Couscous

Couscous is a traditional North African dish made from crushed durum wheat semolina. Often considered a type of pasta, it is steamed and usually served as a side dish or base for stews and vegetables. What is couscous can vary by region; Moroccan, Israeli, and Lebanese varieties are common, each differing in size and texture.

Culinary uses of couscous are diverse. It can be served warm or cold, often alongside meats, seafood, or vegetables. Couscous makes an excellent base for salads, as it absorbs flavors well. Additionally, types of couscous, such as whole wheat or flavored variations, offer different tastes and nutrition profiles for various dishes.

Couscous nutrition is notable for being a source of carbohydrates and contains some protein. Whole wheat couscous has higher fiber content compared to regular couscous, contributing to a feeling of fullness. The dish is low in fat and can be easily enhanced with herbs and spices for additional flavor.

To cook couscous, bring water or broth to a boil, then stir in the couscous, cover, and let it sit for about five minutes until it absorbs the liquid. Fluffing it with a fork helps to separate the grains. For storage, keep dry couscous in a cool, dry place and cooked couscous in the refrigerator for up to five days. Knowing how to cook couscous properly ensures its texture remains light and fluffy.

Couscous nutrition per 100g

Energy
Calories 110kcal 6%
Protein
Protein 3.79g 3%
Carbohydrates
Carbohydrates 24g 7%
Fiber 1.40g 4%
Sugar 0.10g 0%
Fat
Fat 0.16g 0%
Saturated 0.03g 0%
Cholesterol 0.00mg -
Vitamins
Vitamin A 0.00ug 0%
Choline 3.30mg 1%
Vitamin B1 0.06mg 5%
Vitamin B2 0.03mg 2%
Vitamin B3 0.98mg 6%
Vitamin B6 0.05mg 3%
Vitamin B9 16ug 4%
Vitamin B12 0.00ug 0%
Vitamin C 0.00mg 0%
Vitamin E 0.13mg 1%
Vitamin K 0.10ug 0%
Minerals
Calcium, Ca 8mg 1%
Copper, Cu 0.04mg 5%
Iron, Fe 0.38mg 3%
Magnesium, Mg 8mg 2%
Phosphorus, P 22mg 2%
Potassium, K 60mg 2%
Selenium, Se 27ug 50%
Sodium, Na 5.00mg 0%
Zinc, Zn 0.26mg 2%
Water
Water 70g -
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

Couscous recipes

Balsamic tomato couscous

Quick and flavorful balsamic tomato couscous, perfect for lunch.

14 Jan 2026

Meatballs with couscous

Savory lamb meatballs served over lemony couscous.

04 Feb 2026

Couscous-stuffed apples with honey syrup

Baked apples filled with spiced couscous and honey syrup.

05 Feb 2026

Moroccan roast chicken with apricot and couscous stuffing

Enjoy a Moroccan roast chicken with apricot couscous stuffing.

21 Jan 2026

Apricot couscous with coriander and parsley

A refreshing apricot couscous with herbs, perfect for summer.

24 Jan 2026

Lemon, olive and parsley couscous

A refreshing lemon, olive, and parsley couscous dish.

18 Feb 2026

Turkish spiced lamb mince

Aromatic Turkish spiced lamb mince with couscous and apricots.

26 Nov 2025

Pearl couscous salad with lemon, asparagus and tomato

A refreshing pearl couscous salad with lemon, asparagus, and tomatoes.

25 Nov 2025

Fruit couscous

A vibrant fruit couscous with dried fruits and spices.

26 Nov 2025

Lamb koftas

Enjoy grilled lamb koftas served with warm pita bread.

18 Jan 2026

One-pot chicken & butternut squash stew

Hearty one-pot chicken and butternut squash stew with couscous.

12 Nov 2025

Roasted almond, pistachio and cashew couscous

Nutty couscous with roasted almonds, pistachios, and cashews.

29 Nov 2025

Tomato & couscous soup

A comforting Tomato & Couscous Soup with fresh vegetables and spices.

17 Dec 2025

Chicken with roasted vegetable couscous

Enjoy chicken with roasted vegetables over fluffy couscous.

19 Dec 2025

Moroccan pan-fried fish

Enjoy zesty Moroccan pan-fried fish with couscous and spinach.

28 Dec 2025

Watermelon salad with feta and basil

A refreshing watermelon salad with feta and basil.

02 Jan 2026

Couscous salad

A flavorful couscous salad packed with spices and veggies.

19 Nov 2025

Fruit and nut breakfast couscous

A quick and nutritious fruit and nut breakfast couscous.

14 Dec 2025

Pineapple, black beans and couscous

A refreshing dish of pineapple, black beans, and couscous.

10 Feb 2026

Quick couscous tabouli salad

A refreshing couscous tabouli salad with fresh herbs and tomatoes.

18 Nov 2025

Pork and olive rissoles with lemon couscous

Savory pork and olive rissoles served with lemon couscous.

12 Feb 2026

Fish tagine with couscous

Quick and aromatic fish tagine served with fluffy couscous.

05 Dec 2025

Garlic chicken skewers

Flavorful garlic chicken skewers served with couscous and orange sauce.

14 Nov 2025

Roasted pumpkin, sage and couscous fritters

Enjoy crispy roasted pumpkin and sage fritters with yogurt sauce.

10 Feb 2026

Spiced beef and pearl couscous salad

A flavorful spiced beef and pearl couscous salad with fresh veggies.

05 Dec 2025

Lemon couscous salad with tomatoes, cucumber and pine nuts

Enjoy a refreshing lemon couscous salad with veggies and pine nuts.

29 Nov 2025

Couscous salad with feta, chickpeas and herbs

Enjoy this refreshing couscous salad with feta, chickpeas, and herbs.

09 Dec 2025

Spiced fish with couscous

Enjoy a vibrant spiced fish served on fluffy couscous.

12 Jan 2026

Couscous

Quick and flavorful couscous with chicken gravy and olives.

31 Dec 2025

Spiced roasted vegetables

A hearty dish of spiced roasted vegetables with couscous and mint yogurt.

11 Nov 2025

Couscous salad with shrimp and mint

A light and refreshing couscous salad with shrimp and mint.

15 Feb 2026

Herb and pistachio couscous

A refreshing herb and pistachio couscous dish with orange juice.

21 Feb 2026

Watercress and chive couscous

A refreshing watercress and chive couscous with tangy dressing.

23 Feb 2026

Herb couscous stuffed tomatoes

Delicious herb couscous stuffed tomatoes, perfect as an appetizer.

25 Jan 2026

Mediterranean wrap

Enjoy a quick Mediterranean chicken wrap with couscous and fresh veggies.

28 Jan 2026

Braised chicken with lemon

A zesty braised chicken with lemon served over couscous and peas.

31 Jan 2026

Chicken with couscous 'risotto'

A comforting chicken and couscous 'risotto' dish with thyme and parmesan.

06 Dec 2025

Couscous salad

A refreshing couscous salad with fresh veggies and lemon.

29 Nov 2025

Couscous bake

A wholesome Couscous Bake with veggies and melted mozzarella.

01 Dec 2025

Warm stuffed tomato on couscous

Baked stuffed tomatoes on couscous with arugula.

04 Jan 2026