Name: How to Cook Couscous - Printable
Prep time: 2 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 12 min
Yield: 2
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Ingredients: Large Mixing Bowl; Plate; Fork; 120ml (1/2 Cup) Boiling Water; 90g (1/2 Cup) Couscous

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Want to learn how to cook couscous? But don’t know the couscous water ratio, or how much couscous per person? Don’t worry! In this helpful post, I’m going to show you just how easy it is to cook couscous perfectly every time. And get the portion sizes right!

Someone forking couscous on a white plate

What is couscous?

Despite it’s granular, rice-like appearance, couscous is actually made of semolina. Which is a granule of durum wheat. So it’s basically a variety of pasta!

With this in mind, please note that couscous is not gluten free. And not suitable for those who follow a gluten free diet.

Front view of someone salting couscous in a glass bowl

Couscous water ratio

The couscous to water ratio is really very simple. It’s 50/50. But you must remember that it is equal volume. Not weight.

For example. Get your favourite mug out the cupboard. Fill it to the top with couscous. You’re then going to use that same cup, and fill it to the top with boiling water (or other cooking liquid). This is what we mean by a 50/50 volume ratio.

A glass of couscous and a glass of boiling water

How much couscous per person

45g (1/4 Cup) of dried couscous will make a perfectly sized side for 1 person. If you are making your couscous as a main dish, aim for 60g (1/3 Cup) of dried couscous per person.

A plate of flavoured couscous with a fork

How to flavour couscous

Flavouring couscous is very easy to do. The simplest way to boost flavour, in a big way, is to use stock instead of water as the cooking liquid.

You can also use plenty of tasty additions. For example, chopped fresh herbs like parsley, coriander or chives. Diced vegetables make a great accompaniment too. Think peppers, spring onion, or even cooked chopped butternut squash.

Crumbled and cubed cheese is a particularly tasty extra. Feta is a favourite of mine! Flaked almonds also works well, as they add a nice crunch.

Flavoured couscous in a large mixing bowl with a fork

Helpful Tips!

Here are some tips you may find helpful when cooking couscous.

Use the correct liquid to couscous ratio to avoid soggy or undercooked couscous.
Want more flavour? Use stock instead of water as the cooking liquid.
Once you’ve mixed the couscous with the cooking liquid, leave it alone. Don’t be tempted to stir it.
Add a little olive oil or some small cubes of butter to the bowl before adding the couscous for extra flavour. This will help prevent sticking too.
Use a fork to perfectly fluff up your couscous. A spoon just won’t do!

Someone forking flavoured couscous in a mixing bowl

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