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Couscous

Couscous consists of small steamed granules traditionally served as a grain-like accompaniment or in salads and stews.

Couscous — illustrative ingredient image

About Couscous

Couscous consists of small granules made by moistening and rolling semolina, usually from durum wheat, then drying them. It is served as a grain-like accompaniment to vegetables, meats, fish, sauces, and stews, and is also used cold in salads and composed dishes.

The dry granules are pale, bead-like, and mild in flavour. After steaming or rehydration, they become tender and separate, with a light, fluffy texture when prepared well. Fine couscous cooks quickly, while larger pearl-style couscous is chewier and more pasta-like; grain and regional styles can vary.

It is sold dry in packets or bulk and may be instant or intended for steaming. Instant couscous is commonly covered with hot liquid and rested, while traditional preparations may be steamed more than once. Fluffing with a fork separates the cooked granules and prevents dense clumping.

Ingredient type
derived ingredient

Forms & related ingredients

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Where couscous appears

9 linked foods

Find foods to recognise by country and type. Recipes and products vary; these are recorded ingredient connections.

Showing 1–9 of 9

Main dishes

Sides

Desserts

Soups

Breakfasts

Ingredient connections awaiting review · Coverage is still growing, including packaged snacks.

Name examples awaiting language review. Confirm the specific food or product.

Local names for couscous

Names and romanised forms to recognise on menus and labels.

English

Couscous

English

Couscous, boiled, no added fat or salt

Search alias · Not a confirmed translation

English

Couscous, cooked

Search alias · Not a confirmed translation

English

Couscous, dry

Search alias · Not a confirmed translation

English

Couscous, plain, cooked

Search alias · Not a confirmed translation

English

Couscous, plain, raw

Search alias · Not a confirmed translation

English

Couscous, uncooked

Search alias · Not a confirmed translation

English

MEDIUM COUSCOUS

Search alias · Not a confirmed translation

English

Semoule ou graine de couscous complète, cuite, sans sel ajouté

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English

Semoule ou graine de couscous semi-complète, cuite, sans sel ajouté

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English

Semoule ou graine de couscous, cuite, sans sel ajouté

Search alias · Not a confirmed translation

Available names only. Languages may be spoken in other countries; a name alone does not identify every ingredient in a dish.

Couscous nutrition & diet

Couscous nutritional value

Couscous, dry

Per 100 g of the edible portion in the recorded food form.

Calories
376kcal
Protein
12.8g
Carbs
77.4g
Fat
0.6g

Reference values for the specific food form shown. Other varieties, brands and preparations can differ.

Portions & preparation

Identify traditional wheat couscous versus pearl, whole-wheat, or alternative-grain products, and match dry granules with the prepared portion. Added broth, oil, butter, vegetables, meat, or sauces can substantially change what the served dish represents.

Compare the right form: Match the reference to the exact couscous type, grain ingredient, and dry or cooked state; boxed blends require brand and recipe details.

Diet considerations

Traditional couscous is a plant-derived cereal preparation generally made from wheat, while alternative products may use other grains or starches. Compatibility changes with wheat, added dairy or animal broth, meat, coatings, and mixed recipes. Portion size also affects its carbohydrate pattern.

AI-authored reading notes · Awaiting editorial review. Measured values, where available, have a separate source above.

Dietary compatibility

  • Vegan
    May be compatible
  • Vegetarian
    May be compatible
  • Pescatarian
    May be compatible
  • Keto
    Not established
  • Paleo
    Typically incompatible
  • Low-carb
    Not established
  • Halal
    Not established
  • Kosher
    Not established
What these diet assessments mean
Vegan · May be compatible
The recorded ingredients may fit this pattern. This is not a complete recipe or manufacturing specification; check additions and preparation.
Vegetarian · May be compatible
The recorded ingredients may fit this pattern. This is not a complete recipe or manufacturing specification; check additions and preparation.
Pescatarian · May be compatible
The recorded ingredients may fit this pattern. This is not a complete recipe or manufacturing specification; check additions and preparation.
Keto · Not established
A defined serving and sourced carbohydrate data are needed before assessing this dietary pattern.
Paleo · Typically incompatible
Recorded common ingredients: Durum wheat semolina. This profile falls outside the conventional paleo pattern used here (grains and pseudograins, legumes, dairy or refined sugar). Recipes and products can differ.
Low-carb · Not established
A defined serving and sourced carbohydrate data are needed before assessing this dietary pattern.
Halal · Not established
Sourcing, processing and any applicable certification have not been verified. A food name alone does not establish halal status.
Kosher · Not established
Sourcing, processing and any applicable certification have not been verified. A food name alone does not establish kosher status.

For the plain ingredient · Awaiting review. Diet compatibility is not allergy suitability or halal/kosher certification. Keto and low-carb depend on the portion.

Reviewed ingredient entryIngredient reference · Preparations vary

AI-generated illustration for visual context. It does not identify a particular product or establish allergen content.

Sources & review

Nutrition reference: USDA FoodData Central — Couscous, dry ↗. Values are scaled from 100 g of the recorded edible form. Individual portions have no assumed fixed weight.

Expanded overview, name examples and nutrition notes are database drafts awaiting editorial review. Numeric nutrition values, where shown, have their own source and food-form reference.

The ingredient description and dish connections come from the draft catalogue and may change after review.

Last recorded verification: .