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This easy vegan couscous recipe is made with just a handful of ingredients and takes just 20 minutes to cook. Use it as a side dish for meals or add a healthy plant-based protein and it turns into a tasty main dish.
I love couscous! It cooks so quickly which makes it perfect for busy weeknight dinners. If you enjoy this recipe, you might also love this pesto couscous and pearl couscous salad.
You can even turn this into a delicious vegan couscous bowl for an easy-to-carry lunch meal.
Why This Recipe Works
- Quick and easy. This easy veggie couscous recipe is ready in a snap.
- Make it into a main. Add your favorite plant-based protein such as tofu, chickpeas, or black beans to this vegan couscous recipe to make it a hearty main dish.
- Healthy and delicious. Fresh veggies add tons of nutrition to this delicious vegan couscous recipe.
- Tired of pasta and rice? Couscous with veggies makes a nice change in your side dish rotation.
What is Couscous?
Couscous is closely related to semolina. Both are made with durum wheat that is coarsely ground rather than finely ground like flour. Couscous is a bit larger in size than semolina.
It is a staple of North African cuisine and can be served sweet as a porridge or served up with vegetables in more savory dishes. The types and flavors vary greatly depending on the country serving it.
It gets its name from the special pot, couscoussière, which has a perforated aspect that holds the couscous over the water to steam it rather than boiling it.
Since couscous is made with durum wheat, it is more closely related to pasta than to grains. It has a light and fluffy texture along with a relatively neutral flavor making it perfect for picking up the flavors of the other ingredients in the dish.
What Goes Into Veggie Couscous
This easy couscous recipe requires only four simple ingredients to make.
- Dried couscous: Use any variety of couscous you prefer and follow the instructions on the box for making it.
- Vegetable oil: Any vegetable oil will work. Olive oil, grapeseed oil, and sunflower oil are just a few of my favorites.
- Veggies: Fresh asparagus, bell pepper, and tomato.
- Garlic cloves: Fresh is best for flavor.
How To Make Vegan Couscous Recipe
- 1) Cook couscous according to the package instructions.
- 2) Heat a large skillet over medium heat, add the oil and let it heat. Next add in your asparagus, bell pepper, and garlic, and cook until tender, about 5 to 8 minutes.
- 3) Season with salt and pepper. Fold the veggies into the couscous along with the diced tomato. Serve up veggie couscous warm or room temperature.
Expert Tips
- Follow the instructions on the package of couscous. You can use this vegan couscous recipe with fine-grain couscous or the larger size Israeli couscous but the cooking time is slightly different.
- Don’t overcook the veggies. Leaving the vegetables with a bit of crunch makes a better-tasting veggie couscous.
- Works hot or cold. This means you can eat it hot for dinner and save the leftovers to carry for an easy weekday lunch.
FAQs
Couscous is naturally vegan so you can add any vegan ingredients to it for meals. It especially loves to be paired with dried apricots, nuts, cinnamon, mint, lemon, oranges, tomatoes, chickpeas, kale, garlic, and asparagus.
The ratio of water to couscous is generally around 1:1 which means for every cup of couscous you will need one cup of water. Couscous can be prepared by soaking or using a pilaf method. To soak, boiling water is poured over the couscous and left to sit and soak up the water. In the pilaf method, it is first toasted in plant-based butter or oil and then cooked with broth or water.
What Goes with Couscous
The neutral flavors of couscous make it the starting point for a wide variety of preparations. It works as a sweet or savory dish, so serve it up with dried fruits, chopped vegetables, and nuts.
Also, it works cold in salads or you can serve it hot in porridge or as a main or side dish similar to a pilaf or bowl.
- Main dish: Use the leftovers as a lunch bowl and add on some crispy chickpeas or savory tofu to the top.
- Side dish: Add it to any meal like you would a rice pilaf or pasta side dish.
More Easy Side Dishes Recipes
Photos by Alfonso Revilla
Vegan Couscous with Veggies
Ingredients
- 1 cup of dried couscous
- 1 Tablespoon of vegetable oil
- 6 spears of asparagus, chopped into ¼-inch pieces
- 1 bell pepper diced
- 1 medium tomato diced
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a medium pan, cook couscous according to the package instructions.
- Heat a large pan over medium heat, heat oil. Add in your asparagus, bell pepper, and garlic, and cook until tender, about 5 to 8 minutes.
- To season, add a little salt & pepper. Fold in with couscous and diced tomato, and serve warm.
Notes
- Add extra flavor: Lemon juice with minced parsley pair nicely with this dish.
- Don’t overcook the veggies. Leaving the vegetables with a bit of crunch makes a better-tasting veggie couscous.
- Works hot or cold. This means you can eat it hot for dinner and save the leftovers to carry for an easy weekday lunch.
Nutrition
Disclaimer: Although plantbasedonabudget.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, kindly note that these are only estimates. Nutritional information may be affected based on the product type, the brand that was purchased, and in other unforeseeable ways. Plantbasedonabudget.com will not be held liable for any loss or damage resulting for your reliance on nutritional information. If you need to follow a specific caloric regimen, please consult your doctor first.
My family loves this recipe!! Also, I miss Margaret, the recipe creator!!
Always a goodie! Loved her on the plant-powered people podcast!
I haven’t seen the yellow couscous before! This looks so good!
You’d love it!
Such a fantastic meal! Love how simple this one is!
I haven’t seen the yellow couscous before! This looks so good!
The simple ones are always the best one!
Perfect for summer days! It is delicious and healthy!
Yess! Easy, refreshing, and delicious!
I love the combination of couscous with veggies! It’s easy to switch things up by using different veggies in season, too. Yum!
Definitely, plus super filling and wholesome too!
This couscous looks wonderful! Love that it only takes a handful of ingredients to make too.
So easy and delicious!
I so wanted to love this, it was quck and pretty, however it was bland.I had to pump up the seasoning. I added chick peas, curry powder parley more garlic and salt. I would make it again with adjustments. I used regular toasted couscous but think it wouldve been better with Israeli couscous.
So good! So quick! My family loved the asparagus addition! Winner!
Awesome! Such a great meal to enjoy asparagus with!
I can’t wait to try this recipe! So easy to make, and I’m sure very delish 🙂
It’s a good one! Let us know what you think 🙂
Love how quick it is to whip up. So good!
This veggie couscous was so delicious and I loved how easy it was to make! I love the texture of it!
So glad you enjoyed it! 🙂
This couscous is fantastic! Love how many vegetables are in this recipe, and how simple it is to make!
Nutrient-packed and delicious! Always a great dinner idea!
I love couscous recipe ideas. I fell in love with it when my kids were babies. Love your recipe, thanks!
They’re always so wholesome!
Couscous is just fabulous when you haven’t got much time or headspace to make a meal. I have asparagus and peppers, so I know what I’m eating tonight.
Definitely! Nothing like a simple delicious and easy to whip up meal!
You had me at “takes less than 15 minutes!” 😉 I love simple, but tasty (and savory) recipes and this one is a keeper. Thank you!
The quick ones are always a winner!