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    Home » Lebanese Cuisine

    Mediterranean Couscous Recipe

    July 6, 2020 by Emily Ackerman 18 Comments

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    This Mediterranean couscous salad recipe is a quick and delicious vegan side dish with pistachios and a lemon mint dressing.

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    Mediterranean couscous salad with pistachios and pine nuts

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    I am always looking for a quick, easy and delicious side dish that is family friendly, and this healthy couscous recipe definitely fits the bill! This Mediterranean couscous recipe pleasantly surprised me when I served it to my family. I wasn't expecting them to not only LOVE IT, but they completely DEVOURED it in one sitting!

    Middle Eastern couscous is so light and fresh with the lemon mint dressing and the pistachios give it a pleasant crunch. This is literally ready in less than 10 minutes and goes perfectly with Mediterranean grilled chicken or shawarma, or really anything.

    Mediterranean Grilled Chicken with Couscous
    Here is a lovely pic of this Mediterranean grilled chicken with this delightful Mediterranean couscous with pistachios. I'm hungry now, just looking at this!

    Before we get to this delicious lemon couscous recipe, let's answer some frequently asked questions about couscous.

    What is couscous?

    Couscous is actually a type of small pasta made with semolina flour. It cooks quickly and can be made many different ways.

    Is couscous on the Mediterranean Diet?

    Since the couscous grain IS a whole grain, it is compatible with the Mediterranean diet. You are gonna love this Lebanese couscous, I promise. So if you are wondering "is couscous healthy?" yes it is! However it is not gluten free.

    What can I add to couscous for flavor?

    The lovely thing about couscous is that is it so versatile. Some people love to prepare the couscous and add fresh chopped vegetables, like tomatoes and cucumbers and even feta cheese. Other great recipes are couscous bowls like this Greek Chicken Couscous bowls from EazyPeazyMeals.

    My favorite thing to add is pistachios! Please consider purchasing pistachios from Nuts.com . I am not joking when I say their pistachio nuts are THE BEST pistachios I have ever had! They are comparable in price to buying store-bought pistachios, but the quality is SOOO much better!

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    When it comes to flavoring couscous, always make sure to salt the water before boiling it. Don't over salt either!

    Is couscous vegan?

    Couscous is made from semolina wheat and has no animal products added to it, so couscous is vegan and vegetarian on it's own.

    How to make this Mediterranean couscous salad recipe

    Now on to the recipe, first off you need to buy couscous, not the pre-seasoned couscous, but plain couscous. This is very important! There is an instant couscous that is sold in a box and there is whole grain couscous, you want to buy the latter. It will taste better, cook better and it will be all around a healthy couscous recipe!

    What is the couscous to water ratio?

    The couscous to water ratio is easy to remember. It is a 1:1 ration of couscous to water.

    Put the water and salt into a saucepan and bring the water to a boil. As soon as it is boiling, add 1 tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil, pour the measured couscous in, cover and remove from the heat.

    Let is stand for 5 minutes while you shell the pistachios an chop the onion.

    After 5 minutes, fluff the couscous and transfer it to a serving bowl, add the chopped red onion, pistachio, mint and lemon juice and stir.

    Should you serve couscous warm or cold?

    Couscous salad can be served either warm or cold. It does not stay hot very long, we usually eat it at room temperature, or shortly after cooking couscous. Refrigerate any leftovers.

    Video of Mediterranean Couscous

    Mediterranean Couscous with pistachio nuts

    I do want to say that the pistachios are divine in this recipe. I ran out of them when I made this recipe so I added toasted pine nuts as well. DELISH. This is the best vegetarian couscous recipe!

    Mediterranean couscous, couscous recipe Mediterranean with lemon mint dressing

    Why is my couscous mushy?

    There are common mistakes made when making couscous. Mushy couscous is the result of overcooking the couscous. You really don't need to boil it, or make it in an Instant Pot. You just need to add it to some boiling water, take it off of the heat and let is sit for just a few short minutes. If you boil it in water, or cook it too long, or use too much water your couscous will become mushy.

    Why is my couscous clumpy?

    On the other hand, couscous can become clumpy which is not ideal! If using a 1 to 1 ration of water to couscous, make sure to let is steam for 5 minutes. After the 5 minutes is up, then all you really need to do is to make sure to fluff up the couscous. Take a fork and fluff fluff fluff that cooked couscous and pour it into a serving bowl.

    Check Out These other Popular Recipes from A Pinch Of Adventure!

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    Mediterranean couscous

    Mediterranean Couscous

    5 from 4 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 mins
    Servings 8

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 ½ cups couscous
    • 1 ½ cups water
    • 1 ½ teas salt
    • 1 tablespoon olive oil
    • 1 tablespoon dried mint leaf
    • ½ teas garlic powder
    • ½ lemon or about 2 tablespoon lemon juice
    • ¼ cup red onion diced
    • ⅓ cup pistachio nuts shelled

    Instructions
     

    • Bring water, salt and olive oil to a full boil
    • Add the couscous, cover and remove from heat, let it stand for 5 minutes
    • Meanwhile, chop the onions and shell the pistachios
    • After 5 minutes, fluff the couscous with a fork and transfer it to a serving dish
    • Add the mint, pistachios, onions, salt, garlic and lemon juice and toss together
    • Serve warm or at room temperature, refrigerate leftovers
    This is by far one of the Best couscous recipes out there! It is a healthy couscous salad that is wonderful addition to Mediterranean recipes. This easy couscous salad is made with pistachios and is truly a 10 minute recipe. Lemon couscous is made with pistachios, red onions and mint dressing for a truly delicious vegan side dish. Substitute or add pine nuts for the best couscous with pine nuts and mint
    This Mediterranean couscous with pistachios recipe is a very fast an easy recipe. If you are looking for an easy and healthy couscous salad recipe, this one is it. It's ready in under 10 minutes. This couscous recipe has a lemon and herb dressing and is full of healthy pistachios, mint and olive oil. This is perfect if you follow a Mediterrranean diet. Serve it warm or at room temperature. It is a family friendly side dish as well. #vegan #vegetarian #mediterranean #lebanese #lemon #couscous #mint #salad #healthyfood -APinchOfAdventure
    This Mediterranean couscous with pistachios recipe is a very fast an easy recipe. If you are looking for an easy and healthy couscous salad recipe, this one is it. It's ready in under 10 minutes. This couscous recipe has a lemon and herb dressing and is full of healthy pistachios, mint and olive oil. This is perfect if you follow a Mediterrranean diet. Serve it warm or at room temperature. It is a family friendly side dish as well. #vegan #vegetarian #mediterranean #lebanese #lemon #couscous #mint #salad #healthyfood -APinchOfAdventure
    This Mediterranean couscous with pistachios recipe is a very fast an easy recipe. If you are looking for an easy and healthy couscous salad recipe, this one is it. It's ready in under 10 minutes. This couscous recipe has a lemon and herb dressing and is full of healthy pistachios, mint and olive oil. This is perfect if you follow a Mediterrranean diet. Serve it warm or at room temperature. It is a family friendly side dish as well. #vegan #vegetarian #mediterranean #lebanese #lemon #couscous #mint #salad #healthyfood -APinchOfAdventure
    This Mediterranean couscous with pistachios recipe is a very fast an easy recipe. If you are looking for an easy and healthy couscous salad recipe, this one is it. It's ready in under 10 minutes. This couscous recipe has a lemon and herb dressing and is full of healthy pistachios, mint and olive oil. This is perfect if you follow a Mediterrranean diet. Serve it warm or at room temperature. It is a family friendly side dish as well. #vegan #vegetarian #mediterranean #lebanese #lemon #couscous #mint #salad #healthyfood -APinchOfAdventure
    This Mediterranean couscous with pistachios recipe is a very fast an easy recipe. If you are looking for an easy and healthy couscous salad recipe, this one is it. It's ready in under 10 minutes. This couscous recipe has a lemon and herb dressing and is full of healthy pistachios, mint and olive oil. This is perfect if you follow a Mediterrranean diet. Serve it warm or at room temperature. It is a family friendly side dish as well. #vegan #vegetarian #mediterranean #lebanese #lemon #couscous #mint #salad #healthyfood -APinchOfAdventure
    This Mediterranean couscous with pistachios recipe is a very fast an easy recipe. If you are looking for an easy and healthy couscous salad recipe, this one is it. It's ready in under 10 minutes. This couscous recipe has a lemon and herb dressing and is full of healthy pistachios, mint and olive oil. This is perfect if you follow a Mediterrranean diet. Serve it warm or at room temperature. It is a family friendly side dish as well. #vegan #vegetarian #mediterranean #lebanese #lemon #couscous #mint #salad #healthyfood -APinchOfAdventure
    This Mediterranean couscous with pistachios recipe is a very fast an easy recipe. If you are looking for an easy and healthy couscous salad recipe, this one is it. It's ready in under 10 minutes. This couscous recipe has a lemon and herb dressing and is full of healthy pistachios, mint and olive oil. This is perfect if you follow a Mediterrranean diet. Serve it warm or at room temperature. It is a family friendly side dish as well. #vegan #vegetarian #mediterranean #lebanese #lemon #couscous #mint #salad #healthyfood -APinchOfAdventure
    This Mediterranean couscous with pistachios recipe is a very fast an easy recipe. If you are looking for an easy and healthy couscous salad recipe, this one is it. It's ready in under 10 minutes. This couscous recipe has a lemon and herb dressing and is full of healthy pistachios, mint and olive oil. This is perfect if you follow a Mediterrranean diet. Serve it warm or at room temperature. It is a family friendly side dish as well. #vegan #vegetarian #mediterranean #lebanese #lemon #couscous #mint #salad #healthyfood -APinchOfAdventure
    This is by far one of the Best couscous recipes out there! It is a healthy couscous salad that is wonderful addition to Mediterranean recipes. This easy couscous salad is made with pistachios and is truly a 10 minute recipe. Lemon couscous is made with pistachios, red onions and mint dressing for a truly delicious vegan side dish. Substitute or add pine nuts for the best couscous with pine nuts and mint
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    Comments

    1. Amanda

      July 06, 2020 at 3:33 pm

      5 stars
      Looks fabulous! Couscous is such a versatile side-item!

      Reply
    2. Sarah

      July 06, 2020 at 4:33 pm

      This looks fabulous! I'm a huge fan of couscous, especially when it has nuts (and fruit) in it. I could eat it any time of the day and probably inhale the whole thing! Pistachios and mint sound like a heavenly combo. Going to make this!

      Reply
      • Emily A

        July 06, 2020 at 9:16 pm

        It is actually divine! And My kids like it!

        Reply
    3. Yvette

      July 06, 2020 at 5:12 pm

      5 stars
      This is a very different flavor pallet than what I used to. I want to try it... It looks yummy. Bookmarked!

      Reply
    4. Angela

      July 06, 2020 at 6:16 pm

      5 stars
      This is a quick and delicious side dish. I love how versatile the couscous can be with different ingredients.

      Reply
    5. Cindy Mailhot

      July 06, 2020 at 6:38 pm

      This looks great. I love couscous.

      Reply
    6. Sabrina DeWalt

      July 06, 2020 at 6:50 pm

      I made couscous for the first time recently. This sound like a great way to kick it up a notch.

      Reply
    7. Stephanie

      July 06, 2020 at 11:45 pm

      Oh this does look yummy! The girls in my house would eat it, but the boys... That just means mire for us girls! 😆

      Reply
    8. Chelsea

      July 07, 2020 at 1:24 am

      Oh man! I can't wait to try this! We are plant-based and vegan and this looks so tasty!

      Reply
      • Emily A

        July 07, 2020 at 3:06 pm

        I am not a vegan, however I do have some other great vegan recipes as well :). Mediterranean food/Lebanese food is so amazing

        Reply
    9. Beth Shields

      July 07, 2020 at 8:04 am

      Looks delicious, easy recipe and loved the video. Thanks!

      Reply
    10. Kay

      July 07, 2020 at 12:47 pm

      My husband would love this!! I need to try to make this!

      Reply
    11. Annette @ The Digital Teacher Blog

      July 07, 2020 at 7:52 pm

      This looks yummy!! I've never had couscous, but would be interested in trying it.

      Reply
    12. Barbara

      July 07, 2020 at 9:59 pm

      This looks so great! I pinned it!

      Reply
    13. LaToya

      July 07, 2020 at 11:50 pm

      Never tried couscous but that looks good! 😊

      Reply
    14. ปั้มไลค์

      July 20, 2020 at 9:56 am

      5 stars
      Like!! I blog frequently and I really thank you for your content. The article has truly peaked my interest.

      Reply
    15. Heather L MacKay

      January 20, 2021 at 12:08 pm

      Believe it or not, I've always had trouble making couscous. It's so simple, but I end up with chewy or soggy grains. Until now. Your way made the difference. The problem I had was not adhering to the 50/50 ratio, I think.
      The pistachios made the difference here.
      Lebanese cuisine is such a delight as everything is always remarkably fresh.
      Thank you for sharing your yummy recipe!
      Hugs from Montreal

      Reply
      • Emily Ackerman

        January 20, 2021 at 1:49 pm

        I am so happy to hear this!! And I am so glad it worked well!! My kids devour this recipe and I agree, the pistachios are a MUST!

        Reply

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