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How to Cook Couscous (5 flavors!)

Make couscous your go-to side dish with step-by-step instructions for both Moroccan and Israeli couscous and five tasty flavor options.

Prep Time
5 mins
Cook Time
5 mins
Total Time
10 mins
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 237 kcal
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: Italian , North African

Ingredients

Plain Couscous
  • 2 1/2 cups water or chicken broth
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil or butter
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 2 cups couscous

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. In a medium saucepan, combine the water (or chicken broth), olive oil (or butter), and salt. Bring the mixture to a boil over high heat.
  2. Remove the saucepan from heat and quickly stir in the couscous until fully moistened.
  3. Cover the saucepan with a lid and let it sit undisturbed for 5 minutes.
  4. Uncover the saucepan and fluff the couscous with a fork, separating the grains. Serve hot.

Notes

  • Garlic and Olive Oil Couscous: Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in the saucepan over medium heat. Add 1 tablespoon freshly minced garlic and cook for 60–90 seconds until fragrant but not browned. Add water and salt, and proceed with the basic recipe.
  • Parmesan Couscous: Use 2 ½ cups chicken broth instead of water and replace olive oil with 1 tablespoon butter. After fluffing the cooked couscous, gradually sprinkle in ¾ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, fluffing with a fork to distribute evenly.
  • Herbed Chicken Couscous: Substitute 2 ½ cups chicken broth for water. Along with the salt, stir in ½ teaspoon onion powder, ¼ teaspoon each of garlic powder, dried parsley, dried rosemary, and dried thyme, and ⅛ teaspoon dried sage. Proceed with the basic recipe.
  • Mediterranean Couscous: Along with the salt, stir in ½ teaspoon each of ground cumin, onion powder, and dried rosemary, ¼ teaspoon each of dried oregano, garlic powder, and ground turmeric, and a pinch of ground cinnamon. Proceed with the basic recipe.
  • Israeli (Pearl) Couscous: Increase liquid to 3 cups of water (or broth). After bringing the liquid to a boil and stirring in the couscous, reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer, uncovered, for 10 minutes or until the liquid is absorbed. Cover the saucepan and let the couscous rest for 5 minutes before fluffing with a fork.

Nutrition Information

Serving 1cup Calories 237kcal (12%) Carbohydrates 45g (15%) Protein 7g (14%) Fat 3g (5%) Saturated Fat 1g (5%) Polyunsaturated Fat 1g Monounsaturated Fat 2g Sodium 205mg (9%) Potassium 96mg (3%) Fiber 3g (12%) Calcium 17mg (2%) Iron 1mg (6%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 6servings

Amount Per Serving

Calories 237

% Daily Value*

Serving 1cup
Calories 237kcal 12%
Carbohydrates 45g 15%
Protein 7g 14%
Fat 3g 5%
Saturated Fat 1g 5%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1g 6%
Monounsaturated Fat 2g 10%
Sodium 205mg 9%
Potassium 96mg 2%
Fiber 3g 12%
Calcium 17mg 2%
Iron 1mg 6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.