Instant Pot Couscous is a quick and easy side dish for any supper, and it’s ready in just a few minutes! Serve the couscous simply or with vegetables for a balanced meal!
Couscous is fantastic since it can be prepared quickly! Including the time it takes the Instant Pot to heat up, it’s ready in less than 10 minutes!
Making pasta or your chosen grains is a breeze with the Instant Pot!
If you like couscous, then you should try our “Vegan Couscous Recipes” and “Best Parmesan Couscous Recipes“.
But first of all the question that arises in your mind is what is couscous? So Don’t Worry! Here is your answer.
Page Contents
What is Couscous?
Due to its ease of preparation, couscous has gained a lot of popularity in recent years. Although many people might mistakenly believe it to be a grain, it is really rolled semolina flour.
Then, to create little pasta pieces, this wheat is mixed with water.
Couscous Types
Moroccan Couscous
This is the kind of couscous we’ll be using because it’s what most people think of when they think of couscous. When time is of the essence, this dish is ideal to prepare because it simply takes a few minutes to cook.
Moroccan couscous made with whole wheat is also available.
Lebanese Couscous
Israeli couscous is quite bigger and more resembles ordinary pasta than Lebanese couscous. Because the durum or semolina wheat flour is roasted before being made into balls, it has a nutty taste and is golden brown.
Israeli Couscous
Often known as pearl couscous, is bigger than Moroccan couscous and has a pearl-like size. This is mostly used in salads and cooks likewise to long-grain rice.
Instant Pot Couscous Recipe
Spicy veggie couscous prepared using the Instant Pot! It is quick, simple, and quite tasty. A completely vegetarian main course or side dish that is both healthy and appropriate for a meatless Monday supper.
Given that this couscous cooks in a pressure cooker in a matter of seconds, it’s ideal for a quick weekday meal or lunch. It may be eaten on its own or with shrimp, chicken, or salmon.
Ingredients
- Use canned chickpeas if you want (I made my own homemade instant pot chickpeas for this recipe)
- Frozen veggies in a variety
- Red bell peppers
- Onion
- Chicken stock can be replaced with water or veggie stock
- Replace the vegetable oil with olive oil
- Spices (Cumin, Turmeric, Paprika, Coriander, Cardamom, and Cinnamon)
Directions to Make
- Put salt, turmeric, cumin, cardamom, coriander, paprika, cardamom, cardamom, and granulated garlic in a bowl and leave aside
- Include vegetable oil. Once it’s heated, add the red bell pepper and onion, also diced, and cook until soft. Stir in the chickpeas and frozen veggies after adding them
- After adding the stock, stir the mixture of vegetables. After mixing the couscous with the stock, top it off with the spices
- Carefully do a rapid release when the pressure cooker has finished its cycle. With a fork, fluff the couscous after lifting the top
- Before serving with any protein of choice or on its own, let stand for a minute or two
Variations and Add-Ins in an Instant Pot Couscous
Include Some New Veggies
For the ideal side dish for supper, sauté red bell peppers, zucchini, onions, and garlic before adding the couscous!
Make it Vegan
Use hot water or vegetable stock as a simple side dish in place of chicken broth.
Make it a Main Dish
Cook the ground beef in the electric pressure cooker for 5 minutes, or until it is well cooked. Close the cover on the Instant Pot after adding the couscous and liquid.
Storage Methods For Cooked Couscous
When stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator, this veggie couscous keeps for up to 3 days.
You may reheat this in the microwave, and you can also have it cold.
You can make an instant pot couscous recipe with the recipe that is described below.
Instant Pot Couscous with Turmeric and Feta
Say goodbye to bland couscous and welcome to tasty couscous bursting with mild spices. With turmeric, feta, and fresh parsley, this 15-minute Instant Pot couscous is a beautiful side dish or salad topping.
Ingredients
- Oil (I used ghee for taste, but butter or olive oil would also work)
- Spices (This dish is spiced with equal portions of turmeric, black pepper, and garlic for a warm, delicious flavor. Please feel free to try other dry spices that you like)
- Pearl couscous (If you wish to use Moroccan or Lebanese couscous)
- Broth (This gives your couscous taste. You may either use chicken or veggie broth)
- Fresh herbs (Fresh parsley gives this recipe color and freshness, but you may also use basil or mint)
- Crumbled feta (While completely optional, they come highly suggested. Your couscous meal will “pop” because of the tanginess, saltiness, and color contrast provided by the feta)
Directions to Make
- Black pepper, ghee, turmeric, and garlic are added. Cook the spices for about 30 seconds, or until they are aromatic
- Stir the couscous into the melted ghee and spice mixture after adding it. After toasting for about a minute
- Place the pressure cooker’s cover on and add the veggie broth
- Stir, transfer to a serving dish, and top with chopped parsley and feta
Health Benefits of Instant Pot Couscous
Source of Protein
It’s critical that we get enough protein in our meals to maintain the health and strength of our bodies. For those who regularly consume lean meat and dairy, this might sound clear, but it’s more difficult for others who must adhere to dietary limitations.
Adding extra protein to your diet is easy with couscous. Traditional Pearl Couscous has 8 grams of protein per serving, although it is not a complete source of protein (one that includes all necessary amino acids).
Instant Pot Couscous May Reduce Cancer Risk
Choosing whole-grain couscous may reduce your risk of growing cancer. Greater grain consumption is associated with a reduced risk of colorectal, pancreatic, and gastric cancers compared to less grain consumption.
There is strong evidence, according to researchers, that those who eat more whole grains experience fewer overall cancer mortality.
Could Reduce the Risk of Cardiovascular Disease
Due to its high fiber content, whole-grain couscous may promote general heart health. The equilibrium of your weight, blood sugar and cholesterol levels are all improved by eating adequate fiber.
Enhancing these areas of your health also benefits your cardiovascular health by lowering your risk of heart disease. Additionally, studies suggest that those who eat more whole grains have a decreased risk of cardiovascular disease.
Instant Pot Couscous is a Source of Energy Boosting Carbohydrates
The body prefers to get its energy from carbs. To enhance training and recuperation, active people should add even more carbs to a balanced diet.
Choose whole-grain couscous if you can get it since around half of your daily grain consumption needs to come from whole grains.
Immune System May Be Boosted
Selenium has a unique method of strengthening the immune system in addition to its natural antioxidant properties, which help prevent the growth of free radicals and other pollutants in the circulation and the body’s systems.
In fact, selenium encourages the regeneration of vitamins C and E, which are essential components of the body’s defense mechanisms.
Overall, adding couscous to your diet may significantly strengthen your body’s natural defenses.
Instant Pot Couscous Could Increase Muscle Mass
As a necessary component of protein metabolism and muscle growth, selenium is one of the crucial components of building muscle mass.
According to studies, a selenium shortage is a key contributor to muscle deterioration, excessive tiredness, and overall body weakness.
Due to the difficulty in naturally obtaining selenium, couscous might be one of the finest options for increasing your muscle growth.
FAQs
It will take around 15 minutes to cook pearl couscous in boiling water on the stove. It will just take 8 minutes to cook in an Instant Pot.
For up to 4 days, store couscous in the refrigerator in an airtight container. Couscous may also be frozen for up to three months in an airtight container. Place the couscous in the refrigerator until it defrosts when you’re ready to use it.
Conclusion
This couscous made in an instant pot is simple, fast, and tasty. For a delicious side dish, prepare fluffy, soft Israeli couscous and pearl couscous.
You can also use them in soups, stews, and fresh pasta salads. For the inexperienced instant pot user, a healthy and adaptable dish.
You might enjoy the following other articles.