This flavorful vegetarian couscous is the ultimate “just add water” backpacking food that can be comprised of ingredients entirely furnished from the supermarket. When cooked stovetop, couscous is added to boiling water and then removed from the heat to absorb the water. In the backcountry, boiling water is added to the couscous but the net result in the same: a warm, hearty, ultralight camping meal ready to consume in under 10 minutes.

When purchasing couscous, make sure to get the small Moroccan style or golden couscous, rather than the pearl variety. Store bought couscous has already been steamed and dehydrated, and it’s high surface-area to volume ratio allows it to rehydrate almost instantly.

Dry couscous ingredients filling less than half the volume of a mylar bag

Small grains of the cooked couscous for scale

Makes 2 Servings

1/2 cup Moroccan couscous
2 Tbsp raisins
2 Tbsp currents or barberry
2 Tbsp dried cherries
2 Tbsp butter powder
2-3 Tbsp each of slivered almonds, walnuts and/or pine-nuts
2 tsp baharat, ras el hanouh, advieh or garam masala spice mix (see below)

Preparation Instructions: Measure out all the ingredients and add to re-sealable boil bag. If planning to use this meal within two months, you do not need to add an oxygen-absorber. That’s one less thing to pack in, and one less piece of trash to pack out.

Don’t forget to label your bag with the rehydration instructions!

Serving Instructions: Add 2/3 cup boiling water. Let stand 10 minutes.

I have personally purchased and used any product linked to in this recipe. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Baharat Spice Mix

If you don’t have a favorite pre-packaged or homemade spice mix in your pantry, make your own! Baharat just means “spices” in Arabic (the same meaning as masala in Hindi, or advieh in Persian) and while the general flavor profile will be similar – warm, earthy, and aromatic – every commercial blend will be slightly different. I prefer to grind my own spice blends so that I can customize the level of spice while maintaining freshness and consistency. In a mortar and pestle, grid together: