What to Serve with Couscous? 10 BEST Side Dishes

If you have ever had a plate of couscous, you’ll know how wholesome and delicious this Maghrebi dish is.

It is easily cooked by steaming it in broth.

You can make couscous with either couscous flour, semolina, or a blend of both.

Semolina is grounded from durum wheat which is a hard wheat with a rich amount of protein.

This dish has a nutty taste.

You can change the flavor profile with some hot pepper and onion.

One thing to keep in mind about couscous is that it is not gluten-free, as it has wheat as the main ingredient.

Why Consider Serving Side Dishes for Couscous?

Couscous is a popular dish around the world, and it is usually eaten on its own.

But the world is never short of creative people who have found a tastier way to enjoy this savory global dish.

The prominent ingredients that you’ll find in couscous are grain, veggies, and sauce.

While this dish is packed with beneficial nutrients and protein, you can enjoy the dish in a much more scrumptious way by adding some complimentary side dishes to it.

Also, couscous is a versatile dish that tastes great with a lot of things.

So, when it comes to side dishes for couscous, there are a wide variety of options to choose from.

What to Serve with Couscous? 10 BEST Side Dishes

1 – Zigni Berbere

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What could go wrong with a blend of spicy chicken stew and wheat? Zigni Berbere is a fancy name for an Ethiopian spicy chicken stew.

It is one of the most popular side dishes for couscous.

You can easily make this side dish if you have berbere, which is a mixed spice containing cloves, chili pepper, cardamon, and ginger.

The chicken should be tender so that it adds to the texture of the stew.

It is best to cook over a low flame so that the stew boils evenly.

2 – Garlic Tofu

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Garlic may not be everyone’s favorite, but it is still considered a highly popular ingredient in a wide assortment of dishes around the world.

This side recipe has a flavor that is neither too bland nor too strong but has a perfect balance.

Garlic Tofu not only fills your stomach and enhances the overall taste of couscous, but it is also rich in protein, making it a great choice for vegetarians and vegans.

Whether you’re a vegetarian or a meat eater, the subtle flavor of this side dish will excite your taste buds.

3 – Beef Stew

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Couscous paired with beef stew is a delicious blend that you can serve anytime and any day.

It is an easy recipe and doesn’t take much time and effort to prepare a delicious pot of hot and steamy beef stew.

Making beef stew can have different preparation methods.

But the most popular one is to dice, cut, or mince the meat, add other ingredients and water to it and let it cook for a specific time.

Beef stew is rich in protein and iron, making it a nutritious dish to serve with couscous.

Another good news for people trying to maintain weight is that beef stew contains low calories.

4 – Moroccan Chicken Tagine

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If you have the ingredients, why not try your hand at making a Moroccan dish? A tagine can either be made with chicken, beef, or lamb.

This hearty and savory dish is laden with vegetables and spices for a distinct Moroccan flavor.

To make Moroccan Chicken Tagine, cook chicken until it becomes tender.

Let it turn a burnt brown before you put it into the tagine pot to enhance its flavor.

You can add other ingredients like garlic and ginger to personalize the flavor.

This versatile side dish also has room for dried fruits and cilantro.

Be sure to maintain a delicate balance between the ingredients so that the right flavor is achieved.

5 – Chickpea Salad

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The chickpea salad is the best side dish for anyone looking for a healthy and scrumptious salad.

This fresh mix of sweet potatoes, onions, and tomatoes is rich in nutrients and adds to your daily fiber intake.

The presence of chili pepper in salad also makes this side dish something you just can’t stop eating.

This salad has plain low-fat ingredients.

This makes it a good choice for people who don’t want to gain extra weight.

The ingredients that go into this salad are flexible.

You can keep or take the ingredients to suit your taste.

And it makes the perfect side dish for couscous.

6 – Ratatouille

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Ratatouille must be familiar to those who have watched the animated movie based on the same name.

If this French classic could win the heart of the stony critic, there is no denying that there’s something special about it.

Considered a peasant dish, ratatouille is a dish made of tender summer vegetables.

The dish is then topped with thick tomato sauce.

A serving of this side dish has 158 calories.

The trick to making this French sauce in perfection is to saute the veggies in separate pots.

This way, everything will be perfectly cooked to deliver the taste you seek.

7 – Grilled Pork Chops with Chimichurri

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There are some dishes that pork blends perfectly with, and this includes couscous.

If you love pork, this is a must-try recipe to serve with couscous.

These grilled pork chops are made like it’s meant to serve as a side dish for couscous.

The rich texture and meaty flavor of pork go perfectly well with the healthy main course of couscous.

To make grilled pork chops with chimichurri, just rub a spicy Mexican spice and grill it to get the smoky flavor.

Then, cover the pork chops with a chimichurri dressing and enjoy this special and unique side dish for couscous.

8 – Sauteed Mushrooms

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Guaranteed to impress and delight, sauteed mushrooms are a favorite with a huge crowd of people.

Pair it with couscous, and you get a blend of two delicious yet healthy dishes that will give you the energy and health you need.

Sauteed mushrooms are high in natural umami flavors, so you’ll surely enjoy its taste when you have it along with couscous.

Be it coriander or garlic parmesan; there is no limit to what you wish to add to the dish.

So, if you haven’t tried this flavorful dish yet, now would be a good time.

9 – Mashed Chickpeas and Broccoli Dish

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A vegetable salad is packed with essential nutrients and vitamins necessary for good health.

The combination of mashed chickpeas and broccoli will provide you both a fresh taste and health benefits.

This side dish is quite a popular option among vegetarians as it offers a good amount of both protein and fiber.

Mashed chickpeas are rich in protein, while broccoli is packed with fiber.

10 – Roasted Vegetables

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The reason why roasted vegetables get listed in the list of the best side dishes is because of their versatility and ease of preparation.

Also, roasted vegetables are more flavor-intense and offer the perfect balance and texture to many dishes.

Roasted vegetables are flawlessly suitable to accompany a dish of couscous.

It brings on a distinct roasted smell with lots of nutritional value.

If you want a tasty side dish without having to spend too much effort on it, then this recipe would be a great choice.

Conclusion

Whether it is a side chicken dish or a simple sauteed mushroom dish, a side dish will significantly improve the taste quality of couscous.

The above dishes we’ve compiled are just a few examples among the endless possibilities.

This versatile dish can make room for creativity for any passionate cook.

It is very unlikely for most side dishes not to go along with the taste of couscous.

So, whether you’re a beginner or someone with advanced cooking skills, preparing a side dish for couscous should be a breeze and a delicious experience.