Harissa-Spiced Salmon with Couscous
A zesty North African-inspired dish featuring flaky salmon glazed with harissa and served over herb-infused couscous. This north african-inspired seafood ready in about 30 minutes pairs (6 oz each) salmon fillets, couscous, harissa paste for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 380 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.
Ingredients
- 4 (6 oz each) salmon fillets
- 1 1/2 cups couscous
- 2 tbsp harissa paste
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 1/4 cup chopped parsley
- 1/4 cup chopped dried apricots
- 1/4 cup slivered almonds
- 2 cloves, minced garlic
- 1 tsp thyme
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). In a bowl, mix harissa, lemon juice, 2 tbsp olive oil, garlic, and thyme. Brush mixture over salmon fillets and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake for 12-15 minutes until flaky.
- Step 2: In a large bowl, combine couscous with 2 cups boiling water. Cover and let sit for 10 minutes. Fluff with a fork and stir in parsley, apricots, almonds, and 1 tbsp olive oil.
- Step 3: Serve salmon atop couscous, drizzling any remaining harissa glaze over the top.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Harissa-Spiced Salmon with Couscous take to make?
Total time is about 30 minutes (15 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 Salmon 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 (6 oz each) salmon fillets from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Harissa-Spiced Salmon 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 Salmon 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.
What goes well with Harissa-Spiced Salmon with Couscous?
North African seafood 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.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
I've tried many seafood recipes and this is hands down the best.
- ★★★★★
Love how the North African come through in every bite.
- ★★★★☆
Solid recipe. Not groundbreaking but definitely making it again.
