Magical Israeli Couscous Recipe by Ina Garten: Fast & Tasty

Delightful and bursting with Mediterranean flavors, this Ina Garten Israeli couscous recipe brings a taste of culinary magic to your dinner table.

Pearled couscous creates a perfect canvas for vibrant ingredients that dance together in harmony.

Each bite promises a delectable journey through rich, aromatic textures and complementary seasonings.

The dish combines simple ingredients with elegant technique, making it accessible for home cooks of all skill levels.

Fragrant herbs and carefully selected spices elevate this classic side dish into something truly special.

Fresh vegetables add a colorful crunch that makes every serving irresistible.

You’ll fall in love with this versatile recipe that works beautifully alongside grilled meats or as a standalone vegetarian delight.

Cooking Steps for Ina Garten’s Israeli Couscous

Israeli Couscous Salad

• Water Preparation Bring water to a gentle boil in a medium saucepan, creating the perfect cooking environment for the couscous.
• Couscous Cooking Lower heat and add couscous, allowing it to simmer softly until tender. Remove from heat and drain completely in a colander.
• Flavor Base Combine tuna with a vibrant mix of fresh herbs, briny olives, sweet red peppers, and zesty lemon components in a spacious mixing bowl.
• Couscous Integration Fold the warm couscous into the herby mixture, letting the flavors meld together. Allow the salad to rest and develop its rich taste profile.
• Final Touch Sprinkle in fresh scallions and fragrant basil just before serving. Taste and adjust seasonings to create a perfectly balanced Mediterranean-inspired dish that can be enjoyed warm or at room temperature.

Boosting the Flavor of Ina’s Israeli Couscous

• Cook couscous slightly less for a firmer bite or a minute longer for a softer, more delicate texture.
• Replace tuna with grilled chicken, roasted salmon, or chickpeas for a vegetarian alternative that keeps the Mediterranean flavor profile.
• Experiment with fresh herbs like mint, dill, or chives to add unexpected brightness and complexity to the dish.
• Prepare the salad a day in advance to let flavors meld, allowing the couscous to absorb the zesty dressing more intensely.
• Sprinkle toasted pine nuts or sliced almonds on top for an extra layer of texture and nutty richness.

Presenting Ina Garten’s Israeli Couscous Beautifully

• Garnish with Fresh Herbs: Sprinkle chopped basil or parsley on top to add a burst of color and fresh flavor that complements the Mediterranean-style dish.
• Pair with Crisp Salad: Serve alongside a light mixed green salad dressed with a simple vinaigrette to balance the rich tuna and couscous flavors.
• Enjoy as Versatile Meal: Pack this dish for a picnic, lunch at work, or serve as a light dinner that's both satisfying and easy to prepare in advance.
• Present on Elegant Platter: Spread the couscous mixture on a beautiful serving platter, creating an inviting presentation that highlights the vibrant ingredients and textures.

Keeping Leftovers: Israeli Couscous by Ina Garten

• Refrigerate Wisely: Store the Israeli couscous salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days, maintaining its fresh flavor and texture.
• Quick Cool Down: Allow the dish to reach room temperature before transferring to storage containers, preventing moisture buildup and preserving ingredient quality.
• Revive with Ease: When ready to serve, give the salad a quick stir and add a splash of olive oil to refresh the flavors and restore its vibrant appearance.
• Freeze Carefully: For longer storage, freeze the couscous mixture without fresh herbs for up to 2 weeks, thawing in the refrigerator overnight and adding fresh herbs before serving.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Calories: 450 kcal

Servings: 6

What Goes Into Ina Garten’s Israeli Couscous

• Israeli Couscous: Delightful pearl-shaped pasta that creates a hearty foundation, select high-quality pearl couscous with uniform round shapes for perfect texture.
• Water: Essential liquid for cooking couscous, use filtered water for clean, pure taste.

• Tuna: Rich protein source that adds substantial maritime depth, choose fresh or high-quality canned tuna packed in olive oil for superior taste.
• Capers: Tangy, briny little gems that provide unexpected zesty punch, select small, firm capers packed in salt for intense flavor.

• Parsley, Basil: Vibrant green herbs that brighten the entire dish, choose fresh, crisp leaves with vivid color and no wilting.
• Scallions: Mild onion-like ingredient adding gentle sharpness, pick bright green stalks with firm white bottoms.
• Garlic: Aromatic powerhouse delivering deep, complex flavor, select firm bulbs without soft spots or sprouts.

• Lemon: Crucial for adding bright, tangy notes, choose heavy, firm lemons with smooth skin indicating juiciness.
• Lemon Zest: Concentrated citrus essence that elevates overall flavor profile, use fresh, organic lemons for best results.

• Olives: Salty, rich Mediterranean touch providing complex taste, select firm, glossy olives without blemishes.
• Red Peppers: Sweet, vibrant vegetable adding color and crunch, choose peppers with smooth, shiny skin.
• Olive Oil: Silky binding agent that harmonizes all ingredients, opt for extra virgin col.

Essentials for Cooking Ina Garten’s Israeli Couscous

• Medium-sized Saucepan: Perfect for boiling water and cooking couscous with a tight-fitting lid.
• Colander: Essential for draining couscous after cooking, allowing excess water to escape.
• Large Mixing Bowl: Spacious container for combining tuna, herbs, and other ingredients.
• Cutting Board: Needed for chopping parsley, scallions, and preparing ingredients.
• Sharp Knife: Crucial for precise chopping of herbs, olives, and red peppers.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Helps accurately measure water, couscous, and seasonings.
• Wooden Spoon or Spatula: Great for stirring ingredients and mixing couscous mixture.
• Zester or Grater: Useful for creating lemon zest with ease.

Elegant Ina Garten Israeli Couscous Recipe

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4.6 from 35 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Ina Garten’s Israeli couscous salad blends Mediterranean flavors with fresh herbs and crisp vegetables. Mediterranean ingredients create a refreshing dish perfect for summer gatherings and light meals.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 2 cups (10 to 12 oz) Israeli couscous
• 2 (7 oz) cans Italian tuna, drained and flaked
• ½ cup olive oil
• ¼ cup fresh lemon juice
• 2 tsps grated lemon zest (2 lemons)
• 3 tbsps capers, drained
• ½ cup pitted, oil-cured black olives, coarsely chopped (3 oz)
• ½ cup jarred roasted red peppers, medium-diced (4 oz)
• 2 tsps minced garlic (2 cloves)
• 1 cup chopped scallions (6–8 scallions)
• ¼ cup julienned fresh basil leaves, lightly packed
• Kosher salt
• Freshly ground black pepper
• Juice of ½ lemon

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Instructions

1. Boiling Preparation: Fill a medium saucepan with water and bring to a vigorous boil over high heat, then immediately reduce to a gentle simmer.
2. Couscous Cooking: Introduce Israeli couscous into the simmering water, stir thoroughly, and cover with a snug lid, allowing it to cook for 12-15 minutes until achieving a perfectly tender texture.
3. Couscous Draining: Transfer cooked couscous to a colander, allowing excess moisture to drain completely while preparing the remaining ingredients.
4. Flavor Mixture: In a spacious mixing bowl, combine tuna, parsley, kalamata olives, red bell peppers, garlic, lemon zest, lemon juice, capers, extra virgin olive oil, salt, and black pepper, creating a vibrant Mediterranean-inspired base.
5. Ingredient Integration: Gently fold the warm, drained couscous into the tuna mixture, ensuring each grain becomes thoroughly coated with the aromatic blend of ingredients.
6. Flavor Melding: Let the mixture rest, covered, for 10-15 minutes, periodically stirring to allow flavors to harmonize and temperatures to equalize.
7. Final Touches: Incorporate scallions, fresh basil leaves, additional lemon juice, and a final seasoning of salt, giving the dish a bright, fresh finish.
8. Serving Suggestion: Taste and fine-tune seasonings as desired, then serve either warm or at room temperature to maximize the dish’s complex flavor profile.

Notes

• Boost Couscous Texture: Drain thoroughly to prevent sogginess and ensure each grain remains distinct and fluffy.
• Maximize Flavor Infusion: Let mixture rest covered for 10-15 minutes, allowing ingredients to meld and develop deeper, more complex taste profiles.
• Temperature Tip: Incorporate warm couscous into the mixture to help ingredients blend seamlessly and enhance overall flavor absorption.
• Finishing Touch: Add fresh herbs and final seasoning just before serving to preserve their vibrant color, aroma, and crisp texture.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: Israeli

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 450
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 30 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 24 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 40 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 15 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg