Moroccan Lemon Mint Couscous
Elevate your mealtime with the vibrant flavors of Moroccan Lemon Mint Couscous, a quick and easy dish brimming with fresh ingredients and aromatic spices. This zesty couscous is infused with the brightness of lemon zest and juice, complemented by the cool freshness of finely chopped mint leaves. Sweet raisins and toasted slivered almonds add delightful textural contrast, while warm spices like cumin and cinnamon bring a touch of North African flair. Juicy cherry tomatoes and crisp cucumber make this dish as refreshing as it is satisfying. Ready in just 15 minutes, this versatile recipe can be served warm, at room temperature, or chilled—perfect as a light vegetarian main or an enticing side for any occasion.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1 cup couscous
- 1 cup water
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 whole lemon (zest and juice)
- 0.25 cup fresh mint leaves, finely chopped
- 0.25 cup raisins
- 0.25 cup slivered almonds, toasted
- 0.5 teaspoons ground cumin
- 0.25 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 0.5 teaspoons salt
- 0.25 teaspoons black pepper
- 0.5 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 0.5 cup cucumber, diced
Instructions
Start by preparing the couscous. Bring 1 cup of water to a boil in a medium saucepan.
Remove the saucepan from heat and stir in 1 cup of couscous, 1 tablespoon of olive oil, and 0.5 teaspoons of salt.
Cover the saucepan and let the couscous sit for 5 minutes to absorb the water.
Meanwhile, zest and juice the lemon. Finely chop the fresh mint leaves, and toast the slivered almonds if not already done.
Once the couscous has absorbed the water, fluff it with a fork to separate the grains.
Transfer the couscous to a large mixing bowl and drizzle with the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil.
Add the lemon zest, lemon juice, chopped mint, raisins, toasted almonds, ground cumin, ground cinnamon, black pepper, cherry tomatoes, and cucumber to the bowl.
Gently toss all the ingredients together until evenly combined.
Taste and adjust seasoning with more salt or lemon juice if needed.
Serve the couscous warm, at room temperature, or chilled as a refreshing side dish or light main course.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
814 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 44.8 g | 57% | |
| Saturated Fat | 5.5 g | 28% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2.8 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% | |
| Sodium | 1517 mg | 66% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 97.7 g | 36% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 15.8 g | 56% | |
| Total Sugars | 35.9 g | ||
| Protein | 18.8 g | 38% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 378 mg | 29% | |
| Iron | 8.1 mg | 45% | |
| Potassium | 1456 mg | 31% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
