• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
The Little Ferraro Kitchen logo
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Hanukkah Recipes
  • Recipe Index
  • Cookbooks
  • About
  • Contact
search icon
Homepage link
  • Hanukkah Recipes
  • Recipe Index
  • Cookbooks
  • About
  • Contact
×
Home » Recipes » Mediterranean Recipes

Lemon Herb Couscous

Published: Jan 8, 2021 · Modified: May 17, 2023 by Samantha Ferraro · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

Jump to Recipe

A simple four ingredient recipe for lemon herb couscous that takes nearly 15 minutes and is a fantastic side to Mediterranean dishes.

A simple four ingredient recipe for lemon herb couscous that takes nearly 15 minutes and is a fantastic side to Mediterranean dishes.

Back Pocket Recipes

I'd like to call this a 'back pocket recipe', aka recipes that you don't have to think about and go good with all sorts of main dishes. I have a handful that I can whip up at a moments notice; creamy polenta or a classic roast chicken are recipes we all should know by memory. And this simple lemon herb couscous is one of them.

Couscous Ratio

For every 1 cup of couscous, you need 1 ¼ cup of liquid.

Couscous vs. Pearl Couscous

Traditional couscous is made from semolina and is much finer and grain-like that cooks relatively quickly, in just as long as it takes water to boil.

Pearl couscous, also called Israeli couscous is made from semolina and wheat flour and is shaped like little pearls and takes a bit longer to cook, about 10 minutes.

Here are a Few Israeli couscous Recipes:

  • Charred Salmon with Lemon Herb Israeli Couscous and Fava Beans
  • Israeli Couscous with Roasted Vegetables
A simple four ingredient recipe for lemon herb couscous that takes nearly 15 minutes and is a fantastic side to Mediterranean dishes.

How to cook Couscous

Add couscous to a small pot and place over low-medium heat. Use a spatula to toast the couscous for a few minutes, making sure all the kernels are lightly toasted.

Pour out couscous and reserve to a bowl and set aside. In the same pot, add liquid (vegetable or chicken stock) and bring to a low boil.

Once boiling, add lemon juice and pour in couscous and give it one good stir. Turn heat off and place a lid on the pot. Let couscous absorb stock for about 10 minutes.

Then remove lid and fluff with a fork to separate the kernels. Mix in chopped herbs and serve.

A simple four ingredient recipe for lemon herb couscous that takes nearly 15 minutes and is a fantastic side to Mediterranean dishes.

What to Serve Couscous With

  • Chicken Tagine with Preserved Lemon and Olives
  • Herb and Citrus Roasted Salmon
  • Turkish Kofta Kebabs
A simple recipe for lemon herb couscous that takes nearly 15 minutes and is a fantastic side to other Mediterranean dishes.

Lemon Herb Couscous

Samantha Ferraro

LittleFerraroKitchen.com

A simple four ingredient recipe for lemon herb couscous that takes nearly 15 minutes and is a fantastic side to Mediterranean dishes.
5 from 2 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prevent your screen from going dark
Prep Time 5 minutes mins
Cook Time 10 minutes mins
Total Time 15 minutes mins
Course Side Dish
Cuisine Mediterranean, Moroccan
Servings 4 servings
Calories 166 kcal

Ingredients
 
 

  • 1 cup couscous
  • 1 ¼ cup vegetable or chicken stock low sodium preferred
  • Juice of 1 lemon
  • Small handful of fresh herbs roughly chopped (any combination of parsley, mint, cilantro)

Instructions
 

  • Add couscous to a small pot and place over low-medium heat. Use a spatula to toast the couscous for a few minutes, making sure all the kernels are lightly toasted.
  • Pour out couscous and reserve to a bowl and set aside. In the same pot, add liquid (vegetable or chicken stock) and bring to a low boil.
  • Once boiling, add lemon juice and pour in couscous and give it one good stir. Turn heat off and place a lid on the pot. Let couscous absorb stock for about 10 minutes.
  • Then remove lid and fluff with a fork to separate the kernels. Mix in chopped herbs and serve.

Notes

Couscous is highly customizable, a few ideas are:
Adding ½ teaspoon of turmeric or saffron for color and flavor.
Sauté chopped shallot and garlic before toasting the couscous. 
Top couscous with toasted pine nuts of slivered almonds.

Nutrition

Calories: 166kcalCarbohydrates: 34gProtein: 6gFat: 1gSaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 298mgPotassium: 72mgFiber: 2gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 156IUCalcium: 10mgIron: 1mg
Did you make this recipe?Let us know by leaving a comment and 5 star rating!

More Flavorful Weeknight Mediterranean Recipes

  • These Middle Eastern stuffed pitas are filled with a flavorful beef mixture and topped with sumac onions, creamy tahini sauce and herbs.
    Beef Arayes (Lebanese Meat-Stuffed Pitas)
  • Tender Pomegranate short ribs are slightly tangy and savory and served over creamy sweet potatoes.
    Pomegranate Braised Short Ribs
  • Creamy whipped feta topped with marinated olives and toasted pine nuts.
    Whipped Feta with Marinated Olives and Toasted Pine Nuts
  • Citrus fennel salad with loads of fresh herbs, pistachios, olives and thin red onion.
    Citrus Fennel Salad with Olives and Pistachios

Sharing is caring!

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Email
  • Print

Reader Interactions

5 from 2 votes (2 ratings without comment)

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

Samantha Ferraro twirling pasta headshot.

Hi, I'm Samantha! I started this blog for my love of world cuisine and cultural flavors! You’ll find everything here from Jewish recipes, Middle Eastern, Italian and more!

More about me →

Seasonal Favorites

  • Baked brie topped with cranberry sauce and pistachios.
    Cranberry Baked Brie with Honey and Pistachios
  • Recipe for amaretto tiramisu.
    Amaretto Tiramisu
  • Julia Child's creamy potato leek soup with fresh thyme and olive oil on top.
    Julia Child's Creamy Potato Leek Soup
  • Latkes on a blue plate.
    Mom's Crispy Potato Latkes
  • Chocolate matzo toffee topped with sea salt, nuts and coconut.
    Chocolate Matzo Toffee
  • Julia Childs sole meuniere with lemon butter caper sauce.
    Julia Child's Sole Meuniere
Buy This Book Online
Buy from Amazon Kindle
Buy from IndieBound
Buy from Barnes and Noble
Buy from Amazon
One Pot Mediterranean
Buy now!

Order My Latest Cookbook!

One Pot Mediterranean cookbook cover

Get my most Popular Seafood Recipes, the ones everyone asks for!

Thank you!

You have successfully joined our subscriber list.

Follow on Bloglovin

Footer

↑ back to top

Featured In

About

  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility Policy

Newsletter

  • Sign Up! for emails and updates

Contact

  • Contact

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Copyright © 2025 · Samantha Ferraro · Little Ferraro Kitchen · All Rights Reserved

Rate This Recipe

Your vote:




A rating is required
A name is required
An email is required

Recipe Ratings without Comment

Something went wrong. Please try again.