This Caramelized Pearl Onion Couscous salad is an elegant, easy recipe! It’s a great side dish when you want a beautiful, flavorful and hassle-free addition to your favorite protein.

I think 2020 will go down as a year to remember for so many reasons. Personally, it was the year that I realized the importance of a well-stocked pantry and freezer!

A pantry that is not only full, but also has a wide assortment of items to pull from so that your family isn’t eating the same thing every night.

This Caramelized Pearl Onion Couscous is a recipe that came from some pantry creativity earlier this year.

Caramelized Pearl Onion Couscous

In my pantry, I had a box of couscous and chicken broth. And, I had pearl onions in the freezer.

I knew that caramelized pearl onions were awesome by themselves. And I hoped they would be an amazing addition to couscous!

Spoiler alert: they are!

This Caramelized Pearl Onion Couscous is a delicious recipe that is easy enough for weeknights and elegant enough for holiday dinner.

With some simple spices and fresh herbs, the flavors in this dish are earthy, comforting and I recommend serving this couscous recipe warm or at room temperature.

But, couscous is versatile enough that with the right additions, you can serve it cold! Think more like a pasta salad.

What is Couscous?

Couscous is a pasta dish cooked and served like rice. It has been around for centuries and is a staple in many cuisines around the world. Couscous is known for its light and fluffy texture and its ability to be combined with delicious spices.

What is couscous made of?

Couscous is made from tiny granules of pasta and you can use it however you would normally use rice! If you get bored having the same grains all of the time, couscous is a great way to bring a little world flavor to your meals.

It’s a creative, quick and delicious way to add variety to dinner!

How to make Couscous

You can cook and serve couscous like rice. Most couscous cooks in 5 minutes and is as versatile as it is convenient. You can use water or the low sodium broth of your choice to cook your couscous.

Caramelized Pearl Onion Couscous

Caramelized Onion Pearl Couscous

Yield: 6 servings
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 box Near East Couscous Mix, Original, 10 ounces
  • 2 cups low sodium broth, chicken or vegetable
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 1 tsp olive oil

For the Pearl Onion topping:

  • 5 ounces pearl onions, thawed
  • ⅓ cup water
  • 1 teaspoon brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon thyme, dried or 1 tbsp fresh
  • 1 teaspoon rosemary, dried or 1 tbsp fresh
  • ⅛ teaspoon salt
  • a pinch of black pepper

For garnish:

  • ⅛ cup parmesan cheese, grated
  • fresh herbs for garnish (rosemary, thyme, or parsley)

Instructions

  1. Follow package instructions to prepare Near East Couscous Mix using broth and salt. 
  2. In a small, non-stick skillet, add olive oil and heat on medium. 
  3. Pat pearl onions dry with a paper towel to remove excess moisture. Add to skillet and sauté for 4-5 minutes until the onions begin to take on a light golden color. 
  4. Add water, brown sugar, balsamic vinegar, and spices to the skillet. Sauté to combine and reduce heat to low.
  5. Allow to simmer for 10-12 minutes until the onions are soft and caramelized, and the water has mostly evaporated, leaving a light glaze on the onions. 
  6. Into a small bowl, add cooked couscous, caramelized pearl onions and parmesan cheese. Stir gently to combine.
  7. Garnish with fresh herbs and serve warm
Nutrition Information
Yield 6 Serving Size 1
Amount Per Serving Calories 102Total Fat 2gSaturated Fat 0gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 1gCholesterol 3mgSodium 590mgCarbohydrates 18gFiber 2gSugar 3gProtein 4g

The nutrition for this recipe is calculated by an app, and may be incorrect.

Did you make this recipe?

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If you loved this Caramelized Pearl Onion Couscous, I think you’ll really love my Caramelized Onion and Bacon Mashed Potatoes.

Caramelized Pearl Onion Couscous