People looking to limit the salt already present
You’re looking for a recipe that contains little salt before any preparation. Prosain labels its seven-vegetable couscous ‘no added salt’ and lists less than 0.1 g of salt per 100 g.
Who are these options for?
People who prefer to control the seasoning
You’re happy to prepare the couscous and accompaniments separately. The Auchan Medium Couscous product information lists 0.05 g of salt per 100 g of dry couscous; remember to factor in the cooking water, stock and sauces too.
People looking for a quick meal to order
You want to save time with a ready-to-heat dish or cooked vegetables. Before checking out, compare the recipes: Auchan lists 0.56 g of salt per 100 g for the Cassegrain Moroccan-style vegetables we checked.
What should you check before ordering?
First decide whether you want a ready-to-heat dish, vegetables to serve with couscous or a dry base to season yourself. Then compare the salt per 100 g in products for the same purpose, and take your portion size into account.
| What to consider | What to check | Who this matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Salt already present | For a ready-to-heat dish, check the ‘salt’ entry per 100 g for the exact recipe, even if it says ‘no added salt’. | I want to know how much salt is in the dish before I do anything to it. Around 42% of consumers put this first. |
| Seasoning at home | For plain couscous, check the ingredients and preparation instructions, then consider the stock and accompaniments. | I’m happy to prepare the couscous if I can choose what to add to the meal myself; around 33% of consumers prioritise this level of control. |
| Convenience of ordering | Check the pack size, nutritional information and allergens for the product you’ve selected, as well as local collection or delivery options. | When saving time is the main concern, I look for a product that’s easy to serve without losing sight of what’s in it; around 25% of consumers prioritise convenience. |
Common misconceptions to avoid
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Assuming ‘no additives’ means low in salt
Auchan’s product information for Cassegrain Moroccan-style vegetables lists 0.56 g of salt per 100 g. Whether or not additives are present doesn’t tell you this figure.
Compare the ‘salt’ entry for the recipes you’re considering, then relate it to the amount you’ll serve.
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Comparing dry couscous directly with a ready-to-eat dish
The 0.05 g of salt per 100 g listed by Auchan is for its dry couscous, before any salted water, stock, sauce or cooked vegetables are added.
Use this figure to assess the base of the meal, then look separately at anything you add to it.
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Forgetting to check allergens when choosing a pack
The Auchan and Tipiak couscous products we checked are made from durum wheat. Check the ingredients and allergen declarations for every product you order.
Read the label for the product you’ve selected, especially if another product or pack size is substituted in your basket.
Brands to compare
Prosain
The brand offers an organic seven-vegetable couscous in a jar, ready to heat, which is described as having ‘no added salt’.
- Prosain lists less than 0.1 g of salt per 100 g for this recipe.
- This doesn’t mean it contains no salt: the brand explains that sodium is naturally present.
Cassegrain
Its cooked vegetables for couscous can be served with couscous, but don’t make up a complete couscous dish on their own.
- They let you choose the couscous and topping separately.
- Auchan’s product information for the Moroccan-style vegetables lists 0.56 g of salt per 100 g. Check each recipe rather than relying on the words ‘no additives’.
Auchan
Its Medium Couscous is a base you can prepare and season at home.
- Auchan’s product information lists 100% durum wheat couscous and 0.05 g of salt per 100 g of dry product.
- Preparation and accompaniments affect the amount of salt in the meal; the couscous contains wheat.
Tipiak
The Fine Couscous we checked is durum wheat couscous to prepare yourself, not a tinned dish that’s ready to heat.
- Auchan’s product information lists its ingredients as 100% durum wheat couscous.
- The preparation instructions for this product recommend salted water. Adjust this step if you want to control what you add.
Carrefour
The retailer features, among other products, a listing for Cassegrain Moroccan-style vegetables for couscous.
- The product listing lets you check the item you’ve chosen before adding it to your basket.
- Check the nutritional information and ingredients for the exact product, as well as the options available for your local store or address.
Semolina and dried couscous available on Joybuy
These products are a base that you can prepare and season at home. To choose between them, check the grain size or format you want, then read the product information for the exact item. None of these products is a substitute for a tinned couscous dish that’s ready to heat.
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TIPIAK Medium Couscous 1 kg
Prepare the base of your meal yourself and choose how to season it. Joybuy’s product information for this item lists 0 g of salt per 100 g; consider stock and accompaniments separately.
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DARI Fine Moroccan Couscous 1 kg
Worth considering if you’re looking for fine-grain couscous to prepare with your own accompaniments. This 1 kg pack is a dry product: check its ‘salt’ entry and ingredients before ordering.
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DARI Medium Moroccan Couscous 1 kg
A different grain size for preparing couscous at home and choosing your topping separately. For this 1 kg pack, check the nutritional information and the salt added during preparation.
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SAMIA Moroccan Couscous 1 kg
Make a meal with dried couscous rather than a ready-to-heat dish. The pack contains 1 kg; check the ingredients and salt content for this product, then do the same for your chosen accompaniments.
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Sens Maroc Plain Pearl Couscous 900 g
This 900 g pack of pearl couscous offers a different format from the fine or medium couscous on this list, and can be prepared with your choice of seasoning. Check the cooking instructions, ingredients and ‘salt’ entry for the product you order.
Frequently asked questions
Does ‘no added salt’ mean there’s no salt in the product?
No. For its organic seven-vegetable couscous, Prosain says ‘no added salt’, but also lists less than 0.1 g of salt per 100 g, from naturally occurring sodium. Check the ‘salt’ entry rather than assuming the amount is zero.
Can you rely on ‘no additives’ when choosing vegetables for couscous?
No, this claim doesn’t tell you how much salt they contain. Auchan’s product information for Cassegrain Moroccan-style vegetables lists 0.56 g of salt per 100 g; compare the nutritional values of the recipes you’re considering.
Is plain couscous enough to limit the salt in a meal?
No. It lets you choose what to add, but doesn’t determine the overall make-up of the meal. Auchan Medium Couscous contains 0.05 g of salt per 100 g of dry product, while its instructions call for salted water. Remember to take stock, sauces and toppings into account too.