Pearl Couscous and Shrimp

Seafood

One-Pot Pearl Couscous & Shrimp

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Pearl couscous in a bowl

Prep

10 minutes

Cook

35 minutes

Yield

4

This one-pot Pearl Couscous and Shrimp recipe is so easy to make, healthy, and the perfect meal for a busy weeknight or night you aren't in the mood for cooking.

This delicious one-pot recipe with Pearl Couscous & Shrimp is the perfect weeknight meal. This recipe is so many things in one. It’s healthy, it’s flavorful, and most importantly, it’s easy. I love experimenting with different grains. They can add so much texture and entirely transform a dish.

Pearl couscous in a bowl

❤️ Why You’ll Love Pearl Couscous & Shrimp

  • Healthy: This recipe is full of wholesome, healthy ingredients that taste great and are good for you
  • Versatile: You can make this recipe your own by adding in your own veggies, swapping the protein, or changing the pearl couscous to your favorite grain

🍲 Ingredients

Pearl Couscous – Also known as Israeli couscous, pearl couscous resembles tiny little pasta balls and despite its name in English, it is in fact, not couscous. Gone are the days when you just had to use rice or quinoa. There are so many delicious grains to experiment with in your cooking that can entirely add something new to a dish

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Cannellini Beans – You can use whatever beans you prefer for this recipe. The cannellini beans add additional protein to this dish and a unique texture that pairs so well with the other ingredients.

Pearl couscous in a white bowl

👩‍🍳 How to Make Pearl Couscous & Shrimp

  1. Add prawns in a bowl with salt pepper, dried oregano, cumin. chili flakes and olive oil and toss together.
  2. To a large high-sided skillet set to medium-high heat. Once the pan is hot, add shrimp and cook for 2-3 minutes per side, until shrimp is fully cooked. Remove the shrimp to a bowl and set aside.
  3. Turn the pan to medium heat and add 1 tbsp olive oil, diced onion and minced garlic. Cook for about 5 minutes to soften. Deglaze the pan with white wine and let it cook for 2-3 minutes.
  4. Next add the chopped zucchini, broccoli florets, diced fennel, stir to combine and then add the seasonings: garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper. Stir again and cook for 3-4 minutes to soften.
  5. Stir in the pearl couscous, beans, 2 tbsp olive oil and chicken stock paste. Add the water and stir. Bring to a boil over high heat and then turn to medium-low once simmering. Keep at a simmer and cover with a lid most of the way while the pearl couscous cooks, removing the lid to stir every couple of minutes so it doesn’t stick.
  6. Cook until the pearl couscous is done, about 10-14 minutes and there is barely any liquid left. Remove from the heat and let the couscous sit in the pan with the lid on for a few minutes before serving. If you find the couscous isn’t quite done and there isn’t a lot of liquid left, add another 1/4-1/2 cup of water and cook for a few more minutes.
  7. Serve the couscous topped with shrimp, chopped artichokes, fresh minced mint and squeeze of lemon juice. Add crumbled feta if desired.
Pearl couscous and shrimp in a bowl


🗒 Substitutions

  • White Wine: A good substitute for white wine, try a non-alcoholic white wine or use vegetable or chicken broth
  • Couscous: Orzo is a good substitute for pearl couscous if needed as their cooking time is similar
  • Beans: If you can’t find cannellini beans, try navy beans.
  • Artichokes: Swap the artichokes for green olives if you prefer them, or have a mix of both


🗒 Other Bowls You’ll Love

👝 How to Store Leftovers

Store leftovers in an airtight container and consume within 3-4 days.

🤔 Common Questions

What is the difference between pearl couscous and regular couscous?

Pearl couscous is a larger version of couscous. The size difference changes the consistency and cooking time.

Is pearl couscous pasta?

Pearl couscous is often thought of as a whole grain but it’s a kind of pasta made of flour and water.

One-Pot Pearl Couscous & Shrimp

5 from 7 votes
This one-pot Pearl Couscous and Shrimp recipe is so easy to make, healthy, and the perfect meal for a busy weeknight or night you aren't in the mood for cooking.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Course Main
Cuisine Greek-Inspired
Servings 4
Calories 415 kcal

Ingredients
  

For the shrimp

For the couscous

  • 3 tbsp olive oil, divided
  • 1 small yellow onion, diced
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1/3 cup white wine
  • 1 small zucchini, cut in quarters
  • 2 cups small broccoli florets
  • 1 small fennel bulb, diced
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp pepper
  • 14 oz can cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 tbsp vegetable or chicken stock paste
  • 1 cup pearl couscous
  • 2 1/2 cups water
  • 1 cup artichokes in oil, chopped
  • fresh minced mint and lemon wedges for garnish
  • optional: crumbled feta cheese for garnish

Instructions
 

  • Add prawns in a bowl with salt pepper, dried oregano, cumin. chili flakes and olive oil and toss together.
  • To a large high-sided skillet set to medium-high heat. Once the pan is hot, add shrimp and cook for 2-3 minutes per side, until shrimp is fully cooked. Remove the shrimp to a bowl and set aside.
  • Turn the pan to medium heat and add 1 tbsp olive oil, diced onion and minced garlic. Cook for about 5 minutes to soften. Deglaze the pan with white wine and let it cook for 2-3 minutes.
  • Next add the chopped zucchini, broccoli florets, diced fennel, stir to combine and then add the seasonings: garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper. Stir again and cook for 3-4 minutes to soften.
  • Stir in the pearl couscous, beans, 2 tbsp olive oil and chicken stock paste. Add the water and stir. Bring to a boil over high heat and then turn to medium-low once simmering. Keep at a simmer and cover with a lid most of the way while the pearl couscous cooks, removing the lid to stir every couple of minutes so it doesn't stick.
  • Cook until the pearl couscous is done, about 10-14 minutes and there is barely any liquid left. Remove from the heat and let the couscous sit in the pan with the lid on for a few minutes before serving.
    If you find the couscous isn't quite done and there isn't a lot of liquid left, add another 1/4-1/2 cup of water and cook for a few more minutes.
  • Serve the couscous topped with shrimp, chopped artichokes, fresh minced mint and squeeze of lemon juice. Add crumbled feta if desired.

Video

Notes

  • A good substitute for white wine, try a non-alcoholic white wine or use vegetable or chicken broth.
  • Orzo is a good substitute for the pearl couscous if needed as their cooking time is similar.
  • If you can’t find cannellini beans, try navy beans.
  • If artichokes aren’t your favourite, try using green olives instead.
  • If you like this recipe, you’ll love our Greek Shrimp and Orzo Pasta Bake

Nutrition

Calories: 415kcal | Carbohydrates: 31.7g | Protein: 31.4g | Fat: 18.8g | Saturated Fat: 2.8g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2.3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 12.7g | Cholesterol: 181.2mg | Sodium: 1586mg | Fiber: 8.9g | Sugar: 4.8g
Review This Recipe Let us know how it was!
Wai-Yee Chan

5 stars
This was so good & easy to make. I nailed it on the first try! I had enough couscous to last me for the week & all i had to do was cook the shrimp / chicken (I subbed some meals) for my meal. I saved the marinade for the protein for the week so it could be cooked when I wanted.

Maria Koutsogiannis

yay! this makes me so happy, thank you so much!

Lora

5 stars
I made this last night and it was delicious. It was even better today.

Maria Koutsogiannis

YOU ARE THE BEST! Thank you so much for making my recipe and trusting me!!!!

Samantha

Looks amazing! Are you able to share a link to chicken stock paste?

Maria Koutsogiannis

I use better than bouillon! If you don’t have access to that use stock instead and then no water!

Jessica Averill

5 stars
This was SO good, new staple in my rotation

Maria Koutsogiannis

Thank you so much, Jessica!!

Matthew Taylor

5 stars
For anyone who’s about to make this, absolutely add the mint, I think that was my most favorite flavor in the whole dish. I ate it so fast it was so good!

Maria Koutsogiannis

so fun right!!!

Disha

Made this dish yesterday. It turned out absolutely amazing! so flavourful and easy to make. Will be making it again for sure!

Maria Koutsogiannis

Thank you so much for the love, sweetie!

Astrid

5 stars
We both oohed and ahhed over this while gobbling up, it is so so flavorful and satisfying! It will be in regular rotation here! Thanks much!

Maria Koutsogiannis

Right!!! Isn’t it so fun!!!!

Sherri Sickmiller

5 stars
Made this recently. It is so flavorful and so good!!! My husband ate two plates! It is a recipe that I will surely try again!!!

Maria Koutsogiannis

Thank you so much, Sherri!!!

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