Best 20 Lemon Couscous Recipes

LEMON HERB CHICKEN WITH COUSCOUS AND CUCUMBER SALAD

Steps:

• Bring chicken broth and 1/2 teaspoon salt to a boil in a saucepan. Stir in couscous. Remove from heat; cover and let stand until broth is absorbed, about 5 minutes. Uncover and fluff with a fork.
• Whisk 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/2 cup olive oil, lemon juice, rosemary, and oregano together in a bowl to make dressing.
• Place chicken breasts in a shallow dish. Drizzle 1/4 cup dressing on top. Season both sides with salt and pepper.
• Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken breasts; cook until golden brown, about 3 minutes per side. Transfer to a large plate. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read at least 165 degrees F (74 degrees C).
• Place 3 tablespoons dressing in a large bowl; stir in sugar. Add tomatoes, cucumber, and red onion; toss to combine. Season with salt and pepper. Add feta cheese and toss again.
• Drizzle remaining dressing over couscous and fold in olives. Divide couscous among 4 plates. Slice chicken breasts and place on top. Serve tomato salad on the side. Sprinkle parsley over each plate.

TOASTED ISRAELI COUSCOUS WITH VEGETABLES AND LEMON-BALSAMIC VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Heat large saute pan on grates of the grill over medium heat. Add couscous and toast until lightly golden brown.
• Bring 6 cups of water to a boil over high heat, add 1 tablespoon salt and toasted couscous and cook until al dente. Drain well and place in a large bowl. Add grilled vegetables, olives, basil, and vinaigrette and toss until combined; season with salt and pepper. Let sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before serving or cover and refrigerate.
• Whisk shallot, juice, zest, vinegars, and salt and pepper together in a small bowl. Slowly whisk in oil until emulsified.

LEMON-PISTACHIO ISRAELI COUSCOUS

Steps:

• 1. Trim the stem end from the lemon and cut it into quarters. Scoop out the pulp and press it through a strainer into a medium-sized bowl to extract the juices; discard the pulp. Finely dice the preserved lemon rind and add it to the bowl along with the parsley, butter, dried fruit, pistachios, salt, and cinnamon.
• 2. Bring a pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the couscous and cook according to the package instructions. Drain and add it to the bowl of fruits and nuts, stirring until the butter is melted and all the ingredients are well mixed. Season with black pepper and serve.

LEMON COUSCOUS WITH BROCCOLI

Steps:

• In a large cast-iron or other heavy skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add broccoli; cook and stir until crisp-tender., Add couscous and garlic; cook and stir 1-2 minutes longer. Stir in broth, lemon zest, lemon juice and seasonings; bring to a boil. Remove from heat; let stand, covered, until broth is absorbed, 5-10 minutes. Fluff with a fork. Sprinkle with almonds.

SKILLET CHICKEN WITH COUSCOUS, LEMON AND HALLOUMI

Steps:

• Zest 1 lemon into a small bowl. Slice off the top and bottom of the zested lemon so that they're flat. Place the lemon upright on a cutting board, and, using a sharp knife, thinly slice off the white pith moving down the length of the lemon in sections. Discard the pith and roughly chop the flesh, removing any seeds you come across. Move the chopped lemon (about 2 tablespoons) and any juice to the bowl. Stir in the halloumi, chopped walnuts, sliced shallot, red-pepper flakes and 2 tablespoons oil. Let marinate as you cook the chicken.
• Pat the chicken pieces dry and season generously with salt. Heat the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high. Place the chicken pieces skin-side down, and cook until golden brown, about 8 minutes. Flip the chicken pieces, and sear chicken to cook further for another 1 to 2 minutes. Transfer the chicken to a plate and set aside.
• Add quartered shallots to the pan and stir to coat in the pan drippings. Lower the heat to medium and cook until golden brown and just tender, about 4 minutes. Add the couscous and stir to coat in the shallot-flavored chicken fat. Add the broth, season with salt and bring up to a simmer.
• Return the chicken to the skillet, skin-side up, along with any liquid from the plate. Add the oregano sprigs, cover with the lid or seal with foil, and cook until the liquid is absorbed, the couscous is tender and the chicken is cooked through, about 15 to 20 minutes. Remove from heat, fluff the couscous and top with halloumi-walnut mixture.
• Cut the remaining lemon in half, remove any seeds and squeeze over the entire pan. Garnish with a handful of fresh parsley and serve.

FENNEL-CRUSTED AHI TUNA WITH LEMON AïOLI OVER COUSCOUS

Steps:

• Combine first 3 ingredients in heavy small skillet. Toast over medium heat until fragrant, shaking skillet occasionally, about 3 minutes. Grind spice mixture in spice grinder. Transfer to bowl; mix in 1 teaspoon salt.
• Whisk mayonnaise, lemon juice, chives, and half of garlic in small bowl. (Can be made 2 days ahead. Store spice mixture airtight at room temperature. Cover and refrigerate lemon aioli.)
• Heat 2 tablespoons oil in heavy large skillet over medium-high heat. Add carrot and onion and sauté until crisp-tender, about 3 minutes. Add thyme and remaining garlic and sauté 1 minute. Add 2 1/4 cups water and remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt; bring to boil. Add sugar snap peas and cook until crisp-tender, about 1 minute. Using slotted spoon, transfer peas to plate. Immediately add couscous to water in skillet and stir to combine. Cover and remove from heat. Let stand 5 minutes. Fluff couscous with fork. Transfer to bowl and cool completely. Mix in sugar snap peas and dill. Season to taste with pepper. (Couscous can be made 2 hours ahead. Let stand at room temperature.)
• Prepare barbecue (high heat). Coat tuna with 6 tablespoons oil. Sprinkle with spice mixture. Grill tuna until seared outside and rare in center, about 4 minutes per side. Refrigerate uncovered for 1 hour, then cut into 1/2-inch-thick slices. Spoon couscous onto plates. Top with tuna and drizzle with lemon aioli.

LEMON-BASIL GRILLED SHRIMP & COUSCOUS

Steps:

• Cook couscous according to package directions; remove from heat. Meanwhile, in a large bowl, whisk lemon juice, oil, mustard, garlic, salt and pepper until blended; stir in 1/4 cup basil. Stir 1/4 cup dressing into cooked couscous; reserve remaining dressing., Thread shrimp onto metal or soaked wooden skewers. Grill shrimp, covered, on an oiled rack over medium-high heat until pink, 2-3 minutes on each side., Remove shrimp from skewers; toss with reserved dressing. Serve with couscous. Sprinkle with lemon zest and remaining basil.

ISRAELI COUSCOUS WITH ROASTED BUTTERNUT SQUASH AND PRESERVED LEMON

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 475°F.
• Halve lemons and scoop out flesh, keeping both flesh and peel. Cut enough peel into 1/4-inch dice to measure 1/4 cup. Put lemon flesh in a sieve set over a bowl and press with back of a spoon to extract juice.
• Toss squash with 1 tablespoon oil and salt to taste in a large shallow baking pan and spread in 1 layer. Roast in upper third of oven 15 minutes, or until squash is just tender, and transfer to a large bowl.
• Cook onion in 1 tablespoon oil in a 10-inch heavy skillet over moderately high heat, stirring occasionally, until just beginning to turn golden. Add to squash.
• Cook couscous with cinnamon stick in a large pot of boiling salted water 10 minutes, or until just tender, and drain in a colander (do not rinse). Add couscous to vegetables and toss with 2 tablespoon oil to coat.
• Add lemon peel and juice, parsley, nuts, raisins, ground cinnamon, and salt to taste. Toss to mix well.
• To adapt this recipe to serve 50:
• 4 to 5 preserved lemons
• 5 lb. butternut squash, peeled and seeded
• 3/4 to 1 cup olive oil
• 3 cups chopped onion
• 7 cups Israeli couscous or acini di pepe (tiny peppercorn-shaped pasta), about 3 lb.
• 4 (3-inch) cinnamon sticks
• 3 cups chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
• 2 cups pine nuts, toasted
• 2 cups golden raisins
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• Preheat oven to 475°F.
• Halve lemons and scoop out flesh, keeping both flesh and peel. Cut enough peel into 1/4-inch dice to measure 1 cup. Put lemon flesh in a sieve set over a bowl and press with back of a spoon to extract juice.
• Cut enough squash into 1/4-inch dice to measure about 12 cups and toss with 1/3 cup oil and salt to taste. Roast in single layers in batches in your largest shallow baking pan in upper third of oven 15 minutes, or until just tender.
• Cook 1/2 of onion in 3 tablespoons oil in a 12-inch heavy skillet over moderately high heat, stirring occasionally, until just beginning to turn golden. Add to squash. Repeat with remaining onion and more oil.
• Cook couscous with cinnamon sticks in an 8-qt. pot of boiling salted water 10 minutes, or until just tender, and drain in a colander (do not rinse). Toss couscous with 3 tablespoons oil in a large bowl. Add squash, onion, lemon peel and juice, and remaining ingredients. Season with salt (you'll need a lot) and toss to mix well.

MOROCCAN MEATLOAF WITH LEMON HONEY GRAVY AND ZUCCHINI COUSCOUS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.
• In a medium bowl, add the meat, 1 small onion, grated on box grater or with handheld flat grater, directly over mixing bowl. Add 2 cloves finely chopped garlic, panko, about 2 tablespoons of the extra-virgin olive oil, the egg, the zest and juice of 1 lemon. Mix to combine. Add the olives, spices, a handful of parsley and a handful of mint. Combine well. Form the mixture into 4 individual rolls and bake on a parchment lined sheet pan until golden brown, about 35 to 40 minutes. The meat loaves may be made ahead and stored; reheat in pan gravy.
• Heat a medium shallow pot over medium heat, add 2 tablespoons butter and melt, then add the remaining garlic, and combine. Stir in the zucchini, season with salt and pepper, to taste, and cook for 5 minutes. Add 1 1/2 cups stock to the pan and bring the mixture to a bubble. Add 1 1/2 cups of couscous and remaining handful of chopped mint. Turn off the heat and cover pan. Let stand for 5 minutes, then fluff with a fork.
• Meanwhile, heat 2 tablespoons butter to a medium skillet over medium to medium-high heat. Whisk the flour into melted butter, then add the Worcestershire sauce and remaining 1 cup of chicken stock, the remaining lemon zest and juice, 1/4 cup honey, and salt and pepper, to taste. Slide the meat loaves into the sauce. (If the meat loaves are cold, tent with foil and gently reheat in low simmering sauce.) Once the meat loaves are warm, transfer them to a serving plate and raise the heat to high. As soon as the sauce becomes syrupy after 1 to 2 minutes, drizzle it over meat and serve with couscous alongside.

COUSCOUS WITH FRESH CILANTRO AND LEMON JUICE

Steps:

• Heat oil in medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Add garlic and turmeric; stir 1 minute.
• Add water, lemon zest, and coarse salt; bring to boil.
• Remove pan from heat. Stir in couscous. Cover; let stand until liquid is absorbed, about 5 minutes.
• Fluff with fork; mix in cilantro and lemon juice. Season with salt and pepper, if desired.
• Serve.

LEMON COUSCOUS SALAD WITH SPINACH, SCALLIONS, AND DILL

Steps:

• In a saucepan bring water to a boil and stir in couscous and salt. Remove pan from heat and let couscous stand, cover 5 minutes. Fluff couscous with a fork and transfer to a bowl. Stir in lemon juice, oil, and salt and pepper to taste and cool couscous completely. Stir in spinach, scallions, and dill and chill salad, covered, at least 2 hours or overnight.

GARLIC LEMON COUSCOUS CAKES

Steps:

• Combine water and salt in saucepan; bring to a boil. Add couscous; cover and remove from heat. Allow to stand for 5 minutes.
• Coarsely chop the garlic in a food processor. Add the mint and pulse until finely chopped. Add the chickpeas and remaining teaspoon salt and pulse until coarsely chopped.
• Uncover the couscous and fluff with a fork.
• In a large bowl, combine couscous, chickpea mixture, eggs, and lemon zest, mixing until well combined. Press the couscous mixture into a 1/4 measuring cup, smooth the top, and invert the measuring cup to release the cake onto a tray. Repeat with the remaining couscous mixture to make 8-9 cakes.
• Refrigerate for 10-15 minutes to allow the mixture to set.
• Heat 1 1/2 tablespoons oil in a large skillet over medium heat until simmering.
• Add about 5 of the couscous cakes to the skillet; use a spatula to lightly flatten to about 3/4-inch thickness.
• Cook, flipping once, until the patties are crisp and golden brown on both sides, about 3-5 minutes per side. Transfer the cooked patties to a paper and keep warm. Add the remaining 1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil to the skillet and cook the remaining cakes the same way.

SHRIMP SCAMPI WITH LEMON COUSCOUS

Steps:

• In a small saucepan, bring broth and 1 tablespoon lemon juice to a boil. Stir in couscous, 1 tablespoon butter, 1 tablespoon parsley and lemon zest. Cover and remove from the heat; let stand for 5 minutes or until liquid is absorbed. , Meanwhile, in a large skillet, stir oil and remaining butter over medium-high heat until butter is melted. Add garlic; cook and stir until tender. Add shrimp; cook for 1 minute on each side or until shrimp turn pink. , Add the wine, salt, pepper and remaining lemon juice; cook 2-3 minutes longer or until heated through. Serve with couscous. Sprinkle with cheese and remaining parsley.

ISRAELI COUSCOUS WITH LEMON, MINT, PEAS, FETA, AND PICKLED SHALL

Steps:

• Bring vinegar, sugar, and pinch salt to simmer in small saucepan over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, until sugar dissolves. Remove pan from heat, add shallots, and stir to combine. Cover and let cool completely, about 30 minutes. Drain and discard liquid.
• Whisk oil, lemon juice, mustard, pepper flakes, and 1/8 teaspoon salt together in large bowl. Add cooled couscous, arugula, mint, peas, 6 tablespoons pistachios, 1/2 cup feta, and shallots and toss to combine. Season with salt and pepper to taste and transfer to serving bowl. Let stand for 5 minutes. Sprinkle with remaining 1/4 cup feta and remaining 2 tablespoons pistachios and serve.
• For Israeli Couscous: Heat 2 cups of couscous and 1 tablespoon olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat, stirring frequently, until about half of grains are golden brown, 5 to 6 minutes. Add 2-1/2 cups of water and 1/2 teaspoon of salt; stir to combine. Increase heat to high and bring to boil. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer, stirring occasionally, until water is absorbed, 9 to 12 minutes. Remove saucepan from heat and let stand, covered, for 3 minutes. Serve.

COUSCOUS WITH FRESH CILANTRO AND LEMON JUICE

Steps:

• Heat oil in medium saucepan over mediumhigh heat. Add garlic and turmeric; stir 1 minute. Add 1 2/3 cups water, lemon peel, and 1/2 teaspoon coarse salt; bring to boil. Remove pan from heat. Stir in couscous. Cover; let stand until liquid is absorbed, about 5 minutes. Fluff with fork; mix in cilantro and lemon juice. Season with pepper and additional coarse salt, if desired.

LEMON SPINACH COUSCOUS

Steps:

• Bring water to a boil.
• Add couscous, butter and salt.
• Remove from heat and let stand 5 minutes.
• In a shallow pan, heat oil.
• Add spinach, lemon juice, pine nuts, and orange peel.
• Cook until spinach wilts slightly and changes color (about 1 minute).
• Remove from heat.
• Mix spinach mixture with couscous.
• Add freshly ground black pepper to taste.

GRILLED MERGUEZ AND ONIONS WITH MINT-LEMON COUSCOUS

Steps:

• Make the couscous: In a medium, heat-resistant bowl, combine boiling water, couscous and 1 teaspoon salt, and cover with a plate or lid. Let sit until the water is absorbed, 7 to 12 minutes. Fluff with a fork and set aside.
• Meanwhile, light the grill to medium-high or heat your broiler with the rack 3 inches from the heat source.
• Halve lemons crosswise and then squeeze the juice from one half into a large bowl. Add cumin, remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper. Slowly whisk in 1/3 cup olive oil. Stir in radishes and set aside to marinate.
• Place onion wedges and remaining 3 lemon halves, cut-side down, in a grill basket and grill until charred on one side only, 2 to 4 minutes. Or place on a sheet pan and broil until charred, 5 minutes. Transfer onions and lemons to a cutting board.
• Either on the grill, or on the same sheet pan as you used for the onions, grill or broil merguez until browned all over, 2 to 4 minutes per side. Transfer sausages to a cutting board and cover with foil to keep warm while you assemble the salad.
• When onion is cool enough to handle, dice it and add to radishes. Fold in couscous, tomatoes, 1/2 cup mint, 1/2 cup parsley, cucumbers, nuts and a large pinch of salt. Squeeze the juice from a charred lemon half into the bowl. Taste and add more salt and lemon, if needed. Slice merguez on a bias into 1/2-inch pieces.
• To serve, spoon couscous salad onto a platter, then top with sausages and any accumulated juices. Garnish with remaining herbs and a big drizzle of olive oil, and serve with remaining charred lemon halves on the side for more squeezing.

SAUCY MOROCCAN CHICKEN AND LEMON WITH DATE COUSCOUS

Steps:

• Sprinkle both sides of the lemon slices with the sugar, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and a few grinds of pepper. Arrange on a plate and let stand 10 minutes.
• Bring 2 cups of water to a boil in a medium saucepan with 1 tablespoon of oil and a pinch of salt and add the couscous and dates. Cover, remove from the heat, and set aside until tender, about 10 minutes. Fluff with a fork and stir in half of the cilantro. Cover and keep warm.
• Combine the cinnamon, coriander, 1 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper. Sprinkle over the chicken. Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook, flipping once, until the chicken is golden brown on both sides (but not cooked all the way through), about 3 minutes per side. Transfer to a plate. Wipe out the skillet.
• Add the remaining tablespoon of oil to the skillet and return to medium heat. Add the lemon slices in a single layer and cook until golden brown and caramelized on both sides, 1 to 2 minutes per side. Transfer to the plate with the chicken.
• Add the tomato paste to the skillet and cook, stirring, until the paste is a shade darker, about 1 minute. Add 1 1/2 cups water, the chickpeas, chicken, and lemon slices and simmer, flipping the chicken occasionally, until the chicken is just cooked through, about 12 minutes. Stir in the remaining cilantro and serve on top of the couscous.

LEMON DATE COUSCOUS

Steps:

• Cook couscous according to package directions., Meanwhile, in a small bowl, combine the spinach, carrots, dates, almonds, lemon juice, zest, salt and lemon pepper. Stir in couscous. Garnish with green onions.

COUSCOUS WITH OLIVES AND LEMON

Steps:

• Cook garlic in oil in a 2- to 3-quart wide heavy saucepan over moderate heat, stirring frequently, until golden, 1 to 2 minutes. Add water and salt and bring to a boil. Stir in remaining ingredients, then cover pan and remove from heat. Let stand, undisturbed, 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork.