23 Easy Couscous Recipes To Try Tonight

These fluffy and flavorful couscous recipes are ready to devour in a matter of minutes. Add some veggies and herbs, and you won’t need anything else.

Of course, to make it a complete meal, you might want to add chicken or fish to your plate. Luckily, couscous pairs well with pretty much any protein.

Couscous is the star of many North African and Middle Eastern dishes. So you’ll find some traditional recipes here as well as some fun new favorites. 

And even if you’re craving something sweet, this list of couscous recipes is just what you need.

1. Lemon Couscous

This zippy lemon couscous recipe is perhaps as simple as they come.

You’ll throw garlic, broth, and lemon juice in a pan, then add it to the couscous once it’s done cooking. 

Novice or home chef extraordinaire, this recipe is great to have on hand when you need a quick side to a chicken dinner, baked salmon, or a vegetarian spread.

That reminds me; if you want to make this vegan and vegetarian-friendly, use veggie broth instead of chicken.

2. Mediterranean Couscous Salad 

Salad is anything but boring when you’ve got this vibrant, eye-catching bowl. 

This Mediterranean-style dish is brimming with fresh and healthy ingredients.

A bed of Israeli couscous gets tossed with a zesty and garlicky dressing, then loaded up with an abundance of fixings.

I’m talking cherry tomatoes, olives, feta, pepperoncini, and more!

This works as a gratifying lunch and nutritious dinner.

3. Couscous with Parmesan

If you’re short on ingredients, you can still have a fabulous couscous dish thanks to this recipe.

All you need is couscous, broth, Parmesan, and butter, which I’m guessing you already have on hand. 

If your kitchen is well stocked, toss some fresh herbs and pine nuts on top.

4. Moroccan Couscous

There’s no way I can mention couscous without adding this Moroccan recipe to the mix. 

It’s a sweet, nutty, and lemony bowl that has quite the contrast of textures to match.

You’ll love the crunch from the pine nuts, the chewiness of the raisins, and tender, fluffy couscous.

If you want to make it a themed dinner, try this with some of my favorite Moroccan recipes like chicken tagine and Moroccan bread.

5. Lemon Herb Couscous Salad

Lemon juice and fresh herbs are two excellent ways to spruce up a bed of couscous. But for a bit more oomph, give this recipe a try.

It’s got juicy tomatoes, crisp cucumbers, and walnuts in the mix, adding nice flavor and texture.

And although it calls for pearl couscous, you can use the smaller Moroccan couscous too.

6. Israeli Couscous Salad 

Israeli couscous is essentially large pearl couscous that you toast before cooking in water.

It tends to be chewier than the smaller kind but just as heavenly.

And speaking of heavenly, you’ll adore that warm roasted veggies and sweet, tangy dressing. 

You can use any mix of roasted veggies you like, but I typically stick with carrots, onions, and roasted Brussels sprouts.

7. Mushroom Couscous

Don’t underestimate the flavor of a humble ingredient like earthy mushrooms.

They turn this couscous recipe into a cozy, savory mix that I think pairs perfectly with juicy pork chops. 

For more depth, I like to caramelize the onions. That sweet layer really brings out the flavor of the browned meaty mushrooms.

8. Couscous Salad with Lime Basil Vinaigrette

This is a unique couscous salad. It’s got a wide range of flavors including sweet potatoes, black beans, feta, and pistachios. 

To top that all off, there’s a homemade citrusy vinaigrette to pull it all together. 

It’s a striking, tantalizing dish you’ll want to share with friends. 

9. Cherry Tomato Couscous Salad

Is it summer yet? Because I keep finding myself daydreaming about this tomato couscous salad. 

Nothing beats garden-fresh cherry tomatoes and this salad is full of them.

To go along with the fresh ones, there are some roasted cherry tomatoes in there too. 

It’s garlicky, zesty, and so addictive that I want to make it all summer long.

10. Moroccan Meatball Couscous Soup

You can never have too many comforting, hearty soup recipes. So, here’s an excellent one for when you’re feeling ravished.

It’s a savory, warming bowl featuring Moroccan spiced lamb meatballs and Israeli couscous in a fragrant broth.

If you can’t get your hands on quality lamb, just swap it out for ground beef.

11. Couscous Tabbouleh

As soon as the weather warms up, I start craving this tabbouleh. 

Tabbouleh is a vegan-friendly Lebanese dish typically made with bulgur. But I like to make mine with couscous instead. 

I love the fresh veggies and bright burst of lemon juice. Oh, and don’t skip out on the fresh herbs because that’s what this classic is all about!

12. Greek Chicken Couscous Bowl 

Craving Greek food? Here’s a healthy and fresh bowl to satisfy your appetite. 

Juicy chicken breast gets coated in a vivacious marinade with all the best greek flavors.

Rather than doctor up the couscous, you’ll serve it on the side with some fresh veggies. That way, everyone can have it just how they like it.

I always add lots of feta, but that’s optional.

13. Stuffed Butternut Squash with Curried Couscous Salad 

Looking for a fun vegan Thanksgiving recipe? This one will make an alluring main course – even for the meat-eaters! 

Fork-tender butternut squash has a curried couscous stuffing that’s sweet, herby, and beautifully spiced. 

The presentation is dazzling and the work is far easier than it looks.

14. Couscous Summer Salad

Here’s another summer delight that will leave your stomach growling. 

The couscous has a sweet burst of cherries and a warming taste of cumin. For the additional fixings, pile on plenty of fruits and veggies. 

Nectarines, cucumbers, and avocado are enticing combinations, and chickpeas are the perfect plant-based protein.

15. Chickpea Couscous Curry

Now this is how you do a curry chicken salad the vegan way! 

Instead of meat and dairy, this recipe is full of chickpeas and coconut milk, making it creamy and spicy with a punch of ginger and garlic.

It’s filling enough by itself, but also makes for a pleasing side dish.

16. Sweet Potato Couscous 

You’ll want to make this glowing veggie bowl for dinner tonight. It’s a vegetarian dish that’s both fresh and filling.

Roasted sweet potatoes and cannellini beans make up the bulk, while everything gets smothered with fresh basil pesto. 

And for the grand finale, there’s a handful of honey-roasted almonds on top! Yum!

17. Beef Couscous

Got some ground beef you need to use up? Whip up this one-pot couscous in just 15 minutes. 

This African-American recipe is a savory dish with a fresh pop of basil. 

Bouillon in the ground beef makes it even more flavorful, which pairs exceptionally with bell peppers and tomatoes.

18. Carrot Chickpea Couscous Salad 

This couscous salad is a nice lunch alternative to bland leafy greens. And it doubles as an excellent light dinner too.

The contrast of sweet carrots and currants with the tangy vinegar adds a surprising amount of flavor. Meanwhile, chickpeas make it more filling. 

If you do want to add more spice, toss a little cumin in the mix.

19. Mendocino Farms Curried Couscous with Roasted Cauliflower

Here is another exceptional way to make a curried couscous. Each tiny morsel is beaming with mild curry spice in this radiating salad.

And the roasted cauliflower? It has me doing my happy dance.

It’s so insanely good! 

Picnics, potlucks, or cookouts, this vegetarian couscous will be a big hit.

20. Roasted Broccoli Salad with Couscous and Lemon Tahini

I’m crazy for tahini recipes and this one has the most delightful sauce. It’s also got me craving broccoli like I never thought I would. 

It’s incredible how these two things come together to create a sensational healthy meal.

The Israeli couscous is just another bonus with this scrumptious dish.

21. Breakfast Couscous Bowl with Banana and Strawberries

I never would have thought to make couscous for breakfast until I came across this recipe. 

It’s a sweet and fruity meal that’s sure to energize you for the day ahead.

To give the couscous a little love, it’s got some warming cinnamon and a hint of honey.

I love the fresh strawberries too, but you could swap out the toppings with whatever fruit you like.

22. Easy Egg Fried Couscous

Couscous is an excellent substitution in easy rice recipes, and here’s one of my favorites. 

It’s just like fried rice, except with a bed of quick cooking couscous instead. 

The whole thing takes about 15 minutes, and please feel free to change out the veggies to suit your taste.

23. 20-Minute Couscous with Shrimp and Chorizo 

My mouth is watering just thinking about this recipe! 

I mean, what could be better than a fluffy bowl of couscous packed with juicy shrimp and savory Spanish chorizo?

The spice combination is utter perfection and it’s got fresh garlic too. The only thing you may want to alter is the jalapeño if you don’t like spicy food. 

Although, if you do like spicy food, try this with Mexican chorizo instead.