Fluffy Herbed Couscous with Apricots and Almonds
This easy, fluffy herbed couscous is tossed with sweet dried apricots, toasted almonds, fresh parsley, and mint, then brightened with lemon zest and juice. It’s a quick, crowd-pleasing side dish perfect for weeknights, potlucks, or holiday spreads.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup couscous (regular, not pearl)
- 1 cup boiling water
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Zest from 1 lemon
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 2 tablespoons fresh mint, chopped
- 1/3 cup dried apricots, chopped
- 1/4 cup sliced almonds, toasted
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- Optional: 2 tablespoons red onion, finely diced
- Optional: 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese
- Optional: 1 tablespoon chopped chives
Instructions
- Measure out 1 cup of water and bring it to a boil using a kettle or saucepan (about 2-3 minutes).
- Place 1 cup couscous in a medium heatproof bowl. Add 1/2 teaspoon salt and stir to combine.
- Pour the boiling water over the couscous, cover tightly with a plate or lid, and let it sit for 5 minutes. Do not uncover during this time.
- While couscous steams, chop dried apricots, toasted almonds (if not pre-toasted, toast in a dry skillet for 2-3 minutes), parsley, and mint. Zest and juice the lemon.
- After 5 minutes, remove the cover and fluff the couscous gently with a fork. If it seems wet or sticky, let it sit uncovered for another minute.
- Add olive oil, lemon zest, lemon juice, chopped parsley, mint, apricots, and almonds to the bowl. Sprinkle in black pepper. Stir gently to combine.
- Taste and adjust seasoning with more salt, lemon, or herbs as desired.
- Transfer to a serving platter or bowl. Garnish with extra herbs or almonds if desired.
Notes
For gluten-free, substitute quinoa for couscous. For nut allergies, use roasted pumpkin seeds or omit almonds. Add herbs and almonds just before serving for best texture. If couscous is dry, add a splash of olive oil or warm water. Flavors improve after a few hours in the fridge.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 1/2 cup (115g)
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 7
- Sodium: 300
- Fat: 8
- Saturated Fat: 1
- Carbohydrates: 33
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 6
Keywords: couscous, herbed couscous, apricots, almonds, easy side dish, vegetarian, Mediterranean, grain salad, potluck, quick recipe