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It’s impossible to cook a regular size batch of couscous.

Can you reheat your couscous leftovers without ending up with a mushy mess?

I tested seven (yes, seven!) different reheating methods to find the one that works best (with the least amount of effort).

Ready? Let’s jump right in.

The best way to reheat couscous is in the microwave. First, sprinkle a tablespoon of water or stock per cup of couscous. Next, cover your bowl or plate with a damp paper towel, then reheat the couscous in 30-second intervals until heated through. Fluff the couscous with a fork during breaks.

A note on my experiment

couscous in several vessels: baking tray, skillet, pan, airtight container, microwave-safe plate

I made a massive batch of couscous and left it in the fridge overnight.

The next day I tested reheating it using seven different methods:

In a skillet
In the microwave (my favorite method, fast and fluffy)
By steaming
On the stove
By making couscous cakes
In the oven
In boiling water

The fastest, easiest method turned out to be the best.

The microwave kept the couscous soft, fluffy, and nutty.

The steamer also worked really well.

Using a skillet is a great way to change the taste and texture of the couscous if you’re bored of the standard stuff.

The oven was a bit slow, and the boiling water left the couscous soggy.

Reheating couscous in the microwave

To reheat leftover couscous in the microwave, add a tablespoon of water or stock per cup of couscous. Cover your bowl or plate with a damp paper towel, then reheat in 30-second intervals until heated through. Fluff the couscous with a fork during breaks.

couscous on a plate covered with a damp paper towel

How to reheat couscous in the microwave:

For each cup of couscous, add 1 tablespoon of water or stock.
Cover your couscous with a damp paper towel.
Heat in 30-second intervals.
Fluff with a fork during breaks.
Enjoy when your couscous is piping hot.

The damp paper towel over the top traps moisture and steams the couscous. This will create a soft, moist, and fluffy end result.

Using stock instead of water will give more flavor to the couscous.

Another option you have is to add a pat of butter. The butter will melt and leave you with super tasty couscous.

My verdict

I liked the microwave method the best because it didn’t alter the plain, nutty taste or soft, fluffy texture of the couscous at all.

Plus, it’s easy!

With minimal effort, my leftovers were back to good-as-new!

Reheating couscous in a skillet

To reheat leftover couscous in a skillet, set your stove to medium-high. Add oil or butter to the skillet and when it’s hot, add the couscous. Toss in the pan for 2 to 3 minutes until toasty and heated through.

couscous in a small skillet with a splash of oil

How to reheat couscous in a skillet:

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

For an easy fried couscous meal, add vegetables and some sort of protein like an egg or chicken.

A good tip I use is to grate the vegetables instead of cooking them.

This drastically cuts down the cooking time, so the meal will be ready in minutes.

The method works best with day-old couscous.

If the couscous is too fresh, it will get mushy in the frying pan.

My verdict

Reheating in a skillet is a great way to transform couscous into something different and exciting.

I liked the crispier, denser texture that frying the couscous gave me.

If you want it to stay soft and fluffy, this isn’t the method for you.

Reheating couscous by steaming

To reheat leftover couscous by steaming, bring a pot of water to a boil. Place a fine, couscous-filled sieve on top of the pot, making sure it doesn’t touch the water. Cover the couscous with a lid or foil and steam for 1-2 minutes. Fluff before serving.

couscous in a sieve resting on top of a pan of boiling water

How to reheat couscous by steaming:

Bring a pot of water to a boil.
Put the couscous in a fine-mesh sieve and place it over the pot, ensuring the bottom doesn’t touch the water. I like to keep a 1-2 inch gap between the water and the couscous.
Cover the couscous with a lid or foil.
Steam for 1 to 2 minutes.
Fluff before serving.

If you don’t have a sieve that would work for such small pieces, line a colander with parchment paper and poke some holes in the paper.

The holes will allow the steam to come through.

You can use the same method for a traditional steamer.

My verdict

The couscous came out super moist and fluffy with this method.

You do have to be careful though. The couscous will develop an unpleasant mushy texture if you steam it for too long.

Reheating couscous on the stove

To reheat couscous on the stove, put your couscous into a pan. Turn the heat to low and add in 1 to 2 tablespoons of water or stock per cup of couscous. Stir and cover with a lid. Stir frequently for around 3 to 5 minutes.

How to reheat couscous on the stove:

Put the couscous into a pan.
Add 1 to 2 tablespoons of water or stock per cup of couscous. Stir.
Cover with a lid.
Heat on low, stirring frequently until heated through – around 3 to 5 minutes.

It’s important to keep the pan moist and the couscous moving.

If you allow the moisture to get low, you may end up scorching the couscous.

If the couscous seems dry, add more liquid (stock is better than water, or you can use butter).

My verdict

The method worked out okay in the end, but I didn’t like the process.

I worried about the couscous burning on the bottom, and it was much more effort than the microwave, which worked perfectly with very little effort.

Reheating couscous by making couscous cakes

A different way to reheat couscous is to make patties. Start by mixing your leftovers with some egg and a small amount of flour, just enough for the couscous to stick together and hold a shape. Shape the couscous into a patty and pan fry it on both dies over medium heat until crispy.

How to reheat couscous by making couscous cakes:

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

The patties can be pretty delicate, so be careful when you flip them.

My favorite additions to the couscous patties are bacon, green onion, and cheese.

I also sometimes coat the patty in panko breadcrumbs to get a super crunchy outside.

If you don’t want to fry the patties, you can heat them in an air fryer or oven instead.

My verdict

I personally wasn’t a fan of these.

I didn’t like the texture, but my partner absolutely loved them and said they’d be making them for breakfast for the rest of the week!

Reheating couscous in the oven

To reheat a massive batch of couscous, you can use the oven. Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C) and spread the couscous out in an oven-safe dish. Sprinkle the couscous with some water or stock and cover with foil. Heat eat for 15-20 minutes, adding more moisture if needed.

Timings will vary depending on your oven and how much couscous you’re heating.

I thought this method was very slow and wouldn’t recommend it for small portions of couscous.

There are much better reheating options.

Reheating couscous in boiling water

Another method you can use to reheat couscous is to submerge the couscous in boiling water for 20 seconds. Bring a pot of water to a boil, pour the couscous in and wait 10-20 seconds before draining the couscous. It should be steaming hot.

Make sure your draining equipment is ready and to hand – if you leave the couscous in the water too long, it will get very overcooked.

I wasn’t a massive fan of this method because I felt it left the couscous a bit waterlogged.

How to store couscous

To store couscous, cool it to room temperature before putting it in an airtight container in the fridge. The couscous will stay good for up to 5 days before it starts getting too dry. If your couscous has lots of veggies or other wet ingredients in it, you’ll want to eat it within three days.

If you put a big pot of couscous in the fridge, the middle will take ages to cool down and might even end up overcooked.

The most effective method to cool a big batch of couscous quickly is to spread it out on a baking tray.

You can also move the couscous into multiple smaller containers or put the pot in a cold water bath.

Can you freeze couscous?

Plain couscous without vegetables or added protein freezes well. When you add in other ingredients, the moisture levels may get complicated, and you can end up with mushy couscous. Freeze the couscous in an airtight freezer bag for up to 6 months.

How to freeze couscous:

Cool the couscous to room temperature.
Put the couscous into a freezer bag.
Remove as much of the air as possible and seal tightly.
Store in the freezer for 4 to 6 months.

The couscous shouldn’t stick together too much in the freezer, and you’ll be able to break up any lumps easily with your hands. So there’s no need to worry about portioning it out.

Removing the air from the bag helps prevent freezer burn.

You can squeeze it out with your hands, but this isn’t always very effective.

I prefer to dunk the freezer bag in a bowl of water. The pressure from the water forces the air out of the bag.

You can also suck it out with a straw (like a human vacuum sealer).

How to reheat frozen couscous

To reheat frozen couscous, do not thaw it. Instead, reheat it straight from frozen in the microwave. Break up any clumps in the couscous and cover it with a damp paper towel. Heat the couscous in 30 seconds intervals until warm and fluffy. You can also steam the couscous.