How to Cook Pearl Couscous

How Long Does Pearl Couscous Cook? 

Since pearl couscous is a type of pasta, it can be cooked just like spaghetti or macaroni. Wondering how long to cook pearl couscous? When added to boiling, salted water, it cooks in just 8-10 minutes.

How To Cook Pearl Couscous On The Stove 

Stovetop cooking is the most popular way to cook pearl couscous. Unlike Moroccan couscous, which is so small that it cooks by absorbing steam, pearl couscous needs to be simmered in plenty of salted water or broth in order to cook properly. Read on to learn how to cook pearl couscous on the stove.

Ingredients 

• 1 1/2 cups water

• 1/2 tsp salt (optional)

• 1 tsp butter or olive oil (optional)

• 1 cup pearl couscous

Water-to-Couscous Ratio 

For perfectly tender, not mushy, results we recommend using 1 1/2 cups of water for every 1 cup of pearl couscous, or a water-to-couscous ratio of 1 1/2:1.

Instructions  

• Bring water to a boil in a medium saucepan over high heat.

• Stir in salt and butter or olive oil, if using.

• Add pearl couscous and stir to combine.

• Cover saucepan with a lid and reduce heat to low.

• Simmer pearl couscous for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the water has been absorbed and the couscous is tender.

• For a deeper, nuttier flavor, you can also toast your pearl couscous before you boil it. To do so, simply add the butter or olive oil to a saucepan over medium heat. Stir in pearl couscous and cook, stirring often, until the couscous is golden and toasted. Then, add the salt and water and proceed as above.

How To Cook Pearl Couscous In a Microwave 

For a simple alternative to stovetop cooking, learn how to cook pearl couscous in a microwave. Since appliances vary in strength, you may want to adjust this timing (i.e., check for doneness sooner than stated here, or cook it longer).

• In a microwave-safe bowl, combine 1 1/2 cups water, 1 cup pearl couscous, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1 teaspoon of butter.
• Cover the bowl loosely with a microwave-safe lid (ensuring there is a gap that allows steam to escape).
• Cook on HIGH for 6-8 minutes, stirring half-way through. Carefully remove from microwave and check for doneness. If the couscous is not tender, or there is still a lot of water in the bowl, continue to cook for 2-3 minutes, until ready.

How To Cook Pearl Couscous In a Rice Cooker 

Wondering how to cook pearl couscous in a rice cooker? You’ve come to the right spot. Keep in mind that since rice cookers vary in strength, your pearl couscous may be ready sooner than stated here or take a little longer to cook.

• Using the measuring cup provided with the appliance, measure out 1 1/2 cups of water and 1 cup of pearl couscous and add to the inner pot of the rice cooker. Stir in 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1 teaspoon of butter.
• Cover with lid and select White Rice or Regular setting. Do not open rice cooker while couscous is cooking.
• Once cooked, allow the pearl couscous to rest in the covered pot for 5-10 minutes before fluffing with a fork.

How To Cook Pearl Couscous In an Instant Pot 

This is how to cook pearl couscous in an electric pressure cooker. Since appliances vary in strength, you may want to adjust this timing (i.e., check for doneness sooner than stated here, or cook your pearl couscous for a bit longer).

• Using the measuring cup provided with the appliance, measure out 1 1/2 cups of water and 1 cup of pearl couscous and add to the Instant Pot insert. Stir in 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1 teaspoon of butter.
• Secure the lid and lock. Select Pressure Cook for 2-4 minutes. When the timer goes off, allow pressure to release naturally for 5 minutes. Remove the lid, fluff the pearl couscous and serve.

How to Enhance the Flavor of Pearl Couscous 

One of the best things about pearl couscous is its ability to fit into all kinds of recipes and meals. Incredibly versatile, it can be flavored in myriad ways.

Some types of pearl couscous have added flavor built right in, such as RiceSelect® Pearl Couscous with Turmeric, which is made with turmeric powder, and RiceSelect® Tri-Color Pearl Couscous, which is made with spinach and paprika.

Alternatively, one of the easiest ways to flavor pearl couscous is by substituting the water used to cook it with broth or stock, as in this colorful Cranberry Pearl Couscous Salad. You can also flavor the water with countless ingredients, such as herbs, spices, lemon zest, garlic and more.

As with rice or quinoa, pearl couscous can also be mixed with tasty ingredients and sauces once it’s cooked. Sautéed aromatics, including garlic and onion, plus a punchy hit of spinach and sundried tomatoes, add savory notes to this dish of Pearl Couscous Florentine with Sun Dried Tomatoes.

For a citrusy side that begs to be paired with grilled fish or chicken, we stir a lemony sauce into pearl couscous in this Lemon Butter Pearl Couscous Salad. Herby, tangy and fresh, couscous is tossed with a yogurt-based dressing in this Green Goddess Pearl Couscous Salad.

Where to Buy Pearl Couscous 

While pearl couscous used to be harder to find and was generally only available in specialty stores, today it is available at most local supermarkets. For dishes that bring joy to the everyday, that are made from reliable ingredients that are simple to prep, make it wow™ with RiceSelect® Pearl Couscous!

FAQs 

Still have a few questions about pearl couscous? We’ve got the answers you need!

Is pearl couscous gluten-free? 

Since pearl couscous is made from wheat flour, and is technically a type of pasta, not a grain, it is not gluten-free. RiceSelect® Rice and quinoa are delicious gluten-free options.

How to store pearl couscous? 

Pearl couscous should be stored in an airtight container, in a dry, cool cupboard. A shelf-stable ingredient, uncooked pearl couscous can be kept for up to 12 months—though we find that it never lasts that long!

How long will cooked couscous last in the refrigerator? 

Cooked pearl couscous should be cooled completely, then stored in an airtight container in the fridge. It will keep for 3-5 days. To reheat pearl couscous, stir it with a splash of water or olive oil and heat it gently in the microwave, or on the stovetop.

Can you freeze cooked couscous? 

To freeze pearl couscous, let it cool completely. Then spread it on a baking tray and transfer it to the freezer. Once frozen, transfer the pearl couscous to a freezer bag or container.

Pearl couscous that has been mixed with certain ingredients (such as cucumbers, tomatoes, yogurt, etc.) should not be frozen, as they will deteriorate in the freezer.