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    Home » Recipes » Instant Pot Recipes

    Instant Pot Pearl (Israeli) Couscous

    Published: Sep 23, 2021 · Modified: Oct 31, 2022 by Emily · This post may contain affiliate links.

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    This Instant Pot Pearl Couscous is such a delicious base or side dish for your meals! It is simple, yet flavorful, vegan, and it cooks so quickly. This recipe cooks in just 8 minutes!

    couscous on a white plate on a green plate all on a pink table.

    Pearl couscous, also known as Israeli couscous or Ptitim, is actually a pasta variety, not a rice! However, this pasta was actually invented in Israel in the 1950's to feed immigrants during a rice shortage. The small spheres of pasta resemble rice in look, taste, and texture.

    Couscous is made out of semolina flour and water, just like regular pasta is. This means it is not a gluten-free food.

    For a gluten-free alternative, try my Instant Pot Millet!

    I love using couscous as a side dish or as an addition to salad, such as in this Couscous Arugula Salad. I also love to use couscous just like you would use risotto or just use it as a base for proteins like Bang Bang Tofu or Orange Tempeh.

    This dish is great served hot, room temperature, or cool, making it extremely versatile.

    Why you'll love this recipe

    • Quick & Easy - The cook time for this recipe is only 8 minutes total when you use the Instant Pot! You'll have this dish in no time even on a stove!
    • Simple Ingredients - Customize this couscous as much as you want! I love using just butter, lemon zest, and fresh herbs for a simple flavor.
    • Perfect Side Dish - Pearl couscous works so well as a side dish to any proteins or mixed in with a big salad!

    What you need for this recipe

    Ingredients and Substitutions:

    Ingredients with labels.
    • Pearl (Israeli) Couscous - This is sometimes labeled as Israeli couscous or as Ptitim. Fregola Sarda is often used in exchange for pearl couscous, but I have not tested it in this recipe.
    • Butter - I used vegan butter, but regular will work just fine, as will olive oil!
    • Garlic - Fresh minced garlic is best. Jarred will work.
    • Vegetable Broth - Regular or low-sodium is fine. If you'd like to use chicken broth, that works too.
    • Fresh Herbs - Use the herbs you like the best, I used chopped chives and fresh minced parsley.
    • Lemon Zest - If you don't have any, this can be omitted. Alternatively, if you like more lemon, you can add some of the juice in at the end as well!

    How to make this recipe

    Step 1: Prepare Ingredients

    Begin by finely mincing 1 large clove or 2 small cloves of garlic.

    Finely mince fresh parsley and chop fresh chives.

    Zest a lemon.

    Step 2: Cook Couscous

    Turn on the Instant Pot to the 'Sauté' function and allow it about 30 seconds to warm up.

    Melt butter or oil in the pot, then add minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 30 seconds.

    melted butter in the instant pot with garlic.

    Add the pearl couscous directly to the garlic and melted butter. Stir continuously for about 1 minute to toast the couscous.

    Once toasted, pour in the vegetable broth and add the minced parsley. Stir gently to combine.

    dry couscous in the instant pot with wooden spoon.
    broth added to couscous in instant pot.
    parsley and broth in instant pot with couscous.

    Press CANCEL.

    Place the lid on the Instant Pot and set the valve to 'sealing.'

    Pressure cook on HIGH pressure for 3 minutes. It will take a few minutes for the pot to come to pressure.

    Once the 3 minutes are up, perform a natural release for 5 minutes (set a separate timer for this).

    Then, flip the valve to 'venting' to release any remaining pressure. Turn and remove the lid.

    Step 3: Finishing Touches

    Fluff the cooked couscous with a wooden spoon, spatula, or fork.

    cooked couscous in the instant pot with added ingredients.

    Mix in the lemon zest, half of the chopped chives, salt, and pepper.

    Serve hot or cool down for salads.

    overhead shot of couscous on plates with a pink background.

    Expert Tips & Tricks

    • For a more zesty flavor, squeeze in the juice of ½ a lemon at the end when you add the lemon zest!
    • Sautéing the couscous with the garlic helps give the pearl couscous a nuttier flavor. Don’t skip this step!
    • Serve this mixed in with a hearty Kale Salad with Chickpeas for a healthy and filling meal.
    • Store cooked pearl couscous in the fridge in an air-tight container for up to a week so that you can quickly add it to your weekday lunches. Perfect for meal prep!

    Recipe FAQs

    How long does pearl couscous take to cook?

    If you are cooking pearl couscous on the stove in boiling water, it will take about 15 minutes. If cooking in the Instant Pot, it will only take 8 minutes.

    Is couscous a grain or pasta?

    Couscous and pearl couscous are often mistaken for a grain like rice or quinoa. However, couscous is actually a form of pasta since it is not naturally occurring (hand or machine made) and it is made out of semolina flour and water.

    Does couscous need to be rinsed beforehand?

    Unlike whole grains like rice or quinoa, couscous should not be rinsed before cooking. The best way to cook couscous is to lightly toast it before boiling, which is difficult to do if it is rinsed.

    Related Recipes

    • Vegan Rasta Pasta
    • Coconut Cilantro Lime Rice (Instant Pot)
    • Vegan Congee Recipe (Instant Pot)
    • Vegan Broccoli Cheddar Orzo Soup (Instant Pot)

    Love a recipe you've tried? Please leave a 5-star🌟 rating in the recipe card below and/or a review in the comments section further down the page. Don't forget to tag me on Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook when you try one of my recipes!

    Instant Pot Pearl Couscous Recipe

    This Instant Pot Pearl Couscous is such a delicious base or side dish for your meals! It is simple, yet flavorful, vegan, and it cooks so quickly. This recipe cooks in just 8 minutes!
    5 from 2 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Main Course, Side Dish
    Cuisine: American, Mediterranean
    Diet: Vegan, Vegetarian
    Prep Time: 10 minutes
    Cook Time: 8 minutes
    Total Time: 18 minutes
    Servings: 4 people
    Calories: 237kcal
    Author: Emily

    Equipment

    • Instant Pot or Pressure Cooker

    Ingredients

    • 1 ½ cups Pearl Couscous
    • 1-2 cloves Garlic minced
    • 2 tbsps vegan butter or olive oil, or real butter
    • 1 ¾ cups vegetable broth
    • 1 tablespoon Parsley finely minced
    • 1 teaspoon Lemon zest
    • 1 ½ tablespoon Chives chopped

    Instructions

    • Begin by finely mincing 1 large clove or 2 small cloves of garlic.
    • Finely mince fresh parsley and chop fresh chives.
    • Zest a lemon.
    • Turn on the Instant Pot to the 'Sauté' function and allow it about 30 seconds to warm up.
    • Melt butter or oil in the pot, then add minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
    • Add the pearl couscous directly to the garlic and melted butter. Stir continuously for about 1 minute to toast the couscous.
    • Once toasted, pour in the vegetable broth and add the minced parsley. Stir gently to combine.
    • Press CANCEL.
    • Place the lid on the Instant Pot and set the valve to 'sealing.'
    • Pressure cook on HIGH pressure for 3 minutes. It will take a few minutes for the pot to come to pressure.
    • Once the 3 minutes are up, perform a natural release for 5 minutes (set a separate timer for this).
    • Then, flip the valve to 'venting' to release any remaining pressure. Turn and remove the lid.
    • Fluff the cooked couscous with a wooden spoon, spatula, or fork.
    • Mix in the lemon zest, half of the chopped chives, salt, and pepper.
    • Serve hot or cool down for salads.
    • Garnish with remaining chives and lemon zest.

    Notes

    • For a more zesty flavor, squeeze in the juice of ½ a lemon at the end when you add the lemon zest!
    • Sautéing the couscous with the garlic helps give the pearl couscous a nuttier flavor. Don’t skip this step!
    • Serve this mixed in with a hearty Kale Salad with Chickpeas for a healthy and filling meal.
    • Store cooked pearl couscous in the fridge in an air-tight container for up to a week so that you can quickly add it to your weekday lunches. Perfect for meal prep!
    • Vegetable Broth - Regular or low-sodium is fine. If you'd like to use chicken broth, that works too.
    • Fresh Herbs - Use the herbs you like the best, I used chopped chives and fresh minced parsley.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 237kcal | Carbohydrates: 38.4g | Protein: 6.7g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 1.5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1.5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2.5g | Sodium: 381.2mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 1.4g
    Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @LegallyHealthyBlonde or tag #LegallyHealthyBlonde!

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    Hi, I'm Emily! I am the classically trained chef-recipe creator behind Legally Healthy Blonde. I love fancy pasta, a good martini, and cooking impressive meals for myself and friends! I created LHB to share my passion of cooking and entertaining with everyone! If you love feel-good food that looks & tastes impressive, you're in the right spot!

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