Perfect Pairings: 8 BEST Side Dishes to Serve with Couscous

Couscous is a Maghrebi dish made up of either semolina, couscous flour, or a mixture of the two.

It can be prepared by steaming in broth or stock, then fluffing with a fork before serving.

Couscous tastes deliciously nutty and savory due to its unique flavor profile that consists of spices like onion powder and harissa.

If you prefer a spicy kick, you can add sliced hot peppers or red pepper flakes to your couscous.

It will take on a different flavor profile but will be just as tasty. There are many delicious ways to serve couscous.

The dish can be topped with spicy chorizo or vegan sausage crumbles if you are in the mood for a sauteéd meat alternative.

It is also wonderful topped with roasted vegetables like broccoli and cauliflower.

You can also add couscous to your favorite soups. This will thicken the broth and give it more substance.

The dish is delicious on its own but can also be served as a side with dishes like pasta, potatoes, or even stir fry.

In this article, we will list 8 of the best dishes to serve with couscous.

Why Consider Serving Side Dishes for Couscous?

As an international dish, couscous is often eaten on its own.

But why do this when you can complement it with other delicious foods?

Couscous dishes are generally made up of three main components: grain, vegetables, and sauce or seasoning.

These same principles can be applied to side dishes, too.

Couscous is a great alternative to a salad as a first course, especially if you mix things up.

It provides a lighter start to a meal and is packed with protein and nutrients, too.

So many ingredients go well with couscous, so it’s easy to experiment with different flavors.

A popular pairing for couscous is chicken. Chicken is a good source of lean protein, which helps your body boosts its metabolism.

We’ve given you five ideas about how to serve side dishes for couscous below. Give them a try.

What to Serve with Couscous? 8 BEST Side Dishes

Here we’ll take a look at the top 8 side dishes that we think go well with couscous.

1 – Garlic Tofu

Do you love the taste of soy sauce-flavored dishes but aren’t a huge fan of meat? If so, this is the recipe for you.

This garlic tofu side dish has just enough flavor to give you that ‘umami’ hit.

It’s also packed with protein and is simple to make. If you’re a vegetarian or vegan, this dish is perfect for you.

Not only does it provide the protein that your body needs, but it also tastes great and will leave you feeling full and satisfied.

Even meat-eaters who prefer lighter dishes with a subtle flavor won’t be able to resist this delicious side dish.

2 – Zigni Berbere (Spicy Chicken Stew)

Zigni Berbere is a spicy chicken stew that originates from Ethiopia.

The dish is made with berbere, a spice blend that contains chili peppers, ginger, cardamom, and cloves.

The result is a stew that is warming and aromatic, with a complex depth of flavor.

The chicken is typically cooked until it is fall-off-the-bone tender, and the stew is often served over injera, a spongy sourdough flatbread.

When made correctly, Zigni Berbere is a delicious and satisfying dish. Here are some tips to help you make the perfect batch:

• Use good quality berbere. If you can’t find berbere at your local store, you can easily make it at home using chili peppers, ginger, cardamom, cloves, and other spices.
• Cook the chicken until it is very tender. This will ensure that the flavors of the stew have a chance to permeate the meat.
• Be patient when simmering the stew. Allowing it to cook slowly will allow the flavors to develop and meld together.
• Serve with injera or another type of flatbread. This will help to absorb some of the heat from the spices and round out the meal. Enjoy!

3 – Chickpea Salad

Do you like the idea of adding roasted vegetables to your couscous, but you’re not sure what they should be? This chickpea salad is worth trying out.

We’ve combined sweet potato cubes with tomatoes and onion because all three are high in fiber and nutrients.

The dressing for this dish is also made of low-fat ingredients, so it’s a great option if you’re watching your weight.

This salad is also perfect for those who love spicy food because it provides a good dose of capsaicin, the compound found in chili peppers that gives them their heat.

4 – Roasted Vegetables

This is another side dish that will go perfectly with your couscous.

Roasting vegetables has become increasingly popular because it’s a simple and effective way to prepare foods.

Not only does it taste delicious, but it also brings out the flavors of ingredients.

One of the best things about this salad is preparing the ingredients and then leaving them in the oven while you prepare your couscous.

It doesn’t require much attention, so it’s perfect if you’re busy or tired after work.

This salad also features nuts and seeds, which add healthy fats to your diet and keep you feeling full for longer.

So depending on whether you’re trying to lose weight or maintain your current weight, this side dish could be the perfect one to choose.

5 – Moroccan Chicken Tagine

A tagine is a Moroccan dish that is typically made with chicken, but can also be made with lamb or beef.

The protein is stewed with spices and vegetables, and the dish is served with bread or rice.

Chicken tagine is a flavorful and hearty dish that will leave you feeling satisfied.

The chicken is cooked until it is fall-off-the-bone tender, and the vegetables are infused with the rich flavors of the spice blend.

• Be sure to brown the chicken before adding it to the tagine pot, this will help to create a deeper flavor;
• Use fresh ginger and garlic for a more pronounced flavor;
• Add dried fruit towards the end of cooking for a sweetness that balances out the savory spices.

You can also serve your chicken tagine over steamed couscous or rice, and garnish with chopped parsley or cilantro.

6 – Mashed Chickpeas and Broccoli Dish

By combining two healthy ingredients in one recipe, you’re bound to end up with a tasty dish.

This mashed chickpea and broccoli side is another great example of how versatile vegetables can be when it comes to cooking.

We’ve decided to use broccoli because it’s very healthy and provides a range of nutrients.

Broccoli is also high in fiber, so it will keep you feeling full longer without being high in calories or fat.

Mashed chickpeas are another great source of protein, which makes this dish ideal for vegetarians or vegans who may struggle to get enough protein from their diet.

7 – Roasted Leg of Lamb

This roasted leg of lamb is another great example of how delicious eating healthy can be.

Not only will it leave you feeling satisfied, but it’s also high in protein, which makes it perfect for vegetarians and meat-eaters alike.

To make this meal as healthy as possible, we’ve made sure that the lamb leg is cooked with minimal oil, avoiding adding unwanted fats to your diet.

We’ve also decided to roast the vegetables in the same pan as the lamb because this is another simple but effective cooking method.

This meal will be a talking point between you and your guests or family members.

8 – Beef Stew

It’s not just chicken that makes the best stew.

This beef stew is high in protein and iron, which is essential to maintaining healthy blood cells.

If you’re tired of your usual stew recipes, then this dish will be worth trying out.

It’s also surprisingly low in calories, so it’s perfect for those who are watching their weight.

Making beef stew is an easy and simple way to prepare a healthy meal.

You can use either beef mince or diced beef, depending on the recipe that you prefer.

You can add whatever vegetables you have at home, which means that this dish is perfect for using up leftovers.

Conclusion

Couscous is just one dish that you can prepare to serve with these healthy sides, but there are so many different dishes that you can try.

You could even create your recipes by combining ingredients in new ways.

No matter what kind of dish you choose, these side dishes will make a perfect accompaniment to whatever you’re serving.

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