Persian Beef and Couscous

Elevate your dinner routine with Persian Beef and Couscous, a vibrant fusion of bold spices and hearty ingredients. This dish features tender beef stew meat simmered to perfection in a fragrant blend of turmeric, cinnamon, cumin, and coriander, creating a richly spiced and comforting stew. Sweet notes of chopped dried apricots and nutty chickpeas add depth and texture, while fluffy couscous—prepared with melted butter—provides the perfect base for soaking up the luscious flavors. Finished with a fresh parsley garnish and crunchy toasted almonds, this Middle Eastern-inspired recipe is ideal for family dinners or impressing guests. Ready in just over an hour, Persian Beef and Couscous is a deliciously aromatic experience that brings global flavors straight to your table. Search no further for cozy, spice-filled dinner ideas!

Nutriscore Rating: 71/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:75 mins

Total Time:95 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 500 grams Beef stew meat
• 2 tablespoons Olive oil
• 1 Yellow onion, diced
• 3 Garlic cloves, minced
• 1 teaspoon Ground turmeric
• 1 teaspoon Ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon Ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon Ground coriander
• 2 tablespoons Tomato paste
• 2 cups Beef stock
• 100 grams Dried apricots, chopped
• 1 cup Cooked chickpeas, rinsed and drained
• 1.5 teaspoons Salt
• 0.5 teaspoons Black pepper
• 1.5 cups Couscous
• 1.5 cups Boiling water
• 1 tablespoon Butter
• 2 tablespoons Fresh parsley, chopped
• 2 tablespoons Sliced almonds, toasted

Directions

Step 1

Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat.

Step 2

Add the beef stew meat and sear until browned on all sides, about 5 minutes. Work in batches if necessary to avoid crowding the pan. Remove the beef and set aside.

Step 3

Reduce the heat to medium. In the same pot, add the diced onion and cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until softened and golden.

Step 4

Add the minced garlic, ground turmeric, ground cinnamon, ground cumin, and ground coriander. Stir for 1 minute to toast the spices.

Step 5

Stir in the tomato paste and cook for 2 minutes to deepen its flavor.

Step 6

Return the seared beef to the pot, then pour in the beef stock, ensuring the beef is mostly submerged.

Step 7

Add the chopped dried apricots, cooked chickpeas, salt, and black pepper. Stir to combine.

Step 8

Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let it cook for 1 hour, stirring occasionally, until the beef is tender and the flavors are well-developed.

Step 9

While the beef is cooking, prepare the couscous. Place the couscous in a large, heatproof bowl. Add a pinch of salt.

Step 10

Pour 1.5 cups of boiling water over the couscous, cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap or a plate, and let it sit for 5 minutes.

Step 11

After 5 minutes, fluff the couscous with a fork and stir in 1 tablespoon of butter until melted.

Step 12

Once the beef is done, taste the stew and adjust seasoning if needed.

Step 13

Serve the beef stew over the fluffed couscous. Sprinkle with fresh parsley and toasted sliced almonds for garnish.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2119.6g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2706.5

Total Fat 130.8g	0%
Saturated Fat 42.7g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 3.2g
Cholesterol 482.9mg	0%
Sodium 6580.1mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 207.7g	0%
Dietary Fiber 35.8g	0%
Total Sugars 73.1g
Protein 174.1g	0%

Vitamin D 2.2IU	0%
Calcium 476.7mg	0%
Iron 29.7mg	0%
Potassium 4358.8mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 43.5%

Protein: 25.8%

Carbs: 30.7%