Can you reheat couscous?

You can reheat couscous. Add 1 to 3 tablespoons of water for each cup of leftover couscous. Stir gently while cold. Couscous need more water depending on the wattage of your gadget. 

When stirring Couscous, do it gently. Start around the pan’s edges and move toward the center. Do not stir too much, or you will break the granules.

Microwave

Cover the top of the bowl. It traps moisture and steams couscous to create a soft, moist, and fluffy result. Use stock instead of water for a flavor to the couscous. You may add a pat of butter. 

The butter will melt and leave you with super tasty couscous. The microwave method may be the best since it does not alter the plain, fluffy texture of the couscous. It tastes just as good as the cooked couscous. It is easy and faster to use. It requires minimal effort.

Steps

1. Take out the frozen couscous from the freezer.
2. Put it into a microwave-safe container.
3. Add three tablespoons of water into the container and place it in the microwave.
4. Heat it for 1 minute, fork, and microwave it again. When you see the steam rising, that is a sign of heating.
5. Fluff it with a fork after each one-minute increment.
6. When done, serve and enjoy.

Skillet

If you want an easy fried couscous meal with added vegetables and some sort of protein like an egg or chicken. For better results, grate the vegetables instead of cooking them to reduce the cooking time. The meal will be ready in minutes. 

The method works best with day-old couscous. Sometimes the couscous is too fresh and gets mushy in the frying pan. The method comes with a crispier, denser texture. If you want it to stay soft and fluffy, choose another method.

Steps

1. Set a skillet on the stove with medium-high heat.
2. Add oil or butter to the skillet.
3. When the pan is hot, add the couscous.
4. Toss in the pan for 2 to 3 minutes until hot.

Steaming

Make sure you have a sieve that works for such small pieces. Lining a colander with parchment paper and poking holes in the paper works as an alternative. The holes will allow the steam to come through. You can use the same method for a traditional steamer.

It makes the couscous come out super moist and fluffy with this method. Be careful since the couscous develops an unpleasant mushy texture if you steam it for too long.

Steps

1. Bring a pot of water to a boil.
2. Put the couscous in a sieve and place it over the pot. Ensure that the bottom is not touching the water. Keep a 1-2 inch gap between the water and the couscous.
3. Cover the couscous with a lid or foil.
4. Steam for 1 to 2 minutes.
5. Fluff before serving.

Frying

Unlike other foodstuffs, there is a different way to reheat couscous to make patties. You can add couscous patties like bacon, green onion, and cheese. You can also coat the patty in breadcrumbs to get a crunchy outside. If you do not want to fry the patties, heat them in an air fryer or oven instead.

Steps 

1. Mix your leftover couscous with egg and flour. Use the ratio of one egg per tablespoon of flour per cup of couscous.
2. Sprinkle some garnish, spices, or finely chopped meat.
3. Make your couscous into a burger shape.
4. Pan fry your patty in butter or oil on medium heat, flipping it to heat both sides evenly.
5. Fry until the edges are crispy.

Oven

To reheat a massive batch of couscous, you can use the oven. Timings vary depending on your oven and how much couscous you are heating. It is easier to control the heat using an oven (Homesteady.com).

Steps

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C) and spread the couscous in an oven-safe dish. 
2. Sprinkle the couscous with some water or stock and cover with foil. 
3. Heat eat for 15-20 minutes, adding more moisture if needed. 

Best method

Sauté

The best method is to sauté it. Keep the pan moist and the couscous moving. If you leave the moisture low, you end up scorching the couscous. It gets to re-fluff it and separates any grains clumped because of freezing it.

Sautéing is a quick and easy way to bring out the flavors of a dish (Lecreuset.ca). If the couscous seems dry, add more liquid. Pick stock is better over water, or you can use butter. The method gets you worried about the couscous burning on the bottom. It requires more effort than the microwave. 

Steps

1. Place a non-stick saucepan over medium heat and drizzle a bit of oil and two tablespoons of water.
2. Defrost couscous and add to the saucepan.
3. Stir it.
4. Continue stirring until it has absorbed the water.
5. Remove the saucepan and use a fork to fluff it. Fluffing Couscous makes it taste and look good. Failure to fluff it the right way forms clumps. That is why you have to use the fork to fluff your Couscous. You can also use your fingers to break the grains when necessary.
6. Add spices if you want to and serve it.

Storage

Leftover couscous should be refrigerated in a tightly sealed storage container or zip-lock plastic bag. Before refrigerating, allow the cooked couscous to cool down for an hour. Do not put warm food inside the fridge because it raises the temperature inside. Do not leave cooked couscous at room temperature for more than 2 hours. If your couscous has lots of veggies or other wet ingredients, consume it within three days.

Safe Temperatures

Couscous and pilaf can be reheated over medium-low heat in a saucepan on the stove. To reheat couscous, preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C)

FAQs

How long do you freeze Couscous?

Keep Couscous in the freezer as long as you want. It neither expires nor goes bad as long as it remains frozen. However, Couscous sometimes develops freezer burn. This happens when all moisture is sucked out of it and becomes frosted. The food becomes bland after being reheated. That is why you should freeze it in an air-tight bag.

Can couscous become mushy after reheating?

Yes, it becomes mushy after reheating only when prepared fully or frozen. To avoid the mess, prepare it by following the steps and freeze it.

Can reheat spoil the taste?

Couscous tastes better when fresh. If you reheat it properly, it will still taste good. What may spoil it is freezer burn. To avoid this, follow the procedure of freezing it.

Should I thaw the couscous before heating it?

There is no need to thaw it before reheating, but when turned into large blocks of frozen food, you have to.