Roasted Harissa-Spiced Lamb with Warm Couscous

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

An aromatic Mediterranean dish featuring tender roasted lamb infused with fiery harissa and served over fluffy, warmly spiced couscous. This mediterranean-inspired lamb ready in about 50 minutes pairs lamb leg, boneless, harissa paste, olive oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 480 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: 15 min Cook: 35 min Serves 4 Mediterranean cuisine 480 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 400°F. In a small bowl, combine 3 tbsp harissa paste, 2 tbsp olive oil, 3 minced garlic cloves, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp ground coriander, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Rub this mixture all over 2 lbs boneless lamb leg.
  2. Step 2: Place the lamb on a roasting pan and roast in the oven for 25-30 minutes, turning halfway, until the internal temperature reaches 135°F for medium-rare. Remove and let rest for 10 minutes.
  3. Step 3: Meanwhile, bring 1 1/4 cups vegetable broth to a boil in a saucepan. Remove from heat and stir in 1 cup couscous. Cover and let sit for 5 minutes until the liquid is absorbed and couscous is fluffy.
  4. Step 4: Fluff couscous with a fork and stir in 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley and 2 tbsp lemon juice for brightness. Slice the lamb thinly and serve over the warm couscous.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Roasted Harissa-Spiced Lamb with Warm Couscous take to make?

Total time is about 50 minutes (15 min prep + 35 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 Roasted Harissa-Spiced Lamb with Warm 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 lamb leg, boneless from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Roasted Harissa-Spiced Lamb with Warm 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 Roasted Harissa-Spiced Lamb with Warm 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 Roasted Harissa-Spiced Lamb with Warm Couscous?

Mediterranean lamb 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.

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