Best 11 Couscous Pilaf Recipes

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Couscous pilaf is a delectable dish made from semolina grains that are steamed and then tossed with a variety of ingredients, such as vegetables, herbs, and spices. It's a versatile dish that can be served as a main course or a side dish, and its nutty flavor and fluffy texture make it a favorite among food enthusiasts. The best recipes for couscous pilaf often include a combination of spices and herbs that bring out the natural flavors of the semolina, while the addition of vegetables and nuts adds texture and depth. Whether you're looking for a simple and easy-to-follow recipe or one that's bursting with flavor and complexity, there's a perfect couscous pilaf recipe out there for every skill level and taste preference.

Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!

ISRAELI COUSCOUS PILAF



Israeli Couscous Pilaf image

This couscous can be treated like wild rice as an accompaniment to a main course.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Food & Cooking     Ingredients     Pasta and Grains

Number Of Ingredients 9

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
1 small onion, cut into 1/4-inch dice
3/4 teaspoon ground cumin
Pinch of cayenne pepper
1 2/3 cups Israeli couscous
1 1/4 teaspoons salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2 tablespoons coarsely chopped flat-leaf parsley

Steps:

  • Bring 2 1/2 cups water to a boil in a medium saucepan. Meanwhile, in a large saucepan, heat olive oil and butter over medium-low heat. Add onions, and cook until lightly browned, about 8 minutes. Stir in cumin and cayenne pepper, and saute for 1 minute more.
  • Stir in couscous, salt, pepper, and boiling water. Cover, and simmer over low heat until tender and water is absorbed, about 10 minutes. Add parsley, and serve.

EASY COUSCOUS PILAF



Easy Couscous Pilaf image

Carrot, celery, and onion infuse this couscous with loads of flavor.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Food & Cooking     Ingredients     Pasta and Grains

Time 25m

Number Of Ingredients 7

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 small carrot
1 small celery stalk
1 small onion
Coarse salt and pepper
1 cup water
1 cup couscous

Steps:

  • In a small saucepan, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add carrot, celery stalk, and onion, all finely chopped; season with coarse salt and ground pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until onion is translucent, 6 to 8 minutes. Add water; bring to a boil.
  • Stir in couscous into vegetable mixture in pan. Remove from heat; cover, and let steam 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork. Season with salt and pepper.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 227 g, Fat 3 g, Fiber 2 g, Protein 6 g

SALMON WITH COUSCOUS PILAF



Salmon with Couscous Pilaf image

This delicious one-pan meal is convenient and makes dishwashing easy.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Food & Cooking     Ingredients     Seafood Recipes     Salmon Recipes

Time 50m

Number Of Ingredients 9

1 pound carrots (about 6 medium), quartered lengthwise and sliced 1/8 inch thick diagonally
1 cup uncooked couscous
1/2 cup slivered almonds
1/2 cup raisins
1/4 cup chopped fresh mint
1 tablespoon olive oil
Coarse salt and ground pepper
4 skinless salmon fillets (6 to 8 ounces each)
Lemon wedges, for serving

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 450 degrees. In a 9-by-13-inch baking pan, mix together carrots, couscous, almonds, raisins, mint, oil, 1 1/4 cups water, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper.
  • Place salmon fillets on top of couscous mixture; season generously with salt and pepper. Cover pan with foil; bake until fish is opaque throughout, 30 to 35 minutes.
  • Transfer fish to plates. Fluff couscous with a fork; serve with fish and lemon wedges.

COUSCOUS PILAF WITH ALMONDS, COCONUT, AND CRANBERRIES



Couscous Pilaf with Almonds, Coconut, and Cranberries image

Wake up your couscous pilaf with a delicious blend of almonds, coconut, and dried cranberries.

Provided by Tawanda.Y

Categories     Side Dish     Rice Side Dish Recipes     Pilaf

Time 24m

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 6

butter-flavored cooking spray
⅓ cup chopped almonds
⅓ cup shredded coconut
⅓ cup dried cranberries
1 cup fat-free, reduced-sodium chicken broth
1 cup uncooked couscous

Steps:

  • Heat a skillet over medium heat and grease with cooking spray. Add almonds; cook, stirring constantly, until slightly browned, about 2 minutes. Add coconut; cook and stir until almonds and coconut are fully toasted, 3 to 4 minutes. Add cranberries; cook until cranberries are heated through, about 1 minute more.
  • Bring chicken broth to a boil in a pot. Remove from heat and add couscous. Stir, cover, and let sit until tender, 4 to 5 minutes. Add the almonds, coconut, and cranberries; stir to blend.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 271.4 calories, Carbohydrate 46.7 g, Fat 6.1 g, Fiber 4.5 g, Protein 8 g, SaturatedFat 2 g, Sodium 118.8 mg, Sugar 9.1 g

CURRY COUSCOUS AND QUINOA PILAF (VEGETARIAN)



Curry Couscous and Quinoa Pilaf (Vegetarian) image

This couscous pilaf is very popular as a potluck dish (party size 15 to 20 people). Great for summer vegetables (change veg per season).

Provided by Carolyn Moore

Categories     Salad     Grains     Quinoa Salad Recipes

Time 9h20m

Yield 12

Number Of Ingredients 25

4 cups vegetable stock
1 teaspoon olive oil
1 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon turmeric powder
1 teaspoon curry powder
2 cups uncooked couscous
3 cups water
1 ½ cups uncooked quinoa
1 tablespoon salted butter
2 tablespoons slivered almonds, or to taste
5 stalks celery, finely chopped
1 ½ cups finely shredded carrots
1 cup drained garbanzo beans
1 cup chopped fresh parsley
½ cup raisins
3 green onions, finely sliced
1 tablespoon minced preserved lemon
⅔ cup extra-virgin olive oil
⅔ cup apple cider vinegar
6 tablespoons honey
2 tablespoons turmeric powder
2 tablespoons curry powder, or more to taste
1 tablespoon dry vegetable soup mix
1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Steps:

  • Combine vegetable stock with 1 teaspoon olive oil and 1 teaspoon salt in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil; add 1 teaspoon turmeric and 1 teaspoon curry powder. Stir in couscous and remove pan from heat. Cover and let sit until water is absorbed completely, about 15 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, bring water to a boil in a pot and add quinoa. Bring to a simmer, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer until water is absorbed, about 15 minutes. Cover and let stand for a few minutes if there is liquid left in the pot.
  • Fluff couscous with a fork and place in a very large bowl. Mix quinoa into the bowl; allow to cool.
  • Melt 1 tablespoon butter in a skillet over medium-high heat. Saute almonds until toasted and golden brown, about 3 minutes. Let cool and add to the couscous and quinoa. Add celery, carrots, garbanzo beans, parsley, raisins, green onions, and preserved lemon. Stir to combine.
  • Combine 2/3 cup olive oil, vinegar, honey, 2 tablespoons turmeric, 2 tablespoons curry powder, vegetable soup mix, 1 teaspoon salt, and pepper in a bowl. Whisk together. Toss dressing over the couscous mixture, a little at a time, stirring to combine. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate to let the flavors develop, 8 hours to overnight.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 426 calories, Carbohydrate 60.4 g, Cholesterol 3.2 mg, Fat 16.8 g, Fiber 6 g, Protein 9.2 g, SaturatedFat 2.8 g, Sodium 689.6 mg, Sugar 14.1 g

COUSCOUS PILAF



Couscous Pilaf image

Looking for a couscous recipe? Then check out this pilaf packed with mushroom, bell pepper and nuts - a side or main dish that can be made ready in 40 minutes!

Provided by By Betty Crocker Kitchens

Categories     Side Dish

Time 40m

Yield 2

Number Of Ingredients 11

3/4 cup uncooked couscous
1 cup chicken broth
1 tablespoon butter or margarine
3 ounces fresh mushrooms, chopped (1/2 cup)
1/4 cup chopped cashews or pecans
1/3 cup chopped green bell pepper
1 medium tomato, chopped (2/3 cup)
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
1/2 teaspoon garlic salt
2 green onions, chopped

Steps:

  • Heat oven to 375°. Spray round nonstick baking pan, 9 x 1 1/2 inches, or square baking dish, 8 x 8 x 2 inches, with cooking spray.
  • Mix couscous and broth in pan; cover with aluminum foil. Bake 10 minutes; fluff with fork.
  • Meanwhile, heat butter in 10- inch nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Sauté mushrooms, cashews and bell pepper until bell pepper is crisp-tender; remove from heat. Stir in remaining ingredients. Stir vegetable mixture into couscous in pan.
  • Bake pilaf, uncovered, 10 minutes longer or until couscous is slightly brown.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 380, Carbohydrate 63 g, Cholesterol 15 mg, Fat 1, Fiber 6 g, Protein 15 g, SaturatedFat 6 g, ServingSize 1 Serving, Sodium 260 mg

COUSCOUS PILAF



Couscous Pilaf image

Make and share this Couscous Pilaf recipe from Food.com.

Provided by Rainberry Blues

Categories     Low Cholesterol

Time 45m

Yield 4 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 7

1 onion, chopped
2 carrots, sliced
2 chicken bouillon cubes
salt
pepper
1 cup couscous
1 tablespoon butter

Steps:

  • Dissolve chicken bouillon cubes in 2 ½ cups water in large saucepan.
  • Bring to a boil; add carrots and onion.
  • Cover and reduce heat to low.
  • Boil 15 minutes or until carrots are done.
  • Add salt, pepper, and couscous.
  • Cook, uncovered, 1 minute.
  • Add butter.
  • Cook and stir 2 minutes.
  • Cover and let stand 10 minutes.
  • Stir and serve.

PINEAPPLE-GLAZED CHICKEN BREASTS WITH COUSCOUS PILAF



Pineapple-Glazed Chicken Breasts with Couscous Pilaf image

Enjoy your dinner with these pineapple glazed chicken breasts - a wonderful meal that's ready in 25 minutes.

Provided by By Betty Crocker Kitchens

Categories     Entree

Time 25m

Yield 2

Number Of Ingredients 9

2 tablespoons finely chopped red bell pepper
1/4 teaspoon chicken-flavor instant bouillon
3/4 cup water
1/2 cup uncooked couscous
2 tablespoons sliced green onions (2 medium)
1/4 cup pineapple preserves
2 teaspoons sweet hot mustard
2 boneless skinless chicken breast halves (about 1/2 lb)
2 teaspoons water

Steps:

  • In 1-quart saucepan, heat bell pepper, bouillon and water to boiling over high heat. Remove from heat; stir in couscous. Cover; let stand 5 minutes. Stir in onions; set aside; transfer half of mixtue to a small microwavable bowl.
  • Meanwhile, line broiler pan with foil; spray with cooking spray. Place chicken breast halves on pan. Broil 4 to 6 inches from heat 5 minutes. In small bowl, mix preserves and mustard; transfer half of mixture to a small microwaveable bowl.
  • Turn chicken. Brush chicken with half of preserves mixture; discard any remaining. Broil 3 to 5 minutes longer or until chicken is fork-tender and juices run clear.
  • Stir couscous mixture lightly with fork; divide evenly onto 2 individual serving plates. Top each with chicken. Stir water into remaining preserves mixture. Microwave on High 20 to 40 seconds or until warm; spoon over chicken. If desired, garnish with additional sliced green onions.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 410, Carbohydrate 63 g, Cholesterol 70 mg, Fiber 3 g, Protein 31 g, SaturatedFat 1 g, ServingSize 1 Serving, Sodium 360 mg, Sugar 21 g

COUSCOUS AND BULGUR PILAF



Couscous and Bulgur Pilaf image

Categories     Herb     Side     Couscous     Bon Appétit     Sugar Conscious     Vegan     Vegetarian     Pescatarian     Dairy Free     Peanut Free     Tree Nut Free     Soy Free     No Sugar Added     Kosher

Yield Serves 6

Number Of Ingredients 8

2 tablespoons plus 1/2 teaspoon olive oil
1 3/4 cups finely chopped onions
1 cup bulgur
2 cups Vegetable-Herb Broth
1/2 cup couscous
1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
1 tablespoon chopped fresh chives
1/4 teaspoon finely chopped fresh rosemary

Steps:

  • Heat 2 tablespoons oil in heavy medium saucepan over medium heat. Add onions and sauté until tender and pale golden, about 10 minutes. Add bulgur and stir to coat. Stir in 1 1/2 cups Vegetable-Herb Broth. Bring to simmer. Reduce heat to medium-low. Cover and simmer gently until liquid is absorbed and bulgur is tender, about 10 minutes. Remove from heat. Using fork, fluff bulgur. Cover and let stand 8 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, bring remaining 1/2 cup Vegetable-Herb Broth to simmer in small saucepan. Combine broth, couscous and remaining 1/2 teaspoon oil in large bowl. Stir to blend. Cover tightly and let stand until liquid is absorbed and couscous is tender, about 15 minutes. Fluff with fork.
  • Mix bulgur into couscous in large bowl. Add parsley, chives and rosemary; toss to combine. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

MOROCCAN COUSCOUS PILAF



Moroccan Couscous Pilaf image

This was the healthy recipe of the day on my "MyYahoo" page. Sounds tasty! ..."Hearty enough to serve as a main course or a substantial side dish."

Provided by MackinacBride

Categories     Beans

Time 35m

Yield 6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 14

1 cup diced butternut squash
1 red bell pepper, diced
1 small yellow onion, diced
1 teaspoon sea salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon paprika
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1 pinch cayenne pepper
1 cup couscous, preferably whole-wheat
2 cups boiling water
1 (15 ounce) can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
2 tablespoons Italian parsley

Steps:

  • Place squash in a vegetable steaming basket over boiling water.
  • Cover and steam until tender, about 5 minutes.
  • Set aside.
  • Spray a large saucepan with cooking spray and set the pan over medium heat.
  • Add bell peppers and onions and cook, stirring, for 3 minutes.
  • Add all seasonings/spices and stir to coat the vegetables.
  • Add couscous and cook for 2 minutes.
  • Remove the pan from the heat.
  • Add boiling water to the pan.
  • Cover and set aside for 7 minutes to steam.
  • Fluff gently with a fork and add steamed squash, chickpeas and parsley.
  • Toss to mix, serve warm.

COUSCOUS PILAF WITH SHALLOTS, GARLIC AND ALMONDS



Couscous Pilaf With Shallots, Garlic and Almonds image

Couscus is a super-quick side dish. For only a few minutes of extra effort you will get a much better flavor. This came from Marcus Walser in Cook's Illustrated. It was recipe of the week in The Week magazine. This is so good you may never make couscous any other way.

Provided by Kumquat the Cats fr

Categories     Grains

Time 28m

Yield 4-6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 12

3 tablespoons unsalted butter (I use less)
2 cups couscous
3 shallots, thinly sliced
1 garlic clove, minced
1 cup water
1 cup vegetable broth (low-sodium)
1 teaspoon table salt
3/4 cup sliced almonds, toasted (I use a bit less)
1/4 cup parsley, fresh minced
2 teaspoons lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon lemon zest, finely grated
ground black pepper, to taste

Steps:

  • Heat butter in saucepan over medium-high heat. When foaming subsides, add couscous and cook, stirring frequently, until lightly browned, about 5 minutes.
  • Add shallots and cook until softened and slightly browned, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
  • Mix in water, broth and salt; stir briefly to combine; then cover and remove pan from heat.
  • Let stand until grains are tender, about 7 minutes. Uncover and fluff grains with fork. Stir in almonds, parsley, lemon juice and zest. Season to taste and serve.

Tips:

  • Use a fine-grain couscous for a lighter, fluffier texture.
  • Toast the couscous in a little butter or oil before cooking to enhance its flavor.
  • Use a flavorful broth or stock instead of water to cook the couscous.
  • Add vegetables, herbs, and spices to the couscous for a more flavorful dish.
  • Fluff the couscous with a fork before serving to separate the grains.

Conclusion:

Couscous pilaf is a versatile and flavorful dish that can be served as a main course or a side dish. It is a great way to use up leftover vegetables and herbs. Couscous pilaf is also a good source of fiber and protein. With its simple ingredients and easy preparation, couscous pilaf is a great choice for a quick and healthy meal.

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