The Best Pearl Couscous Recipe
Pearl couscous is the bigger brother of the tiny couscous (many of us have tried before). But in my many years of making couscous, I prefer pearl couscous more. These tiny pasta pearls are chewy and soak up whatever delicious sauces you toss them in. I found so many pearl couscous recipes out there are bland and basic, so I created this recipe that uses warm Moroccan flavors that really pack in the flavor without needing a long list of ingredients. Easy for a side or lunch, this pearl couscous will be your new favrite!
Servings: 4
Calories: 318kcal
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp olive or avocado oil
- 1 small onion diced
- 2 cloves minced garlic
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp cumin
- 1/4 tsp coriander
- 1/4 tsp cinnamon
- few grinds of fresh pepper
- 1.5 cups vegetable broth
- 2-3 medium or large carrots peeled and cut crosswise into ½-inch-thick coins
- 1/3 cup dried raisins
- 1 cup pearl couscous
- 1/3 cup sliced almonds
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
- 1/2 lemon juiced
Instructions
- In a large saucepan, add oil over medium heat. Add chopped onion and sauté for 5 minutes until softened. Add minced garlic and cook for another 1-2 minutes.Add your spices and mix with the onion. Toast for 30-60 seconds, careful not to let it burn.1 tbsp olive or avocado oil, 1 small onion, 2 cloves minced garlic, 1/4 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp paprika, 1/2 tsp cumin, 1/4 tsp coriander, 1/4 tsp cinnamon, few grinds of fresh pepper
- Add your vegetable broth, sliced carrots, and raisins. Bring it to a simmer, then cover for 5 minutes to soften the carrots.1.5 cups vegetable broth, 2-3 medium or large carrots, 1/3 cup dried raisins
- Add your pearl couscous and bring back to a simmer. Once simmering, cover again for 8-10 minutes, or until couscous is cooked through. I recommend checking around the 6-7 minute mark to make sure your couscous isn't drying out.1 cup pearl couscous
- Take your couscous off the heat. Stir in your sliced almonds and sprinkle in your fresh parsley with a squeeze fresh lemon. Toss to combine. Enjoy!1/3 cup sliced almonds, 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley , 1/2 lemon
Notes
Other additions to this recipe:
- Chickpeas - a great addition for more protein
- Spinach - spinach always cooks down to nothing, so this is a simple add that adds lots of nutrients
Nutrition
Calories: 318kcal | Carbohydrates: 55g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 0.003g | Sodium: 552mg | Potassium: 505mg | Fiber: 7g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 10824IU | Vitamin C: 18mg | Calcium: 75mg | Iron: 2mg