ForkastTHE FORKAST KITCHEN
One-pot lemony white bean couscous
A one-pot dinner with pearl couscous, canned white beans, spinach, lemon, and feta. About 25 minutes; serves four.
About 25 minutes · serves 4
Start cooking ↓
Let’s make dinner
- 1
Toast the couscous
Warm the oil. Cook garlic for 30 seconds, then add the couscous. Stir for 2 minutes, until a few pieces turn lightly golden.
- 2
Simmer with beans and broth
Add the beans and broth. Bring to a simmer. Cover and cook 10–12 minutes, stirring once, until the couscous is tender.
- 3
Fold in the bright finish
Stir in spinach, lemon zest, and 2 tablespoons lemon juice. Take off the heat. Fold in half the feta, then taste before adding salt. Finish with the remaining feta.
Pearl couscous, canned white beans, and broth make the base; spinach and lemon keep it from feeling heavy. The feta goes in after the pot comes off the heat, so it stays creamy and bright. Contains wheat and milk; use suitable substitutes if needed.
Questions before you cook
Can I use regular couscous?
This method uses pearl couscous, which simmers in broth. Fine instant couscous absorbs liquid differently; do not swap it into the same cooking time and broth quantity.
When do I add the feta?
Take the pot off the heat before folding in half the feta; use the rest on top. This follows the recipe’s creamy finish without simmering the cheese.
Substitutions and ingredient choices
Cannellini or great northern beans are practical options for the canned white beans. Drain and rinse either; this variation has not been kitchen-tested.
How should I store and reheat leftovers?
Refrigerate perishable leftovers in shallow containers within 2 hours, or within 1 hour above 90°F. Keep the refrigerator at 40°F or below and use leftovers within 3–4 days. Reheat leftovers to 165°F, checking with a food thermometer. These are general USDA safety limits, not a tested shelf-life claim for this recipe.
Reheat in a covered pan, stirring and adding a little broth if the couscous has absorbed the sauce.
More dinner ideas
- White bean and broccoli melts · about 20 minutes
- Smoky sweet potato and black bean tacos · about 35 minutes
- Turkey spinach meatballs with lemon couscous · about 30 minutes
HAVE DIFFERENT INGREDIENTS?
Find your kitchen’s next move.
Photograph what you have. Forkast helps you choose between three dinner directions, shaped around your family.
Get Forkast for iPhone ↗Forkast Family membership is required for kitchen scanning. Monthly and annual options are shown in the app.