on portion size. This works great for my family, but if you prefer a smaller amount, you could easily cut the recipe in half.

  • Also, I used whole wheat, but you can use any kind of couscous. Make sure you check the amount of liquid instructed for the brand of couscous you buy. My couscous was a 1:1 ratio, but each type may be different.

Recipe Notes

This Couscous recipe makes a tasty side dish for just about any meal!

Nutrition Facts

Calories 334kcal, Carbohydrates 51g, Protein 12g, Fat 11g, Saturated Fat 4g, Cholesterol 17mg, Sodium 296mg, Potassium 78mg, Fiber 5g, Sugar 2g, Vitamin A 265IU, Vitamin C 1.5mg, Calcium 99mg, Iron 2.1mg

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About the Author

Easy Couscous Recipe (18)

Hi, I’m Carrie. Welcome to Eating on a Dime!

I’m on a mission to help you cook delicious meals without busting your budget. Together we are going to cook real food… for real families!

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Easy Couscous Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What can I add to couscous for flavor? ›

Dress it up
  1. Herbs: Couscous will always be better with a fresh lift of herbs. ...
  2. Lemon: Grated lemon rind and a squeeze of juice will add extra zing.
  3. Nuts: Toasted pine nuts or a few slivered almonds add lovely crunch.
  4. Fruit: Many versions of couscous include dried fruit such as apricots or currants.

What goes good with couscous? ›

  • 1Moroccan sweet potato bake. ...
  • 2Moroccan lamb skewers with peperonata couscous. ...
  • 315-minute Moroccan lamb on couscous. ...
  • 4Moroccan chicken with sticky roasted vegetables. ...
  • 5Moroccan-spiced roasted eggplant and tomato. ...
  • 6Lamb meatball tagine with couscous. ...
  • 7Moroccan chicken with beetroot couscous. ...
  • 8Easy fish tagine.

What is the ratio of water to couscous? ›

You'll need 1 ¼ cups water or broth per 1 cup of Golden Couscous. After you bring your water or broth to a boil with a ½ teaspoon of salt, add your couscous. To give it a smoother texture, add in butter or oil with the couscous. Stir, cover, and let stand for 5 minutes once you remove it from the heat.

How do you make couscous not mushy? ›

Too Much Water: Stick to the 1:1.5 ratio to avoid mushy couscous. Underseasoning: Don't forget to season your water with a pinch of salt.

Is couscous better for you than rice? ›

Couscous is packed with nutrients and has better selenium per serving than white rice when it comes to selenium and other elements. It is light and filling, making it a good choice for busy professionals, families and people who don't want to spend a lot of time in the kitchen to prepare a healthy, delicious meal.

Is couscous a better option than rice? ›

Couscous is a tiny grain that's made from semolina wheat and has recently become a popular healthy rice alternative. It is light, fluffy, and easy to make; plus, it has a mild flavor that pairs well with many dishes. Couscous is also a nutritional powerhouse, offering several benefits over white rice.

Do you rinse couscous before cooking? ›

There's no need to wash or rinse the couscous before cooking it as it doesn't contain starch. The butter/oil is optional, but it will help the grains to separate so it's recommended. Add the couscous to boiling water, and then take it off of the heat to avoid it overcooking.

Is couscous easy on the stomach? ›

It is commonly agreed that foods containing simple carbohydrates with no fiber or those that are rich in protein with no carbohydrates are absorbed rapidly and are considered easy to digest foods. This is where couscous comes in.

Is couscous more like pasta or rice? ›

While many believe that it is a type of grain, such as rice or barley, it is actually a type of pasta. (Hint: some grocery stores may stock couscous in the pasta section, but most will often stock it in the grain section, next to the rice). Couscous is pasta made from semolina flour mixed with water.

How much does 1 cup of couscous make? ›

The proportions for cooking couscous are generally 1:1.

A little less water makes drier couscous, good for salads or serving with sauces. A little more water makes softer and slightly sticky couscous. One cup of dried couscous makes about four cups of cooked couscous.

Can you just add boiling water to couscous? ›

Only boiling water is needed to cook your couscous, but the important bit is the couscous to water ratio, you should abide by the 1:1 rule. So, for 60g of couscous, you will need 60ml of boiling water.

How much couscous do I need for 2 people? ›

Couscous portion size
Couscous portionsCouscous per personBoiled water
160g90ml
2120g180ml
3180g270ml
4240g360ml
6 more rows
Feb 1, 2021

How do you keep couscous Fluffy? ›

As soon as 15 minutes is up, drizzle a little olive oil over the couscous, to help separate the balls, then fluff them, using a fork (not a spoon). If you have time, then pour the couscous onto a baking sheet and break up the balls with your fingers. Either way, it's at this point that you'll see the magic working.

How much water do I need for 2 cups of couscous? ›

If you're making traditional wheat or whole-wheat couscous the general rule is to use 1½ cup of water for every 1 cup of couscous (a 1.5 to 1 ratio). For cooking pearl couscous, also known as Israeli couscous, you want to reduce the water to 2/3 cup for every 1 cup of couscous.

Do you drain couscous? ›

Bring water to a boil. Add couscous and salt. Return to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer, cover and cook until tender, about 15 minutes. Drain off any remaining water.

Why is my couscous bland? ›

If your couscous is always boring and flat-tasting, try cooking it in something besides plain water. Couscous has a natural nutty flavor that isn't exactly explosive, but can be enhanced to great effect by a flavorful liquid.

Does couscous taste like pasta or rice? ›

Couscous is a dried and cracked pasta made from semolina, like tiny pasta, meaning it cooks at lightning speed. It has a nutty, sweet flavor that pairs perfectly with stews, braises, and grilled or roasted veggies.

Is couscous meant to be eaten cold? ›

In addition to its many nutritional benefits, couscous can be enjoyed hot or cold, in sweet or savoury dishes, as a dessert or main course. What's not to love about it? One of the best qualities of couscous is that it is just as delicious whether you eat it hot or cold.

Is couscous a rice or a pasta? ›

While many believe that it is a type of grain, such as rice or barley, it is actually a type of pasta. (Hint: some grocery stores may stock couscous in the pasta section, but most will often stock it in the grain section, next to the rice). Couscous is pasta made from semolina flour mixed with water.

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