This Simple Onion Couscous is the perfect side dish to bring to BBQs and potlucks! Everyone will love it! And it takes only a few minutes to make.

This simple Onion Couscous is my favorite side dish to bring to BBQs and potlucks! Thanks to the onion and parsley it is super flavorful and goes great with veggie sausages & patties, burgers, grilled veggies, and literally anything you can throw on a grill. Whenever we are having a BBQ I bring this dish and everyone loved it so far! It's delicious either warm or cold.
You can make this dish in only a couple of minutes - so it's the ideal choice if there is a spontaneous BBQ coming up and you're still undecided about what to bring.
You'll only need a couple of basic ingredients: Couscous, onions, parsley, and lemon juice! I usually have these ingredients at home all the time so I always have something to bring when I'm going grilling with friends.
It's also a neat side dish for the summer - add some fresh roasted veggies, avocado, tofu, or tempeh to it and you'll have a quick and easy lunch! It's a great base for all kinds of summer-y bowls.
How to make this Simple Onion Couscous
As always, you will find the whole recipe in the box below but I want to give you an overview of the ingredients and basic steps first.
The ingredients & possible substitutions
You will need:
- couscous
- lemon juice (or lime juice)
- onions
- fresh parsley (you can also add cilantro if you want to pursue a different flavor direction)
- oil & salt
The basic steps
Serve it with...
- Seitan Chicken Nuggets
- Vegan Date-Sweetened BBQ Sauce
- Spicy Cauliflower Wings
- Vegan Steak with Herb Butter and Roasted Potatoes
- Homemade Vegan Sausages
Love it? Rate it!
I hope you will enjoy this couscous with caramelized onions and parsley as much as I do! Let me know if you give it a try!
And don’t forget to rate the recipe if you like it, this helps other users figure out if it’s worth making!
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Cheers, Bianca
Simple Onion Couscous
Ingredients
- 1 ⅓ cup water
- 1 cup couscous
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon canola oil (or olive, sunflower, rapeseed oil)
- 2 yellow onions
- ½ cup parsley chopped
Instructions
- In a large pot, add the water, lemon juice, and salt. Bring it to a boil.
- Take the pot off the stovetop and add the couscous and put the lid back on. Let it soak for 5 minutes.
- Meanwhile, peel the onions, cut them in half, and slice them into half-rings. Chop the parsley.
- Heat a large pan with the canola oil and place the onion rings in there. Cook them on medium-high heat while stirring constantly, and keep them on the heat until they're soft and get a nice golden color.
- To the couscous, add the onions and chopped parsley. Give it a good mix. Serve either warm or cold!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Totally! This would go well with any main dish! The perfect side to bring!
Bianca says
I totally agree! :) Thanks Rebecca!
Sina says
This sounds like the perfect side dish! :-) I just love couscous for quick dinners and of course also for salads.
Bianca says
Yes, this couscous really is the ideal side dish. It goes with so many things and it also makes a great main dish together with fresh veggies & tempeh/tofu/seitan. :)
Natalie | Feasting on Fruit says
Yum! I want to bring this to my potluck of one...a.k.a lunch ;) haha Couscous is so yummy, I love the texture I think it's my favorite form of 'pasta' if you can call it that! Such simple flavors but it sounds delish!
Bianca says
hahaaha :D potluck of one! love it! also I've never thought of couscous as a form of pasta but you're so right! I always put couscous in the group of rice and quinoa but it fits much better to the pasta. Somehow I always end up making couscous when it's hot and "traditional" pasta when it's cold :D so weird!
Anu-My Ginger Garlic Kitchen says
Simple yet exotic couscous! Addition of soya sauce sounds delish! :)
Bianca says
Thanks Anu! I love to have a few basics for dishes. With grilled veggies and tofu/tempeh or seitan you can easily convert it into a full meal. So quick!
Lucie Javorska says
My kind of recipe! Simple, healthy and beautiful :)
Bianca says
So glad you like it Lucie! It's always a huge hit at BBQs. Goes so well with all the other usual bbq ingredients :)
Shelby says
My friend just made this for me (I'm vegan, she's not) and it was DELICIOUS! I think I'll add some tofu to it when I make it!