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Home » Recipes » Sides

Instant Pot Pearl Couscous

Published: Aug 14, 2020 · Modified: Jan 2, 2023 by Maxine Dubois · This post may contain affiliate links Leave a Comment

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This Instant Pot Pearl Couscous is made with pearl couscous, broth, parsley, lemon juice and cooked to perfection.

This Instant Pot Pearl Couscous is made with pearl couscous, broth, parsley, lemon juice and cooked to perfection.

Couscous is a healthy versatile dish that goes very well with almost anything. It cooks in 15 minutes and seasons well with lemon and parsley. This dish is probably one of my favorite side dishes to make and to eat. It is so simple and you can whip it up in a matter of minutes.

If you love this recipe, feel free to try my Canned Pumpkin Rice or my Lemon Pesto Rice.

Jump to:
  • Why you will love this recipe
  • Ingredients
  • Instructions
  • Substitutions
  • Variations
  • Equipment
  • Storage
  • Top tip
  • Instant Pot Pearl Couscous
  • Food safety

Why you will love this recipe

Versatile: Pearl couscous has a very neutral flavor, making it versatile and fun to get creative.

Full of flavor: The broth and lemon juice combination give this couscous so much delicious flavor.

Great for any weather: I love making this during any season and it is hearty and flavorful.

Serves a crowd: You can easily make a lot of couscous in the instant pot. For every extra cup of couscous, add a cup of broth.

Ingredients

You'll only need a few simple ingredients to make this. The exact measurements are listed in the recipe card below. Here's an overview of what you'll need: Pearl Couscous
Broth
Lemon
Parsley

You'll only need a few simple ingredients to make this. The exact measurements are listed in the recipe card below. Here's an overview of what you'll need:

  • Pearl Couscous
  • Broth
  • Lemon
  • Parsley

See recipe card for quantities.

Instructions

In an Instant pot, hit the saute button and add 2 tablespoons of olive oil and add the couscous. Toast for about 2-3 minutes. 

In an Instant pot, hit the saute button and add 2 tablespoons of olive oil and add the couscous. Toast for about 2-3 minutes. 

Pour in the broth and the couscous. Cover and pressure cook on high for ZERO minutes, and when it is done, let it naturally release. 

Pour in the broth and the couscous. Cover and pressure cook on high for ZERO minutes, and when it is done, let it naturally release. 

With a fork, fluff up the couscous. 

With a fork, fluff up the couscous. 

Add freshly squeezed lemon juice and garnish with fresh parsley. Enjoy this Instant Pot Pearl Couscous!

Add freshly squeezed lemon juice and garnish with fresh parsley. 

Hint: Do not release pressure. Let the pot naturally release.

Substitutions

Couscous: You definitely will need to use pearl couscous to make this. You can find it in the rice section of the grocery store. 

Broth: To make this a vegetarian dish, use vegetable broth. Otherwise I prefer using chicken broth since I prefer the taste. 

Lemon: I would not use the store bought lemon juice for this. Use freshly squeezed lemon juice for best flavor. 

Parsley: I love garnishing this recipe with parsley although you could use cilantro or green onion if you want. 

Variations

Cooking is a chance to be creative! Have fun with it and feel free to make your own variation.

  • Spicy - add chili pepper flakes into the pot before pressure cooking.
  • Deluxe - serve this couscous in a salad.
  • Kid friendly - add crushed potato chips (ketchup chips!)

Check out this my Baby Corn Stir Fry.

This Instant Pot Pearl Couscous is made with pearl couscous, broth, parsley, lemon juice and cooked to perfection.

Equipment

Equipment can have a big impact on how a recipe turns out. I used my Instant Pot pressure cooker for this, and this couscous is foolproof each time.

Storage

This will be good in the refrigerator for 2-3 days.

These ingredients don't stand up well to freezing.

Top tip

Do not release pressure. Let the pot naturally release.

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Instant Pot Pearl Couscous


  • Author: Maxine Dubois
  • Total Time: 15 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x
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Description

This Instant Pot Pearl Couscous is made with pearl couscous, broth, parsley, lemon juice and cooked to perfection. 


Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 cups of pearl couscous
  • 1 ¼ cups of broth (vegetable broth for vegetarian)
  • ¼ cup of chopped parsley
  • ½ lemon, squeezed

Instructions

  1. In an Instant pot, hit the saute button and add 2 tablespoons of olive oil and add the couscous. Toast for about 2-3 minutes. 
  2. Pour in the broth and the couscous. Cover and pressure cook on high for ZERO minutes, and when it is done, let it naturally release. 
  3. With a fork, fluff up the couscous. Add freshly squeezed lemon juice and garnish with fresh parsley. 
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Category: Dinner
  • Method: Cooking
  • Cuisine: Moroccan

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1
  • Calories: 237.1
  • Sugar: 2.8 g
  • Sodium: 1,467.9 mg
  • Fat: 12.3 g
  • Saturated Fat: 1.4 g
  • Carbohydrates: 16.1 g
  • Fiber: 3.9 g
  • Protein: 16.3 g
  • Cholesterol: 52.5 mg

Did you make this recipe?

Tag @cilantro.parsley on Instagram and hashtag it #cilantroparsley

Food safety

  • Cook to a minimum temperature of 165 °F (74 °C)
  • Do not use the same utensils on cooked food, that previously touched raw meat
  • Wash hands after touching raw meat
  • Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
  • Never leave cooking food unattended
  • Use oils with high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds
  • Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove

See more guidelines at USDA.gov.

More Sides

  • Canned Pumpkin Rice Recipe with Coconut Milk
  • Instant Pot Steamed Artichokes
  • Burrata Peach Arugula Salad
  • Air Fryer Zucchini Parmesan Bites

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Hi, I'm Maxine!

I am a Mexican American recipe creator & food blogger dedicated to cultivating the cooking experience. I love Latin recipes and inspiring you to cook them by incorporating videos to simplify and share my recipes.  My favorite cuisines are Mexican and Italian, which is why I came up with the name Cilantro Parsley!

You can also find me on Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook & Youtube

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