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.

Nutriscore Rating: 70/100

Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:5 mins

Total Time:15 mins

Servings: 4

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

Directions

Step 1

Start by preparing the couscous. Bring 1 cup of water to a boil in a medium saucepan.

Step 2

Remove the saucepan from heat and stir in 1 cup of couscous, 1 tablespoon of olive oil, and 0.5 teaspoons of salt.

Step 3

Cover the saucepan and let the couscous sit for 5 minutes to absorb the water.

Step 4

Meanwhile, zest and juice the lemon. Finely chop the fresh mint leaves, and toast the slivered almonds if not already done.

Step 5

Once the couscous has absorbed the water, fluff it with a fork to separate the grains.

Step 6

Transfer the couscous to a large mixing bowl and drizzle with the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil.

Step 7

Add the lemon zest, lemon juice, chopped mint, raisins, toasted almonds, ground cumin, ground cinnamon, black pepper, cherry tomatoes, and cucumber to the bowl.

Step 8

Gently toss all the ingredients together until evenly combined.

Step 9

Taste and adjust seasoning with more salt or lemon juice if needed.

Step 10

Serve the couscous warm, at room temperature, or chilled as a refreshing side dish or light main course.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	821.5 grams (821.5g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	815

Total Fat 44.80g	57%
Saturated Fat 5.50g	28%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.80g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 1517mg	66%
Total Carbohydrate 97.70g	36%
Dietary Fiber 15.80g	56%
Total Sugars 35.90g
Protein 18.80g	38%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 378mg	29%
Iron 8mg	45%
Potassium 1456mg	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.

Source of Calories

Fat: 46.4%

Protein: 8.7%

Carbs: 45.0%