Harissa-Spiced Lentil and Chickpea Stew with Couscous
A vibrant North African stew featuring lentils, chickpeas, and harissa spice, served over fluffy couscous for a warming, plant-based meal. This north african-inspired soups ready in about 50 minutes pairs brown, rinsed lentils, (15 oz), drained chickpeas, diced tomatoes for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 6, 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.
Ingredients
- 1 cup, brown, rinsed lentils
- 1 can (15 oz), drained chickpeas
- 2 cups, diced tomatoes
- 1 large, diced onion
- 3 cloves, minced garlic
- 2 tbsp harissa paste
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 1/2 cups (uncooked) couscous
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 cups water
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large pot, sauté onion and garlic in olive oil until softened. Add tomatoes, lentils, chickpeas, harissa, cumin, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp pepper. Stir in water and bring to a boil.
- Step 2: Reduce heat, cover, and simmer 30-35 minutes until lentils are tender. Fluff couscous with a fork and steam 5 minutes in a covered pot with 1 1/2 cups boiling water.
- Step 3: Serve stew over couscous. Garnish with fresh parsley and a drizzle of olive oil.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Harissa-Spiced Lentil and Chickpea Stew with Couscous take to make?
Total time is about 50 minutes (10 min prep + 40 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 Lentil and Chickpea Stew 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 brown, rinsed lentils from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Harissa-Spiced Lentil and Chickpea Stew 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 Lentil and Chickpea Stew with Couscous for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). 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.
What goes well with Harissa-Spiced Lentil and Chickpea Stew with Couscous?
North African soups like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
