How to Make the Fluffiest Couscous

Next time you need a last-minute starch to round out your dinner plate, consider couscous.

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Photo:

Cara Cormack

Couscous is one of the tastiest side dishes around and one of the easiest to prepare in a hurry. It's the perfect accompaniment for a spring lamb and vegetable stew, one of our favorite easy Easter dinner ideas. Whether you're learning how to prepare couscous for a yummy side paired with mini burgers or adding it to a protein-packed salad, knowing how to cook this tasty grain will prove fruitful in the kitchen for many versatile dishes. Watch our video demonstration on making it, and then try some of our most loved basic couscous recipes, like a couscous with apricot vinaigrette and Moroccan couscous salad.

What You Need

  • Saucepan
  • Couscous
  • Olive oil or butter
  • Salt
  • Water
  • Dinner fork
  • Wooden spoon
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Cara Cormack

Follow These Steps

  1. Boil water.
    For each cup of dry couscous, use 1½ cups of water. Bring to boil in saucepan.
  2. Add salt and oil or butter.
    Add ½ teaspoon salt to the water and a little olive oil or butter if desired to add moisture.
  3. Add couscous and let steam.
    Pour 1 cup couscous into boiling water, stir once with a spoon, cover with a lid, and remove from heat. Let the couscous steam for five minutes.
  4. Fluff with a fork.
    Couscous grains tend to bind together in the cooking process, so fluff the grains with a fork. Before serving, stir in any flavorful extras like lemon zest or chopped scallions.
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