• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Crunchy Creamy Sweet

Easy Recipes for Busy Parents

  • All Recipes
  • Air Fryer
  • Asian
  • Dinner
  • Instant Pot
  • Dessert
  • About Us
menu icon
go to homepage
  • All Recipes
  • Subscribe
  • About Me
  • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • All Recipes
    • Subscribe
    • About Me
    • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • ×

    You are here: Crunchy Creamy Sweet / Side Dish / How to Cook Couscous {stovetop & microwave}

    How to Cook Couscous {stovetop & microwave}

    Published: Apr 29, 2019 · Modified: Nov 2, 2022 by Anna 6 Comments · This post may contain affiliate links.

    Sharing is caring!

    633 shares
    • Share
    • Tweet
    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    How to Cook Couscous on the stovetop and in a microwave in just minutes! Perfectly fluffy and ready to serve couscous can be used in a variety of dishes!

    Use it to make my Mediterranean Couscous Salad or serve as a side dish with any protein, like grilled chicken or roasted chicken thighs.

    Side shot of cooked couscous in white bowl.

    Couscous is made from semolina and mixed with hot water it absorbs it and turns into tiny pasta. It is a popular staple in Mediterranean, Middle Eastern and North African cuisines. It is prepared in a similar way to rice and can be used in the same dishes. There are three types of couscous: Moroccan (the most common one in stores), Pearl (also called Israeli couscous, much bigger in size) and whole wheat (the healthiest option).

    Cooking methods:

    Cooking couscous is very simple. You can make it in a pot on the stovetop or in a bowl in a microwave. You will need water, couscous, salt and olive oil. Fluffy couscous is perfect in salads, soups or as a side dish. It's great served with seafood, grilled vegetables or chicken. Add it to chicken soup in place of noodles or rice.

    The Stovetop Method

    Pour 1.25 cups of water to a pot. Bring to a boil. Once boiling, turn off the heat, add couscous, salt and olive oil. Stir an cover. Let sit for about 5 minutes. Then fluff with fork.

    The Microwave Method

    Pour 1.25 cups of water into microwave safe bowl and microwave until boiling. Add couscous, salt and oil, stir and cover with an inverted plate. Let stand for 5 minutes. Fluff with fork.

    Overhead shot of couscous in water in a stainless steel pot.

    After 5 minutes, couscous is done and all you need to do is fluff it with a fork.

    Overhead shot of cooked couscous in pot.

    Variations:

    You can flavor couscous depending on what dish you want to use it.

    • If you are serving it in a salad, keep it plain since the dressing will be adding most of the flavor.
    • If using as a light side dish to seafood, add lemon zest and herbs.

    Serving:

    • in salads,  like my Mediterranean couscous salad or pair with grilled or roasted vegetables for a light and healthy meal;
    • as a side dish to seafood (like my Parmesan Crusted Salmon)
    • in soups (instead of rice in Instant Pot Chicken and Rice soup)

    If you like this recipe and make it, snap a photo and share it on INSTAGRAM! Tag me @crunchycreamysweet so I can check it out and leave a comment! 😀

    Side shot of cooked couscous in white bowl.

    How to Cook Couscous

    Author: Anna
    How to Cook Couscous on the stovetop and in a microwave in just minutes! Perfectly fluffy and ready to serve couscous can be used in a variety of dishes!
    5 from 2 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 5 mins
    Cook Time 5 mins
    Total Time 10 mins
    Course Side Dish
    Cuisine Mediterranean
    Servings 5 servings
    Calories 144 kcal

    Ingredients
     
     

    • 1.25 cups water
    • 1 cup couscous Instant kind
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • 2 teaspoons olive oil

    Instructions
     

    Stovetop method:

    • Pour water into a pot with lid. Bring to boil. Remove from heat.
    • Add salt, olive oil and couscous. Stir. Cover and let sit for 5 minutes.
    • Stir with a fork to fluff.

    Microwave method:

    • Pour water into microwave-safe dish (bowl or large glass cup) and microwave for 4 to 5 minutes or until boiling.
    • Add salt, olive oil and couscous. Stir a few times.
    • Cover the bowl with inverted plate and let sit for 5 minutes.
    • Fluff with fork.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 144kcal | Carbohydrates: 26g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 1g | Sodium: 239mg | Potassium: 57mg | Fiber: 1g | Calcium: 8mg | Iron: 0.4mg
    Tried this recipe?Leave a comment with rating below!

    More Side Dish Recipes

    • Square image of four muffins made with stuffing on a gray plate.
      Leftover Stuffing Muffins
    • Square image of cooked rice in freezer bags.
      How to Freeze Rice
    • Square image of cooked long-grain rice in a blue pot on a gray board.
      How to Cook Rice on the Stove
    • Square photo close up of roasted smashed potatoes on a white plate.
      Easy Smashed Potatoes

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      Did you make this recipe? Let me know! Cancel reply

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

      Recipe Rating




    1. Cathy says

      May 06, 2019 at 3:14 pm

      Love me some couscous! Perfect for summer salads!

      Reply
    2. Amy says

      May 01, 2019 at 9:55 am

      5 stars
      How great is this for anyone wanting to learn how to make it!

      Reply
    3. Allyson Zea says

      April 30, 2019 at 9:29 pm

      We make this with nearly everything, I LOVE it!

      Reply
    4. Lora says

      April 30, 2019 at 5:13 am

      5 stars
      Couscous is so versatile! My kids just love it so many different ways and yours looks perfectly fluffy!

      Reply
    5. Chrissie Baker says

      April 30, 2019 at 1:31 am

      That looks delish. I want it for a dinner treat with my hubby.

      Reply
    6. Dorothy Reinhold says

      April 29, 2019 at 8:45 pm

      I never thought about cooking it in the microwave! Time saver when you are in a hurry!

      Reply

    Primary Sidebar

    Crunchy Creamy Sweet Anna

    Hi, I'm Anna! Thank you for stopping by! Here you will find easy and delicious recipes for busy people. My recipes are made with everyday ingredients and all of them are family approved!

    More about me →

    Easy Dinners

    • Square image of chicken in teriyaki sauce, rice and broccoli in a white bowl.
      Quick Teriyaki Chicken Rice Bowls Recipe
    • Asian chicken on rice.
      Easy Sesame Chicken Recipe
    • Square image of creamy garlic chicken in a skillet.
      Creamy Garlic Chicken
    • Lemon garlic chicken in a skillet.
      Creamy Lemon Garlic Chicken Recipe
    • Chicken in mushroom garlic sauce in pan.
      Creamy Mushroom Garlic Chicken
    • Beef noodle casserole in a baking dish.
      Cheesy Beef Noodle Casserole

    Popular Recipes

    • Cooked shrimp on a white plate.
      Air Fryer Shrimp
    • Square image of four Russet potatoes on a rack in the Instant Pot pressure cooker.
      Instant Pot Baked Potatoes Recipe
    • Noodles with peanut sauce and green onions in a white bowl with chopsticks.
      Thai Peanut Noodles Recipe
    • Square image of chicken nuggets with parsley on a white plate.
      Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets Recipe
    • BLT Pasta Salad in large glass bowl.
      BLT Pasta Salad Recipe
    • KFC Coleslaw in a white serving bowl.
      KFC Coleslaw Copycat Recipe

    Featured in

    Logos of publications like yahoo, Parade magazine, MSN.

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • About Us
    • Privacy Policy
    • Accessibility Policy

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact

    As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2023 Crunchy Creamy Sweet All rights reserved.

    © Copyright 2023 - Crunchy Creamy Sweet - Privacy Policy