Go Back
–+ servings
A bowl of herby couscous mixed with parsley, lemon zest, and green onions on a rustic surface.

Herby Couscous with Parsley and Lemon

WTBBQ
This herby couscous with parsley and lemon is quick, fluffy and fresh, making it a very useful side for barbecue meals. The grains stay light, while the herbs and lemon bring brightness that works especially well with smoky meats and spiced ribs.
No ratings yet
Print Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Course Side Dish
Cuisine North African
Servings 4 Servings
Calories 185 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 200 g couscous
  • 250 ml hot vegetable stock or hot water
  • 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 lemon zest finely grated
  • 1 1/2 tbsp lemon juice
  • 25 g flat-leaf parsley finely chopped
  • 2 tbsp chopped mint optional
  • 3 spring onions finely sliced
  • 1/2 tsp fine sea salt
  • 1/4 tsp cracked black pepper

Instructions
 

Steam the couscous

  • Put the couscous in a heatproof bowl. Pour over the hot stock or hot water, cover the bowl and leave for 10 minutes until the liquid is absorbed.

Fluff the grains

  • Uncover the bowl and fluff the couscous gently with a fork to separate the grains.

Add the flavourings

  • Add the olive oil, lemon zest, lemon juice, chopped parsley, mint if using, spring onions, sea salt and black pepper.

Toss and taste

  • Mix thoroughly with a fork until the herbs and seasoning are evenly distributed. Taste and add a little more lemon juice or salt if needed.

Serve warm or at room temperature

  • Serve straight away, or leave for a short while and serve at room temperature once the flavours have settled.

Notes

Standard medium couscous is what I use here because it fluffs easily and behaves itself. Giant couscous is a different thing entirely and needs boiling, which is not what I’m after when I want a fast fresh side dish. Proper stock gives the couscous a little more savoury backbone, though hot water works perfectly well if the rest of the plate already has plenty of flavour.
Flat-leaf parsley matters more than it might seem. It tastes greener and fresher than curly parsley, and I want that clean herbal note coming through clearly. Mint is optional, though it makes a lot of sense if you’re serving this with the harissa yoghurt ribs because it picks up that same bright cooling edge.

Nutrition

Calories: 185kcalCarbohydrates: 27gProtein: 5gFat: 6.5gSaturated Fat: 0.9gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.7gMonounsaturated Fat: 4.8gSodium: 310mgPotassium: 150mgFiber: 2.1gSugar: 1.4gVitamin A: 520IUCalcium: 28mgIron: 1.1mg
Keyword barbecue salad, fluffy grains, fresh side, herby couscous, parsley lemon
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!