How To Cook Couscous Perfectly Recipe Tips

Grab my 5 important tips and watch the video for this recipe!

What is Couscous? Is couscous a grain or a pasta?

Couscous is one of the most convenient Mediterranean pantry staples, and it makes a great side dish in a snap! But people often wonder which family couscous belongs to. Is it another grain like farro, bulgur, or rice? Or is it a pasta? As much as couscous looks and acts like a grain, this North African ingredient is actually more of a pasta made with semolina flour from crushed durum wheat. There are a few types of couscous, including pearl couscous (also known as Israeli couscous), which I use in this awesome couscous salad, cook right in the same dish with chicken tomato thighs, or serve as a side with a little lemon zest. But today, we’re talking about Moroccan instant couscous. It’s the smallest size couscous made of fine granules. And because it’s been already steamed and dried for us, this couscous requires very little effort to prepare and can be ready in the blink of an eye.

In 15 minutes or so, you can whip up a side of Moroccan couscous to go with anything you like from chicken to lamb, fish, and even vegetarian dishes like this eggplant and chickpea stew. I like my couscous extra fluffy and packed with flavor, so let me share some tips with you.

5 Important tips for perfectly cooked couscous

How to cook couscous

How much does 1 cup dry Moroccan couscous yield?

How to cook couscous: Step-by-step (print-friendly recipe and video below) 1 cup of dry couscous will give you about 2 to 2 1/2 cups of cooked couscous, which should generously feed 4 people (you should budget 1/3 cup to 1/2 cup per person).

Microwave option

Yes, you can cook couscous using your microwave. All you do is heat the broth or water in a large bowl in the microwave (about 5 minutes or so). When the liquid is ready, stir in a little olive oil, salt, and your instant Moroccan couscous. Cover and set aside for 10 minutes until the couscous has fully absorbed the liquid.

What to serve it with?

This couscous recipe is versatile and can be the perfect addition to your dinner. Here are a few favorites that go well with it: Moroccan Lamb stew Sheet Pan Chicken and Veggies or Greek-style Sheet Pan Chicken Cauliflower and Chickpea Stew Lemon Garlic Salmon, Easy Baked Salmon With Vegetables and Feta, or Moroccan Fish Stew Visit Our Shop