How to Make Couscous for Fluffy, Foolproof Results

It ranks among the tastiest side dishes around and the easiest to prepare, so learning how to cook couscous opens a world of culinary possibilities. While its small size is reminiscent of a grain, couscous is made from semolina flour, making it more comparable to pasta and decidedly not gluten-free.

Couscous stores in the pantry for months, cooks quickly, and readily takes on flavors. This versatile starch comes in various types to suit different preferences, and is welcome in a wide range of dishes, from a breakfast bowl, to soup and salad, to dessert. Watch our video and follow the steps to prepare this North African staple, and then find ways to make it your own.

What You Need

• Saucepan with a lid
• Couscous
• Olive oil or butter
• Salt
• Water
• Dinner fork
• Wooden spoon

How to Cook Couscous

If you can boil water, you can cook couscous. It takes less than 10 minutes from start to finish, and just a fraction of that is hands-on.

The standard ratio for couscous to water is 1:1½. For this recipe, we're using 1 cup couscous (which yields two to three servings) and 1½ cups water. As a flavor enhancer, consider cooking couscous in broth instead of water, in whole or in part.

Step 1: Boil Water

In a saucepan, bring 1½ cups of water to a boil.

Make sure you have a lid that snuggly fits your saucepan. You'll need it later.

Step 2: Add Salt, and Oil or Butter

.Add ½ teaspoon salt to the boiling water and (if desired) a little olive oil or butter to add moisture.

Step 3: Add Couscous and Let Steam

Pour 1 cup couscous into the boiling water, stir once with a spoon, cover with a lid, and then remove the covered saucepan from the heat. Let the couscous steam for 5 minutes.

Step 4: Fluff with a Fork

Fluffing the grains with a fork reverses the tendency for couscous to bind together during cooking. Stir in any flavorful extras—like lemon zest or chopped scallions—and serve.

Suggested Add-Ins

Like white rice or plain pasta, couscous provides a blank culinary canvas that benefits from a wide variety of flavor boosts:

• Go herbaceous with finely chopped cilantro, parsley, or dill.
• Season with onion powder, garlic powder, or ground coriander.
• Brighten with lemon juice or grated lemon rind.
• Take a Mediterranean turn with chopped olives, sundried tomatoes, or dried apricots.
• Evoke Arabian nights with pistachios, slivered almonds, and pomegranate seeds.

With the addition of a few more substantial ingredients, couscous can become a meal in itself:

• Add chopped vegetables—cooked or raw—like peppers, tomatoes, and onions.
• Mix in diced cooked meat—beef, chicken, pork, or shellfish—for a protein boost.
• Make it cheesy with halloumi, feta, Parmesan, or goat cheese.

Whether you serve couscous hot or cold, at a party or a weeknight dinner, or for breakfast or dessert, you'll love its versatility and range. For more ideas, look over our collection of couscous recipes or concoct your own couscous creations.