Tunisian couscous with donkey meat

Tunisian couscous with donkey meat is a medium Tunisian recipe that serves 5. 1200 calories per serving. Recipe by Cooking Love Soulef on YouTube.

Prep: 25 min | Cook: 1 hr 32 min | Total: 2 hrs 12 min

Cost: $20.28 total, $4.06 per serving

Ingredients

  • 500 g Medium couscous (wheat semolina) (Medium grain, fine)
  • 3 cuillères à soupe Extra virgin olive oil (For sautéing the onion and the meat)
  • 1 pièce Medium onion (Finely sliced)
  • 800 g Donkey meat (or lamb) (Medium-sized, boneless pieces)
  • 2 cuillères à soupe Tomato paste (Tomato paste)
  • 1 cuillère à café Salt (Fine salt)
  • 0.5 cuillère à café Ground black pepper (Freshly ground pepper)
  • 1 cuillère à café Sweet paprika (Mild paprika, not spicy)
  • 1 cuillère à café “Table” spice blend (coriander + caraway) (Traditional Tunisian spice)
  • 1.5 L Boiling water or broth (For cooking the meat)
  • 2 pièces Carrots (Sliced into rounds)
  • 2 pièces Zucchini (Diced)
  • 2 pièces Potatoes (Diced)
  • 1 kg Precooked chickpeas (Drained and rinsed)
  • 1 cuillère à soupe Additional olive oil (To coat the couscous grains)

Instructions

  1. Hydrate the couscous

    Place the couscous in a large bowl, add just enough warm water to moisten the grains, then rub with your fingers until slightly damp but not wet.

    Time: PT5M

  2. Coat the couscous with oil

    Add 1 tablespoon of olive oil and gently mix with your fingers to coat each grain.

    Time: PT3M

  3. First steam cooking

    Pour water into the lower part of the couscoussier, bring to a boil, place the basket containing the couscous above and steam for 20 minutes until the grains are puffed and tender.

    Time: PT20M

    Temperature: 100°C

  4. Sauté the onion

    Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in the pressure cooker, add the chopped onion and sauté for 5 minutes until translucent.

    Time: PT5M

    Temperature: 180°C

  5. Sear the meat

    Add the donkey meat pieces to the pot, brown for 5 minutes while stirring to achieve a nice color.

    Time: PT5M

    Temperature: 180°C

  6. Add tomato paste and spices

    Stir in the tomato paste, salt, pepper, sweet paprika and the “table” blend. Mix for 2 minutes to release the aromas.

    Time: PT2M

  7. Pressure cooking

    Pour 1.5 L of boiling water (or broth) into the pot, close the lid and pressure cook for 20 minutes.

    Time: PT20M

  8. Add the carrots

    Release the pressure, open the pot, add the carrot rounds and continue cooking over medium heat for 10 minutes.

    Time: PT10M

    Temperature: 100°C

  9. Add zucchini and potatoes

    Stir in the diced zucchini and potatoes, cook another 10 minutes until tender.

    Time: PT10M

    Temperature: 100°C

  10. Stir in the chickpeas

    Add the precooked chickpeas, mix and simmer for 5 minutes to warm through.

    Time: PT5M

    Temperature: 100°C

  11. Second steam cooking of the couscous

    Return the couscous to the couscoussier basket, add a splash of water if needed and steam for an additional 10 minutes to fluff the grains.

    Time: PT10M

    Temperature: 100°C

  12. Drizzle the couscous with the sauce

    Transfer the couscous to a large serving dish, gently pour the hot sauce over it, lightly stir and let absorb for 10 minutes before serving.

    Time: PT10M

Nutrition Facts

Calories
1200
Protein
70 g
Carbohydrates
150 g
Fat
45 g
Fiber
12 g

Dietary info: non-vegetarian, contains meat, contains gluten, high-protein, high-fiber

Allergens: gluten

Last updated: April 11, 2026

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Tunisian couscous with donkey meat

Recipe by Cooking Love Soulef

Discover the authentic recipe for Tunisian couscous with donkey meat, prepared with vegetables, chickpeas, and a traditional “table” spice blend. The couscous is steamed for a fluffy texture, then drizzled with a thick, flavorful sauce. Ideal for a convivial meal for 5 people.

MediumTunisianServes 5

Shop all ingredients on Amazon in one click • Printable PDF with shopping checklist

Source Video
25m
Prep
1h 20m
Cook
13m
Cleanup
1h 58m
Total

Cost Breakdown

$20.28
Total cost
$4.06
Per serving

Critical Success Points

  • Hydrate the couscous
  • Sear the meat
  • Pressure cooking
  • Second steam cooking of the couscous
  • Drizzle the couscous with the sauce

Safety Warnings

  • Be careful with hot oil when sautéing the onion and the meat.
  • Use the pressure cooker according to the manufacturer's instructions to avoid pressure accidents.
  • Handle hot vegetables with gloves or a cloth to avoid burns.

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