This easy shakshuka is made with eggs that are gently poached in a simmering mixture of tomatoes, bell peppers, onions, and garlic. A few warm spices and some fresh herbs complete this satisfying one-skillet dish!
Serve it for breakfast, lunch, or dinner (brinner)! Be sure to read through for ideas on what to serve along and watch my video tutorial below!
Shakshuka, pronounced Shahk-SHOO-kah!
Not only is it fun to say, but shakshuka eggs is one of my favorite vegetarian dishes of all time. Made of every-day ingredients–eggs, tomatoes, bell peppers, onions, and garlic–this dish is healthy, satisfying, and packed with flavor.
Growing up in Egypt, my favorite place to eat the perfect shakshuka was at a restaurant near the Nile called Felfela. No, it is not a traditional Egyptian dish; let me tell you more…
What is Shakshuka? And where is it from?
Egg shakshuka is a simple one-skillet dish of gently poached eggs in a tasty mixture of simmering tomatoes, green peppers, onions and garlic. A few spices are added, and they may vary slightly from one recipe to another.
Traditional shakshuka originally came from North Africa–Tunisia is said to be its place of birth–but it is quite popular in the Middle East and you’ll find variations of it in Palestine, Israel, Egypt and many other places.
This is a basic shakshuka recipe that stays true to North African flavors.
It helps to break this simple recipe into two main components:
- The thick, chunky tomato mixture (I call it shakshuka sauce) made of tomatoes, bell peppers, onions and garlic +
- The eggs, which are nestled in the cooked tomato mixture.
This dish makes the perfect use of fresh ripe tomatoes, especially when they’re in season, but you can also use canned tomatoes to make it.
And if you need to add a little kick of spice, stir in a tablespoon or two of my homemade harissa chile paste!
Ingredients
- Extra virgin olive oil: I used Private Reserve Greek extra virgin olive oil
- Vegetables: 1 large chopped onion, 1 to 2 green bell peppers, and 2 minced garlic cloves. These three ingredients (plus spices) creates a sofrito to start the chunky sauce.
- Spices: coriander, cumin, paprika— a trio of warm North African flavors. If you like spicy shakshuka (some call it eggs in purgatory), add a pinch of red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper.
- Tomatoes (and alternatives): In this recipe, I use 6 chopped vine ripe tomatoes and about 1/2 cup of tomato sauce, this combination gives me the texture and flavor I’m looking for. It helps if your tomatoes are soft and almost overripe. You can also replace the fresh tomatoes with 1 28-ounce can of whole tomatoes or 6 cups of chopped tomatoes from a can with their juices.
- Eggs: 6 large eggs (raw)
- Garnish: This is totally optional, but for me a handful of fresh chopped parsley and mint just before serving adds freshness and a pop of color.
How to Make Shakshuka
Time needed: 40 minutes.
Step-by-step guide for making traditional shakshuka (print-friendly recipe below)
- Cook onions, bell peppers, and garlic
Heat extra virgin olive oil in a large heavy skillet or pan. Add chopped onions, bell peppers, and garlic. Add coriander, paprika, cumin, crushed red pepper flakes (if using) and a good pinch of kosher salt and black pepper. Cook this sofrito mixture for at least 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are tender
- Add tomatoes to make shakshuka sauce
To make the shakshuka sauce, add fresh diced tomatoes (about 6 vine ripe tomatoes) and 1/2 cup of tomato sauce (alternatively, you can use a 28-ounce can of whole tomatoes or 6 cups of canned diced tomatoes with their juices). Bring to a boil, then cover and let simmer for about 15 minutes, then uncover and cook a few minutes until the tomato mixture (or shakshuka sauce) has thickened
- Add eggs
Now, using the back of a wooden spoon make some indentations or “wells” in the chunky shashuka sauce. Make sure that you space out those wells as they will each house an egg. Crack your eggs and add them each in the wells or indentations you created.
- Cook eggs
Now, over low or medium-low heat, cover the skillet and allow the eggs to cook briefly until the whites are settled (shakshuka eggs are supposed to be runny, but if you like your eggs hard, you can let them cook a bit longer).
- Garnish and serve
If you like spicy shakshuka, add a pinch crushed pepper flakes or caynne. And to finish add a handful chopped parsley and fresh mint, if you like.
What to serve with Shakshuka?
There is no right or wrong way to serve this tasty vegetarian dish, but in my opinion, bread is essential to sop up all the goodness!
What do you eat with shakshuka? Let me give you some ideas:
- For breakfast or brunch. Add an assortment of warm breads. My favorites are pita bread or challah bread but you can also add a crusty bread of your choice.
- For lunch. In addition to bread, add a side salad like this Mediterranean chickpea salad or white bean salad.
- Turn it into a vegetarian feast! I love to use this perfect shakshuka as a centerpiece to a larger vegetarian fare. Add a fun Mezze platter or a large board of Mediterranean favorites including falafel and hummus
What meat goes with shakshuka?
You can serve shakshuka as a side to a meat option like shredded slow cooked lamb. And you can actually add meat to this recipe.
One of the many variations you’ll find is shakshuka with meat in it. If you want to incorporate meat in this recipe, use about 1/2 pound of ground beef or ground lamb. Cook the meat first in a bit of extra virgin olive oil until fully browned, then add it to the shakshuka sauce to simmer along before adding the eggs (see the recipe notes below).
Watch the video for this recipe:
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Shakshuka Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 30 mins
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: Serves 6 1x
Description
Easy shakshuka made with eggs that are gently poached in a simmering mixture of tomatoes, bell peppers, onions, and garlic. A few warm spices and some fresh herbs complete this satisfying one-skillet dish!
Ingredients
- Extra virgin olive oil (I used Private Reserve EVOO)
- 1 large yellow onion, chopped
- 2 green peppers, chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, peeled, chopped
- 1 tsp ground coriander
- 1 tsp sweet paprika
- 1/2 tsp ground cumin
- Pinch red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and pepper
- 6 Vine-ripe tomatoes, chopped (about 6 cups chopped tomatoes)
- 1/2 cup tomato sauce
- 6 large eggs
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley leaves (about 0.2 ounces or 5 grams)
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh mint leaves (about 0.2 ounces or 5 grams)
Instructions
- Heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a large cast iron skillet. Add the onions, green peppers, garlic, spices, pinch salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables have softened, about 5 minutes.
- Add the tomatoes and tomato sauce. Cover and let simmer for about 15 minutes. Uncover and cook a bit longer to allow the mixture to reduce and thicken. Taste and adjust the seasoning to your liking.
- Using a wooden spoon, make 6 indentations, or “wells,” in the tomato mixture (make sure the indentations are spaced out). Gently crack an egg into each indention.
- Reduce the heat, cover the skillet, and cook on low until the egg whites are set.
- Uncover and add the fresh parsley and mint. You can add more black pepper or crushed red pepper, if you like. Serve with warm pita, challah bread, or your choice of crusty bread.
Notes
- Make Ahead Tip: You can prepare the tomato mixture (or sauce) part of this shakshuka recipe one night in advance. Follow steps #1 and #2 to prepare the shakshuka tomato sauce. Let cool completely, then store in the fridge in a tight lid glass container. When you are ready the next morning, warm up the shakshuka sauce in a skillet and add the eggs and follow steps #3 to #5.
- Leftovers Storage: Leftovers will keep for 1 to 2 days if stored properly in the fridge in tight-lid glass containers. Warm up over medium heat, adding a little more liquid to the shakshuka sauce if needed.
- To add meat: If you want to add meat, cook about 1/2 ground beef or ground lamb in some extra virgin olive oil. Season well with salt and pepper. Once fully cooked, remove the meat from the skillet, wipe the skillet well and follow steps #1 and #2 to make the shakshuka sauce, only this time, add the cooked ground meat to the skillet to simmer with the tomatoes for 15 minutes or so before adding the eggs.
- Visit Our Shop to browse quality Mediterranean ingredients including olive oils and all-natural and organic spices used in this recipe.
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Keywords: Easy Shakshuka Recipe, Shakshuka Eggs, Traditional Shakshuka
*This post originally appeared on The Mediterranean Dish in 2017 and has recently been updated with new information and media for readers’ benefit. Enjoy!
Super easy and delicious! I make a similar dish (eggs in purgatory) but this was a wonderful alternative & was a show-stopper at Sunday breakfast. I really liked that there was a ton of veggies in it and how the flavors married together. Definitely adding this into my meal planning rotation!
★★★★★
Awesome!! Thanks for sharing, Andy!
It was delicious!
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Thanks, Lama!
Such an easy recipe to follow and the result is so yummie!!! Will absolutely prepare this again 😋
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Yay! Thanks so much!
My son and me made this, and we loved it. Now he is make it three times a week. (He did add chorizo and bacon for an extra flavor and it was delicious) thank you!
Yum! Thanks for sharing your son’s adaptations!
Is it possible to use canned tomatoes? No matter what the season I can never find good tomatoes at the store!
Hi Leslie, yes canned chopped tomatoes with their juices will work. You will likely need about 1 1/2 or so small cans (the 14-oz kind).
If you can find them, Cento brand canned tomatoes (romas) are good.
SOOOO GOOD. Thank you for this recipe!
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Thanks, Bella!
That’s a beautiful dish!
Loved this recipe Suzy! We had it as an evening meal with a salad and a hunk of homemade bread. What was, even better is my partner made it so I could put my feet up!
★★★★★
That sounds just PERFECT!! 🙂
This recipe is super easy and amazingly tasty! My entire family LOVED it! The flavors compliment each other perfectly. All I kept hearing during our meal was, “Oh my gosh! This is (wonderful), (incredible), (amazing). Thank you! I’ll be making this one a LOT!
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That’s great to hear! Thanks, Carol!
I made this and it was tasty. I had to make some adjustments to recipe. I added smoked paprika and Swiss cheese since feta was not in fridge also used chili powder for my spices. Was very impressive for brinner. Served with fried potatoes and crusty bread. Will make again.
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Thanks for sharing, Brenda! Love hearing how you adapted this recipe
I just made this for breakfast
Super easy
And it turned out great
I love it
Thank you
★★★★★
My pleasure, Ashiq! So glad you love it!
Thank you so much for this delicious recipe!
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My pleasure, Fatima!
As a French Tunisian, Shakshuka (which we called Chachuka), is one of my favorite dishes my grandmother makes. I made yours last night as well as a batch of your pita and tahini sauce, and my mom made some batata harra. Shukran for our second Middle Eastern feast this week!
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Wow! That does sound like an amazing feast! So glad you guys enjoyed the recipes!!
This was so delicious! I can eat it every day! 🤤😍
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Yay! That’s what I love to hear!
I made this today for breakfast and it was FANTASTIC! I chopped the veggies the night before, and putting everything together this morning to cook was super easy. I wish I could attach a photo, it was so beautiful! 🙂 This is 100% going to be a repeat dish in our house. (And I definitely second the recommendation of serving it with Challah bread – it was perfect.)
★★★★★
Awesome! So glad you loved it, Regina!!
When you say tomato sauce do you mean tomato purée or ketchup ?
Hi, Nick! Definitely not ketchup. Here, I can buy actual “sauce” in a can (that is what is says on the label). It is sold in the same area of whole and diced canned tomatoes. If you can’t find that, pureed tomato would be much closer than ketchup. I hope that helps!
Just made this for dinner tonight and my husband and I loved it lots! We’ll be adding this to our regular dinners
★★★★★
Yay! Thanks, Mia!
I made this for breakfast and served it with homemade pita bread (another of Suzy’s recipes). It was very easy and delicious. I’ll definitely be making this again very soon!
Thanks, Dave!
I’ve been eyeing this recipe for awhile..today was the day to try it..changed the spices up a bit and added chopped fresh spinach! Loved it. Even my picky doesn’t try much new food husband liked it even with the eggs, which he is not too fond of..served pan sautéed mixed fresh veggies as the side with nan..yummy
★★★★★
So glad the family liked this one! 🙂