Quick-cooking carbs can balance out any dish—from hearty breakfast tacos to elegant desserts! Since you already adore rice and have a soft spot for quinoa, it’s time to discover pearl couscous and everything it has to offer.
Tender and versatile, with satisfying bounce, pearl couscous is a staple of Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisines that satisfies in countless types of dishes. Of course, learning how to cook pearl couscous is the best way to unlock the potential of this well-loved food. An ingredient that shines in soups and salads, pearl couscous is also popular alongside grilled proteins, stews and more. Discover Success® boil-in-bag pearl couscous, and keep things fresh in the kitchen with your pantry’s newest must-have ingredient!
Pearl Couscous vs Regular Couscous
Couscous is couscous, right? Guess again! Though all types of couscous are pasta (made from semolina or durum wheat), different types of couscous vary in size, which affects its flavor. Moroccan couscous is the smallest and most common type of couscous. Due to its small size, it cooks in mere minutes. Also known as Israeli couscous, pearl couscous is slightly larger and rounder than Moroccan couscous and cooks in 5-7 minutes. The largest type of couscous, Lebanese couscous is chewier and starchier than the other varieties and takes a little longer to cook.
Pearl Couscous-to-Water Ratio
To make pearl couscous like a pro, you’ll want to learn the proper pearl couscous-to-water ratio. Since pearl couscous cooks like pasta, you will need plenty of salted water. For 1 bag of Success® boil-in-bag pearl couscous, you’ll need 4 cups of water. For larger groups, when you need to prepare 2-4 bags of couscous, you’ll want 3 quarts of water.
How Long to Cook Pearl Couscous?
One of the best things about pearl couscous is how quickly (and easily!) it cooks. When made on the stovetop, pearl couscous cooks in 5-7 minutes. However, how long it takes to cook pearl couscous depends on how you choose to prepare it (on the stove top vs. in the microwave, etc.).
How To Cook Pearl Couscous On The Stove
Ingredients
Ready to learn how to cook pearl couscous on the stove? Grab a pot, and let’s get started!
For 2-4 servings:
- 4 cups water
- 1 tbsp salt (optional)
- 1 bag Success® boil-in-bag pearl couscous
Instructions
- Bring water to a boil in a medium pot.
- Add salt, if using.
- Add bag to pot and boil, uncovered, for 5-7 minutes.
- Remove bag from water and drain.
- Cut bag open and empty couscous into a bowl. Fluff with fork and season as desired.
Nutrition Per Bag
Cooking Tips
As easy as it is to cook pearl couscous, things don’t always go as planned! Learn some simple tips and tricks and steer clear of kitchen blunders.
- To avoid soggy or undercooked couscous, pay attention to the proper pearl couscous-to-water ratio. Trying to cook couscous with too much water can result in a mushy final dish. Similarly, if you use too little water, your couscous might not be as fluffy as you’d like.
- Using plenty of water is also integral to cooking pearl couscous properly as it gives the ingredient room to cook. Cramming too much couscous into a small pot without enough water can result in a sticky mess and undercooked pasta.
- It’s important to fluff pearl couscous once it is cooked. This helps it to stay light and separate, instead of clumped together. You can also add a little olive oil or butter to cooked pearl couscous to prevent clumping.
Seasonings That Will Elevate Your Pearl Couscous Dishes
Delicious as is, pearl couscous is also remarkably versatile and can be spiced and seasoned any way you like! Whether you add savory notes as it cooks or combine boiled couscous with a slew of tasty add-ins, the best route to delicious pearl couscous is not being afraid to try new things.
- As with rice and quinoa, pearl couscous can be flavored as it cooks by replacing the water with broth. You can also add aromatics—think bay leaves, peppercorns, lemons, etc.— to the water to flavor it as the pearl couscous boils.
- When cooked in water, pearl couscous is a neutral canvas to a world of flavors. From fresh herbs and spices to flavored oils and fruit juices, there’s no limit to what you can add to pearl couscous to make it shine.
- Delicious as a simple side, pearl couscous also makes a tempting main course. To add oomph to every bite, stir it together with raw or sautéed vegetables, cooked proteins, nuts, dried fruit, cheeses and more.
How To Cook Pearl Couscous In a Microwave
Not only is there more than one way to enjoy pearl couscous, there’s also more than one way to cook it! Wondering how to cook pearl couscous in a microwave? Simply fill a large, microwave-safe bowl with 4 cups of water. Submerge 1 bag of Success® boil-in-bag pearl couscous in the water. Microwave on HIGH for 10-12 minutes. Remove the bag from the water, drain and fluff.
How To Cook Pearl Couscous In a Rice Cooker
Want to learn how to cook pearl couscous in a rice cooker? Using a 1:1 ratio, combine pearl couscous and water in a rice cooker. Season with salt, if desired. Close the rice cooker and cook using the white rice/regular setting.
Delicious Pearl Couscous Recipes to Try
Now that you know how to cook pearl couscous, it’s time to savor it in some of our favorite, fast and flavorful ways!
Simple Lemon Butter Pearl Couscous
A generous glug of lemon juice brightens up this summery side. With grilled meat or fish, as part of a buffet table or a weeknight dinner, this seasoned dish never disappoints.
Cherry Tomato Caprese Pearl Couscous Salad
Grab your juiciest tomatoes and most fragrant basil for this 15-minute pearl couscous salad. A warm-weather crowd-pleaser that can stand on its own or partner with a number of grilled mains, this dish was made to be shared.
Sun-Dried Tomato Pearl Couscous Bowl with Chicken Sausage
Face busy weeknights with this comforting complete meal! A tempting combo of Success® boil-in-bag pearl couscous, savory sausage, tangy tomatoes, feta and vinaigrette, this dish can be on the table in just 20 minutes.
Mediterranean Pearl Couscous Salad
Fluffy pearl couscous pairs with protein-packed chickpeas, tomatoes, cucumber and briny feta cheese in this zesty dish. Made ahead of time, it can become lunch for the week, or a perfect side dish for dinner.
Honey Lemon Pearl Couscous & Grilled Chicken
Coated in a sweet and savory honey, lemon and Dijon vinaigrette, pearl couscous is a superb companion for grilled chicken and asparagus in this straightforward meal.
Summer Shrimp Pearl Couscous Salad
Superb in summer, this shrimp and pearl couscous dish is a welcome sight any time of year! Simple yet satisfying, it’s also easy to adapt with your favorite protein and any fresh vegetables you have on hand.
How to Store Pearl Couscous
Like other dry goods, pearl couscous should be stored in a clean, dry cupboard away from extreme temperatures and too much moisture.
Once cooked, pearl couscous can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge, for up to 4 days. Leftovers can be reheated in the microwave or in a small saucepan with a touch of oil or water.
Where to Buy Pearl Couscous
Carried in many major supermarkets, Success® boil-in-bag pearl couscous is also easy to locate using this link. Get your hands on some today and cook up a couscous feast the whole family will greedily gobble up!