Not Keto
Couscous
34.20g net carbs per 1 cup cooked
Couscous packs 34.2 g net carbs into a single cooked cup, which can swallow an entire day's keto budget in one side dish. Skip it and reach for cauliflower rice instead, since it gives you a similar fluffy texture for a tiny fraction of the carbs.
Built by Barron Hansen · Last updated July 2026
Nutrition Facts
Fits My Daily Budget?
Set your daily net carb limit to see how one serving fits.
One serving uses 100% of your 20g daily budget.
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Good to Know
Despite looking like a grain, this is really tiny pasta made from semolina wheat, so it carries the same starch load as regular noodles. Boxed flavored versions, like the Near East garlic or Parmesan packets, often add sugar and oils in the seasoning, pushing carbs even higher. If you want the fluffy, fork-it-up texture without the wheat, riced cauliflower seasoned with broth and herbs comes much closer to keto territory.
Is Couscous Keto? The Full Answer
Couscous contains 34.20g net carbs per 1 cup cooked (36.40g total carbs minus 2.20g fiber). Couscous packs 34.2 g net carbs into a single cooked cup, which can swallow an entire day's keto budget in one side dish. Skip it and reach for cauliflower rice instead, since it gives you a similar fluffy texture for a tiny fraction of the carbs.
On a standard ketogenic diet, most people target 20-25g net carbs per day. A single serving uses 171% of a 20g daily carb limit. If you are following a strict ketogenic protocol, reach for a lower-carb option instead.
Better Keto Swaps
Cauliflower rice is the easiest stand-in. Pulse a head into fine grains, saute in butter, and a 1 cup serving lands around 3 g net carbs versus the 34.2 g packed into a cup of the real thing. For a closer texture match, try riced cabbage or finely chopped broccoli stems, both roughly 3 to 4 g net carbs per cup and sturdy enough to hold up under stews. Want something that mimics those little pearls? Konjac (shirataki) rice works well, sitting near 1 g net carbs per serving, and it soaks up whatever sauce you spoon over it.
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