This Ina Garten Curried Couscous is a flavorful and easy side dish, which includes golden raisins and fresh parsley. It’s a classic, foolproof recipe, ready in just 25 minutes.
Jump to RecipeIna Garten Curried Couscous Ingredients
- 1½ cups couscous
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 1½ cups boiling water
- 1½ teaspoons kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon curry powder
- ¼ cup plain Greek yogurt or sour cream
- ¼ cup good olive oil
- 1 teaspoon white wine vinegar or lemon juice
- ½ cup small-diced carrots
- ½ cup minced fresh parsley
- ½ cup golden raisins
- ¼ cup diced red onion
- 2 scallions, thinly sliced
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
How To Make Ina Garten Curried Couscous
- Cook the couscous: Place couscous, butter, boiling water, salt, and curry powder in a large heatproof bowl. Stir once, then cover tightly with a plate or plastic wrap. Let it sit for 5–7 minutes.
- Fluff and cool: Once all liquid is absorbed, fluff couscous with a fork to separate the grains. Allow it to cool for a few minutes.
- Make the dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together yogurt (or sour cream), olive oil, and vinegar or lemon juice until smooth.
- Mix in the vegetables and herbs: Add the carrots, parsley, golden raisins, red onion, and scallions to the fluffed couscous. Pour the dressing over and toss until evenly coated.
- Season and chill: Add salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Serve immediately, or chill for 30 minutes to let the flavors develop.

Recipe Tips
- Can I make couscous ahead of time? Yes, this dish actually tastes better after chilling for 30 minutes to an hour.
- What can I use instead of golden raisins? Try dried cranberries, chopped apricots, or currants.
- Is this recipe vegetarian? Yes, it can also be made vegan by using plant-based yogurt or skipping it entirely.
- How to make it spicy: Add a pinch of cayenne or diced jalapeño for a kick.
- Can I use whole wheat couscous? Yes, just follow the same cooking method.
What To Serve With Curried Couscous
This dish pairs perfectly with grilled meats or Middle Eastern-style meals:
- Grilled chicken or lamb skewers
- Roasted vegetables
- Hummus and pita
- Falafel
- Yogurt-marinated salmon
How To Store Curried Couscous
Refrigerate: Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
Freeze: Not recommended, as the texture of couscous and fresh veggies may not hold up.
Curried Couscous Nutrition Facts
- Calories: ~230 kcal per serving
- Carbohydrates: ~30g
- Protein: ~5g
- Fat: ~10g
- Fiber: ~3g
- Sugar: ~7g
Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and serving size.
FAQs
Can I serve curried couscous warm?
Yes, though it’s traditionally served at room temperature or chilled.
Can I add chickpeas or other protein?
Absolutely. Chickpeas, grilled chicken, or shrimp all work well.
How to make this dairy-free?
Use plant-based yogurt or skip the yogurt entirely.
Is couscous gluten-free?
No, couscous is made from wheat. Substitute with quinoa for a gluten-free version.
Try More Recipes:
- Ina Garten Garlic Roasted Cauliflower Recipe
- Ina Garten Roasted Asparagus With Parmesan Recipe
- Ina Garten Roasted Tomatoes With Basil Recipe
Ina Garten Curried Couscous Recipe
Course: Side DishCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy6
servings15
minutes10
minutes230
kcalA fast, flavorful couscous salad with curry, golden raisins, and fresh vegetables—perfect for potlucks or weeknight dinners.
Ingredients
-
1½ cups couscous
-
1 tbsp unsalted butter
-
1½ cups boiling water
-
1½ tsp kosher salt
-
½ tsp curry powder
-
¼ cup plain Greek yogurt or sour cream
-
¼ cup olive oil
-
1 tsp white wine vinegar or lemon juice
-
½ cup diced carrots
-
½ cup chopped parsley
-
½ cup golden raisins
-
¼ cup diced red onion
-
2 sliced scallions
-
Black pepper to taste
Directions
- Combine couscous, butter, boiling water, salt, and curry powder. Cover and let sit 5–7 minutes.
- Fluff couscous and let cool slightly.
- Whisk yogurt, olive oil, and vinegar/lemon juice.
- Add carrots, parsley, raisins, onion, and scallions to couscous. Toss with dressing.
- Season with salt and pepper. Serve or chill.
