Lemon-Herb Couscous

Name: Lemon-Herb Couscous
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 15 min
Ingredients: 1 cup water; 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil; 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt; 1 cup Moroccan couscous ((Moroccan couscous is the tiny couscous! Israeli couscous is the larger pearled couscous.)); 2 whole scallions, (finely chopped); 1/2 packed cup fresh Italian parsley leaves, (finely chopped); 1/4 packed cup fresh basil leaves, (finely chopped); 1 teaspoon freshly grated lemon zest; Juice of half a lemon, (plus extra to taste); Freshly ground black pepper to taste

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Overhead view of a bowl of Lemon-Herb Couscous with a serving spoon and decorative herbs on the side.

GOT COOKING FATIGUE?!!

NEED A NEW SIDE DISH OR #SASSYDESKLUNCH?

LOVE COUSCOUS?

The underrated joy of writing blog posts is that I can imagine the reader doing whatever I want, so I’m picturing you jumping up and down while enthusiastically screaming, “YES! I DO!!!” to the above queries. And it’s making me feel even more excited to drop this simple yet wildly satisfying couscous recipe on you.

I’ve always loved Moroccan couscous, but I appreciate it most when I’m exhausted and looking to minimize time in the kitchen because it can be made from start to finish in about 12 minutes: 2 minutes to boil water + 5 minutes to cook the couscous + 5 minutes to let it steam before fluffing it with a fork. Hallelujah!

Couscous, which is originally a Berber dish and a staple in many North African countries, is actually a teeny-tiny pasta made from semolina with a delightful fluffy texture. It plays well in a variety of dishes and can be seasoned in countless delicious ways, but this Lemon-Herb Couscous is a personal favorite and a staple in my side dish and #sassydesklunch rotation. Featuring the foolproof trio of extra-virgin olive oil, lemon, and fresh herbs, it’s light, fresh, and pairs perfectly with almost any protein.

This recipe serves 4 as a side, but it’s easily multiplied for a crowd (chop herbs in the food processor to make your life easier), travels well, and is excellent at room temperature, so keep it in mind for dinner parties, bbqs, potlucks and picnics!

Overhead close-up of Lemon-Herb Couscous with one portion taken out and put on a small side plat peeking into the upper right-hand corner.

How can I make this couscous my own?

You know I love when you do you! If you’re feeling fancy and/or creative, use this couscous as the base recipe and dress it up with your favorite mix-ins. A few festive suggestions:

Add some toasted nuts. I’m partial to slivered almond and pistachios.
Get some dried or fresh fruit involved for sweetness. Grapefruit or orange segments, cherry tomatoes, dried apricots, and golden raisins are my go-tos.
Work in some greens! Finely chopped baby kale, spinach, or arugula are some great options to turn this into more of a salad situation.
Make it cheesy! I love some crumbled feta or goat cheese or feta for creaminess and savory flair.
Play with herbs! In addition to parsley and basil, cilantro, mint, and chives are also delicious in this recipe.
Gluten-free? Sub quinoa for the couscous!

What should I serve with Lemon-Herb Couscous?

Excellent question! You can’t go wrong with a simply grilled, seared, or roasted protein, but here are some other fun ideas: