Mexican Couscous Express Recipe
A quick and flavorful Mexican-inspired couscous recipe that combines aromatic spices, black beans, corn, fresh vegetables, and a creamy avocado finish. Perfect as a light main dish or a vibrant side, this couscous is ready in just minutes using boiling water to infuse delightful Mexican flavors.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Mexican
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Spice and Grain Mix
- 1 1/2 tsp salt
- 2 tsp cumin powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 cup couscous
Liquid and Base
- 1 cup boiling water
- 1/4 cup tomato paste
Vegetables and Legumes
- 1 tbsp diced jalapeño (fresh preferred, tinned acceptable)
- 2 scallions (shallots), roughly sliced (optional)
- 1 can (15 oz / 400 g) black beans (or red kidney beans), drained and rinsed
- 1 can (15 oz / 400 g) corn kernels, drained
- Handful of fresh coriander / cilantro
- 1 tomato, deseeded and diced
- 1/2 avocado, diced
Toppings
- Sour cream
- Grated cheese
Instructions
- Combine Spices and Couscous: Place the salt, cumin powder, onion powder, and couscous into a mixing bowl. Quickly toss them together to evenly distribute the spices throughout the couscous.
- Hydrate Couscous: Pour 1 cup of boiling water over the couscous mixture. Cover the bowl to trap the steam and allow the couscous to absorb the water for 5 minutes.
- Fluff and Add Tomato Paste: After 5 minutes, use a fork to fluff the couscous, breaking up any clumps. Stir in the tomato paste thoroughly to coat the grains evenly and add rich color and flavor.
- Mix in Fresh Ingredients and Beans: Add the diced jalapeño, sliced scallions (if using), drained black beans, corn kernels, fresh coriander, and diced tomato to the couscous. Gently fold all ingredients together to combine.
- Serve and Garnish: Spoon the couscous mixture onto plates or bowls. Top with diced avocado, a dollop of sour cream, and sprinkle grated cheese as desired. Serve immediately for best freshness and flavor.
Notes
- For a vegetarian or vegan option, omit sour cream and cheese or substitute with plant-based alternatives.
- Adjust the spice level by varying the amount of jalapeño used.
- You can substitute red kidney beans if preferred instead of black beans.
- For extra zest, add a squeeze of lime juice before serving.
- Use fresh coriander for the best herb flavor, but dried can be used in a pinch.
Keywords: Mexican couscous, quick couscous recipe, black beans and corn couscous, easy Mexican side dish, vegetarian couscous, spicy couscous salad
Find it online: https://stirringwithstella.com/mexican-couscous-express-recipe/
