Vegetable Couscous with Harissa Sauce Recipe

Name: Vegetable Couscous with Harissa Sauce
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 3/4 cup (175 ml) olive oil, divided; 3 portobello mushrooms, cleaned and thickly sliced; 1 red onion, quartered; 1 celery root, cut into large chunks; 2 white turnips, peeled and quartered; 2 leeks, cleaned and cut into 1/4 inch thick pieces; 1 medium head cauliflower, separated into florets; 1/2 tsp (2 ml). dried thyme; 1/2 tsp (2 ml). dried marjoram; 3 Tbsp (45 ml). Ras El Hanout, divided - (recipe follows); 5 cups (1175 ml) vegetable stock; 2 cups (475 ml) canned chickpeas, drained; 5 cups (1175 ml) couscous; salt to taste; 10 fresh mint leaves; 2 Tbsp (30 ml). ground ginger; 2 tsp (10 ml). ground black pepper; 2 tsp (10 ml). ground nutmeg; 2 tsp (10 ml). allspice; 2 tsp (10 ml). ground mace; 2 tsp (10 ml). ground cardamom; 2 tsp (10 ml). ground cinnamon; 2 tsp (10 ml). ground turmeric; 1 tsp (5 ml). ground coriander; 1/4 tsp (1 ml). ground cloves; 1/4 tsp (1 ml). ground ground red pepper; 1 tsp (5 ml). caraway seeds; 1 tsp (5 ml). coriander seeds; 1/2 tsp (2 ml). cumin seeds; 2 garlic cloves, quartered

Try this homemade Vegetable Couscous with Harissa Sauce recipe the whole family will love. Made with olive oil, portobello mushrooms, red onion and cele…

This Vegetable Couscous with Harissa Sauce relies on simple, everyday ingredients such as (175 ml) olive oil, divided, red onion, quartered, (2 ml). dried thyme and (2 ml). dried marjoram. It comes together quickly and makes 4 servings, at about 968 kcal each. The step-by-step instructions below are written to be easy to follow, even on a busy day.

It's versatile enough for an easy weeknight dinner yet satisfying enough for guests at the weekend. Serve it with your favorite sides, and keep any leftovers for a quick meal the next day.

Updated Jun 30, 2026

Serves 4 General

Servings: persons

3/4 cup (175 ml) olive oil, divided
3 portobello mushrooms, cleaned and thickly sliced
1 red onion, quartered
1 celery root, cut into large chunks
2 white turnips, peeled and quartered
2 leeks, cleaned and cut into 1/4 inch thick pieces
1 medium head cauliflower, separated into florets
1/2 tsp (2 ml). dried thyme
1/2 tsp (2 ml). dried marjoram
3 Tbsp (45 ml). Ras El Hanout, divided - (recipe follows)
5 cups (1175 ml) vegetable stock
2 cups (475 ml) canned chickpeas, drained
5 cups (1175 ml) couscous
salt to taste
10 fresh mint leaves
2 Tbsp (30 ml). ground ginger
2 tsp (10 ml). ground black pepper
2 tsp (10 ml). ground nutmeg
2 tsp (10 ml). allspice
2 tsp (10 ml). ground mace
2 tsp (10 ml). ground cardamom
2 tsp (10 ml). ground cinnamon
2 tsp (10 ml). ground turmeric
1 tsp (5 ml). ground coriander
1/4 tsp (1 ml). ground cloves
1/4 tsp (1 ml). ground ground red pepper
1 tsp (5 ml). caraway seeds
1 tsp (5 ml). coriander seeds
1/2 tsp (2 ml). cumin seeds
2 garlic cloves, quartered
salt, to taste
3 Tbsp (45 ml). sweet paprika
1 Tbsp (15 ml). red pepper flakes
2 Tbsp (30 ml). dried mint leaves
1 2 Tbsp (30 ml). olive oil

1
Heat 1/4 cup (60 ml) olive oil in medium skillet until hot, but not smoking.
2
Add mushrooms and cook, stirring until softened and barely brown; remove from heat and set aside.
3
Heat remaining olive oil in a large pot until medium hot, but not smoking; add next seven ingredients.
4
Stir in 1 Tbsp (15 ml).
5
Ras El Hanout; cover and cook over medium heat until partially cooked, about ten minutes; stir in three cups of vegetable stock.
6
Continue cooking until the vegetables are tender but not overdone, twenty to thirty minutes.
7
During last ten minutes, stir in the reserved portobello mushrooms and the drained chickpeas.
8
Season with salt and pepper to taste; cover and keep warm.
9
Rinse the couscous in sieve; add 2 tbsp (30 ml) Ras El Hanout and salt to taste.
10
Let stand for 20 minutes, then seperate the grains with your fingers.
11
Bring the remaining two cups vegetable stock to a simmer.
12
Add couscous and cook over medium heat to steam and heat through.
13
To serve, mound couscous in center of large platter and surround with the vegetable mixture.
14
Garnish with mint leaves and serve with harissa sauce on side.
15
Mix all ingredients thouroughly - makes 1/2 cup (125 ml).
16
Toast caraway, coriander and cumin seeds in small dry skillet over medium heat until aromatic, about two to three minutes.
17
Shake pan often to prevent burning; remove from heat and cool to room temp.
18
Grind to fine powder in small blender or with mortar and pettle.
19
Add garlic and salt and grind until smooth.
20
Add paprika, red pepper, mint leaves and olive oil and grind until the ingredients are well combined.
21
The paste will be very thick and dry.
22
Transfer to small jar and cover with olive oil; refrigerate up to six months.

968

kcal

Calories

Fat

Carbs

Protein

Fat Carbs Protein

* Per serving · 4 servings · Values may vary.

Tips for the best results

Read through all the steps once before you start and measure out your ingredients first — it makes everything go more smoothly.
Taste as you go and adjust the seasoning before serving.
Avoid overcrowding the pan — cook in batches if needed for the best texture.
Let the dish rest for a few minutes before serving so the flavors settle.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge and enjoy within a few days.

Variations & substitutions

Feel free to swap in similar ingredients you already have on hand and adjust seasoning to taste.

No specific allergen information. Please check the ingredient list for possible allergens.

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Frequently Asked Questions

This recipe makes 4 servings. You can adjust the portion size directly on this page.

You need 35 ingredients. The key ingredients include: 3/4 cup (175 ml) olive oil, divided, 3 portobello mushrooms, cleaned and thickly sliced, 1 red onion, quartered, 1 celery root, cut into large chunks, and more.

Yes, Vegetable Couscous with Harissa Sauce falls under the General category and is a great choice for this type of meal.

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days. Reheat gently before serving.

Quick Info

Servings
4 servings
Calories
968 kcal
Category
General

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