Harissa-Spiced Grilled Vegetables with Couscous

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Charred vegetables glazed with harissa and lemon, served over fluffy couscous for a vibrant North African dish. This north african-inspired vegetarian (vegetarian) ready in about 35 minutes pairs medium zucchini, large eggplant, red onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 280 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 20 min Cook: 15 min Serves 4 North African cuisine 280 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat grill to 400°F (200°C). Toss zucchini, eggplant, and red onion with 2 tbsp olive oil, 1 minced garlic clove, and 1 tbsp harissa paste. Spread on a baking sheet and grill for 12-15 minutes, turning halfway, until charred and tender.
  2. Step 2: In a small bowl, whisk lemon juice, 1 tbsp harissa paste, and 1/4 tsp salt. Brush glaze over grilled vegetables and return to grill for 2-3 minutes until glossy.
  3. Step 3: In a large bowl, fluff couscous with 1/4 cup boiling water. Let sit for 5 minutes, then stir in remaining 2 tbsp olive oil, 2 minced garlic cloves, and chopped parsley. Serve vegetables atop couscous.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Harissa-Spiced Grilled Vegetables with Couscous take to make?

Total time is about 35 minutes (20 min prep + 15 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Harissa-Spiced Grilled Vegetables with Couscous?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep medium zucchini from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Harissa-Spiced Grilled Vegetables with Couscous?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Harissa-Spiced Grilled Vegetables with Couscous for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

Is Harissa-Spiced Grilled Vegetables with Couscous vegetarian?

Yes — this recipe is tagged vegetarian based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.

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