Harissa-Spiced Salmon with Couscous and Roasted Vegetables
A North African-inspired dish featuring flaky salmon glazed with harissa, served with fluffy couscous and a medley of roasted vegetables. This north african-inspired seafood ready in about 70 minutes pairs (6 oz each) salmon fillets, harissa paste, olive oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 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
- 2 tbsp harissa paste
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 1/2 cups (uncooked) couscous
- 1 (diced) zucchini
- 1 (diced) bell peppers
- 1/2 (sliced) red onion
- 2 cloves (minced) garlic
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 cup (chopped) fresh parsley
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). In a bowl, mix harissa paste, olive oil, and lemon juice. Brush mixture evenly over salmon fillets.
- Step 2: In a large bowl, toss zucchini, bell peppers, red onion, garlic, salt, and pepper with 1 tbsp olive oil. Spread vegetables on a baking sheet and roast for 20 minutes.
- Step 3: Place salmon on the baking sheet with vegetables, drizzle with remaining harissa mixture, and roast for 15-20 minutes until salmon is flaky and golden. Cook couscous in boiling water for 10 minutes, then fluff with a fork. Serve salmon over couscous with roasted vegetables and parsley.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Harissa-Spiced Salmon with Couscous and Roasted Vegetables take to make?
Total time is about 70 minutes (30 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 Salmon with Couscous and Roasted Vegetables?
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 and Roasted Vegetables?
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 and Roasted Vegetables 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 and Roasted Vegetables?
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
- ★★★★★
Simple and delicious.
- ★★★★☆
Nice recipe! Presentation was beautiful. Flavor was good, not great.
- ★★★★☆
Good flavors but the sauce was a bit thin. I'd reduce it longer.
