21 Best Couscous Recipes For A Quick, Easy Meal

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Danielle Daly

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Oh, couscous. It's time to put a spotlight on this adorable pantry staple that so often gets overlooked! You may have seen it on the menu at a Moroccan, Israeli, or Mediterranean restaurant and wondered, "Just what is it? Is it like farro? Is it like quinoa?" In fact, it's neither. While couscous may look like a grain, those tiny golden pearls are technically a form of itty-bitty pasta. Right next to orzo recipes, couscous is one of the smallest pasta shapes and makes for some delicious dishes. It's incredibly versatile and can be cooked up in a flash, which is why we've gathered some of the best couscous recipes to add to your meal planning!

As you walk through grocery isles, you'll probably notice three types of couscous on the shelves: Moroccan, pearl, and Israeli. Anything labeled "couscous" or "Moroccan couscous" is the classic, North African type, which is the tiniest size. Pearl couscous is the largest type and, as the name implies, is pearl-shaped. Israeli couscous falls in the middle. The grain-like pasta can be used in place of your favorite grains, from lunch bowls to vegetable side dishes to large family meals. It makes a fluffy bed for veggies, fish, and meats, and perfectly soaks up hearty Moroccan chicken or lamb stews. You can even chill your couscous and toss it into a tasty Mediterranean salad! It's true what they say about it—it's the pasta so nice, they named it twice!

Greek Salmon Couscous Bowls

Danielle Daly

Ree's salmon couscous has all of the best parts of a Greek salad—in bowl form! Give the bowls a little extra flair and flavor and top with feta, olives, and a drizzle of tzatziki.

Get Ree's Greek Salmon Couscous Bowls recipe.

SHOP BAKING SHEETS

Chicken Caprese Salad

Erica Kastner

Caprese salad is just so tasty, but it doesn't quite make for a full meal. When you add juicy chicken and couscous, though, you'll have a delicious main course on the table in just thirty minutes.

Get the Chicken Caprese Salad recipe.

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Asparagus Salad with Israeli Couscous

Feasting at Home

This light, tangy couscous salad is full of summer flavors. It combines roasted asparagus, kalamata olives, pine nuts, feta, lemon zest, and mint with a lemon dressing.

Get the Asparagus Salad with Israeli Couscous recipe at Feasting at Home.

Harissa Chicken

A Cozy Kitchen

One-pan dishes are a cook's best friend. Cook the chicken thighs, eggplant, shallots, and other ingredients in the pan. Then, top with a drizzle of yogurt, pomegranate seeds, and parsley!

Get the Harissa Chicken recipe at A Cozy Kitchen.

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Harissa Grilled Lamb Chops

Spoon Fork Bacon

You'll want every perfect bite of this recipe: It's a savory grilled lamb chop, pearl couscous, and apricot-serrano chutney.

Get the Harissa Grilled Lamb Chops recipe at Spoon Fork Bacon.

SHOP GRILL ACCESSORIES

Israeli Couscous with Tomato and Olives

Jessica Gavin

This simple side dish is bursting with flavor! Cherry tomatoes, olives, shallots, garlic, and red wine vinegar simmers on the stovetop. Then, it's tossed with chewy pearl couscous!

Get the Israeli Couscous with Tomato and Olives recipe at Jessica Gavin.

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Israeli Couscous Salad

Immaculate Bites

Bulk up Israeli salad with couscous! The dressing features a few simple yet tasty ingredients of minced garlic, lemon juice, and honey.

Get the Israeli Couscous Salad recipe at Immaculate Bites.

Mediterranean Couscous Salad

Jessica Gavin

Mediterranean couscous salad is very similar to Israeli couscous salad with a few key changes. It features the smaller couscous shape, plus olives, chickpeas, and feta.

Get the Mediterranean Couscous Salad recipe at Jessica Gavin.

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Oven Roasted Branzino

Spoon Fork Bacon

If you really want to impress guests (but not put in too much effort!) roast up a branzino! Don't be intimidated by the whole fish scenario—the hardest part is scaling and cleaning it, which your local fish market can do for you.

Get the Oven Roasted Branzino recipe at Spoon Fork Bacon.

Salmon with Roasted Vegetable Couscous

The Little Kitchen

This super easy, tasty recipe only calls for four main ingredients making it the perfect weeknight meal. Simply simmer your couscous and roast the veggies and salmon, and you're set!

Get the Salmon with Roasted Vegetable Couscous recipe at The Little Kitchen.

SHOP SERVING SPOONS

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Roasted Salmon With Za’atar And Sumac

Diala's Kitchen

How beautiful is this dish? There are so many reasons to love it, but the number one reason is the vibrant spices. Za'atar offers an earthy flavor to the dish, while sumac brings a bright and lemony taste.

Get the Roasted Salmon With Za’atar recipe at Diala’s Kitchen.

Scallops with Spicy Curry Sauce and Couscous

Table for Two

Couscous is a great addition to turn scallops into a meal by themself. It's topped with a spicy curry sauce, which pairs wonderfully with the sesame oil-infused couscous.

Get the Scallops with Spicy Curry Sauce recipe at Table For Two.

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Tunisian-Inspired Chicken Tagine

Feasting at Home

Tagines are aromatic North African stews that's typically made with vegetables, chicken, fish, or lamb. This recipe is a one-pan meal that can be adapted for vegetarians! Just don't forget the flavorful Green Harissa Sauce.

Get the Tunisian Tagine recipe at Feasting at Home.

Tuna Couscous Salad

Whisper of Yum

If you need a new way to prepare canned tuna, try adding it to a couscous salad. It's a light dish you'll want to make on repeat all summer long.

Get the Tuna Couscous Salad recipe at Whisper of Yum.

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Instant Pot Lamb Tagine

Feasting at Home

We love an Instant Pot recipe. Here, you can get tender, melt-in-your-mouth aromatic lamb in under an hour.

Get the Lamb Tagine recipe at Feasting at Home.

SHOP INSTANT POT ACCESSORIES

Moroccan Vegetable Couscous

Immaculate Bites

Chicken broth, cumin, and raisins infuse the couscous with a sweet and savory flavor. Fluff it, then toss it together with sauteed veggies and spices.

Get the Moroccan Vegetable Couscous recipe at Immaculate Bites.

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Israeli Couscous Crispy Garlic

Pups With Chopsticks

You can use this recipe as a simple side, or as a bed for meats or veggies. Top your couscous with a generous helping of the crispy garlic anchovy bread crumbs!

Get the Israeli Couscous Crispy Garlic recipe at Pups With Chopsticks.

Creamy Couscous With Mushrooms and Kale

Food Fidelity

Creamy pastas are hearty, comforting, and the absolute best. The lemon juice and zest brighten the dish and balance the creamy, savory greens and mushrooms.

Get the Creamy Couscous recipe at Food Fidelity.

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