9 Irresistible Reasons This Shakshouka Recipe Will Become Your Go-To Brunch Staple

Authentic Shakshouka Recipe for the Perfect One-Pan Brunch

🍅 Origins & History of Shakshouka

🌍 A Dish Rooted in North Africa

Shakshouka, also spelled shakshuka, traces its origins to the Maghreb region of North Africa, particularly Tunisia and Libya. The name itself means “a mixture” in Arabic, reflecting the hearty blend of poached eggs nestled in a rich, spiced tomato sauce. This flavorful one‑pan dish became a staple due to its simplicity and affordability, making it a favorite among farmers and working‑class families during the 19th century. It wasn’t long before this comforting recipe spread across the Mediterranean.

During the era of the Ottoman Empire, the ingredients used in shakshouka—like tomatoes, peppers, and spices—were widely traded and adopted into many regional cuisines. This helped shakshouka evolve in flavor and preparation across different cultures, while still preserving its essence: eggs poached in a savory, seasoned sauce.

🌍 Global Spread & Top 10 Shakshouka‑Loving Nations

Today, shakshouka is more than just a North African delicacy—it’s a global brunch sensation. Jewish immigrants from North Africa played a pivotal role in introducing and popularizing the dish in Israel, where it’s now a beloved breakfast staple. From there, it expanded to Europe, North America, and beyond, celebrated for both its versatility and satisfying flavor.

Here are the top 10 countries where shakshouka is most popular today:

🇮🇱 Israel
🇹🇳 Tunisia
🇲🇦 Morocco
🇹🇷 Turkey
🇪🇬 Egypt
🇱🇧 Lebanon
🇫🇷 France
🇺🇸 United States
🇬🇧 United Kingdom
🇦🇺 Australia

9 Irresistible Reasons This Shakshouka Recipe Will Become Your Go-To Brunch Staple

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• Author: Donald Anderson
• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

This authentic shakshouka recipe is a rich, one-pan dish of poached eggs in spicy tomato sauce—perfect for breakfast, brunch, or dinner.

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Ingredients

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• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 1 red bell pepper, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp sweet paprika
• 1/4 tsp chili powder (optional)
• 1 can (28 oz) whole peeled tomatoes
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 6 large eggs
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley or cilantro
• Crumbled feta (optional)

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Instructions

1. Sauté the Base
2. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat.
3. Add onion and bell pepper, cook until soft (about 5–7 minutes).
4. Stir in garlic and spices; cook for 1 minute.
5. Add Tomatoes
6. Pour in canned tomatoes with juice.
7. Break tomatoes with a spoon and simmer for 10 minutes.
8. Make Egg Wells
9. Create 6 small wells in the sauce.
10. Crack eggs one at a time into each well.
11. Cover and Cook
12. Cover the skillet and simmer until egg whites are set but yolks are runny (about 5–7 minutes).
13. Garnish & Serve
14. Sprinkle with parsley or cilantro and feta if desired.
15. Serve hot with crusty bread.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Breakfast
• Method: One-pan stovetop
• Cuisine: North African / Middle Eastern

🛠️ Essential Tools & Ingredients for Shakshouka Recipe

👩‍🍳 Must-Have Cookware & Utensils

To make this shakshouka recipe with ease and authenticity, you’ll need a few essential kitchen items:

1. Cast‑iron or nonstick skillet – I prefer cast‑iron for even heat and rustic presentation.
2. Lid – Essential for trapping heat and gently poaching the eggs to perfection in the rich tomato sauce.
3. Wooden spoon or spatula – Ideal for stirring without damaging the skillet’s surface.
4. Chef’s knife & cutting board – For evenly dicing vegetables for the sauce.
5. Measuring spoons and cups – To get spices and liquid proportions just right, ensuring consistent flavor in your shakshouka recipe.

Using the right tools ensures that your shakshouka recipe looks as good as it tastes, and cooks evenly—all in one pan.

🥕 Quality Ingredients for Bold Flavor

When it comes to a standout shakshouka recipe, ingredient quality matters:

• 2 tbsp olive oil – Adds a layer of richness and smooth depth, enhancing the overall flavor of the sauce.
• 1 medium onion, diced, and 1 red bell pepper, diced – For sweetness and texture.
• 2 cloves garlic, minced – Adds aromatic warmth.
• 1 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp sweet paprika, ¼ tsp chili powder (optional) – These spices define the classic flavor profile.
• 1 can (28 oz) whole peeled tomatoes – Crush them by hand for a rustic, well‑bodied sauce.
• Salt and pepper, to taste – Essential seasonings.
• 6 large eggs – Fresh eggs poached to perfection.
• ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley or cilantro – Delivers a bright, herbal finish that lifts the dish with a touch of freshness.
• Crumbled feta (optional) – Adds creamy, tangy contrast to the spicy tomato base.

Using fresh, high‑quality ingredients ensures that each bite of your shakshouka recipe delivers maximum flavor, texture, and visual appeal.

🛒 Explore a healthy twist on shakshouka with this green version from Donald Recipes: Stovetop Green Shakshuka: 7 Delicious Reasons You’ll Fall in Love

🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions for Shakshouka Recipe

🔥 Sauté the Flavor Base

The flavor foundation of your shakshouka recipe starts with this:

1. Warm 2 tbsp of olive oil in a cast-iron skillet over medium heat until it shimmers, creating a flavorful base for sautéing your ingredients.
2. Add 1 diced onion and 1 red bell pepper to the skillet, sautéing for 5–7 minutes until they turn tender and fragrant, releasing their natural sweetness.
3. Stir in 2 minced garlic cloves, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp paprika, and ¼ tsp chili powder. Let the spices bloom for about a minute, stirring gently as their deep, warm aroma fills the air—this marks the flavorful beginning of your rich shakshouka.

This aromatic base is key to an authentic shakshouka recipe.

🍅 Simmer & Poach the Eggs

4. Pour in one 28 oz can of whole peeled tomatoes, then gently break them up with a spoon as they simmer—releasing their juicy richness into the sauce.
5. Simmer uncovered for 10 minutes, deepening the sauce and boosting flavor. Add salt and pepper to taste.
6. Using the back of a spoon, create 6 small wells in the simmering sauce, then carefully crack an egg into each one—nestling them in gently for even poaching.
7. Cover the skillet and let the shakshouka cook for 5–7 minutes, just until the egg whites are set but the yolks remain beautifully runny—perfect for dipping crusty bread. Cook longer if you like firm yolks.

This gentle cooking technique allows the eggs to soak up the rich, spiced tomato sauce, creating the signature harmony of flavors that defines an unforgettable shakshouka.

🌿 Garnish & Serve

8. Garnish your shakshouka recipe with chopped parsley or cilantro, and optionally crumbled feta.
9. Serve immediately with warm bread, pita, or toast.

🛒 Interested in a greener twist? Try Donald Recipes’ Stovetop Green Shakshuka: 7 Delicious Reasons You’ll Fall in Love — a vibrant variation that complements your classic shakshouka recipe perfectly: Stovetop Green Shakshuka

🕒 Timing, Nutrition, and Storage Tips for Shakshouka Recipe

⏲️ Prep, Cook, and Total Time

When planning your shakshouka recipe, timing is one of its key advantages. This one‑pan dish goes from pantry to plate in just about 30 minutes—ideal for busy mornings or impromptu brunches.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Total Time: 30 minutes

From the moment the skillet heats up to your first bite, this shakshouka recipe delivers rich flavors with minimal fuss. That makes it perfect for weekday breakfasts or lazy weekend meals when you want something satisfying but effortless.

📊 Nutrition Snapshot (Per Serving)

This shakshouka recipe doesn’t just taste great—it’s wholesome too. Each serving provides a healthy balance of protein, healthy fats, and carbs:

• Calories: 190
• Fat: 11 oz
• Protein: 10 oz
• Carbohydrates: 12 oz
• Fiber: 3 oz
• Sugar: 6 oz

Eggs provide complete proteins and essential nutrients, while tomatoes and bell peppers bring in antioxidants and vitamins. This makes the shakshouka recipe an excellent option for anyone following a Mediterranean or vegetarian diet.

🧊 Storage Tips for Shakshouka Recipe

To preserve leftovers of your shakshouka recipe:

• Store: Store leftovers in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days to maintain freshness and flavor.
• Reheat: warming gently in a skillet over low heat, allowing the flavors to come back to life without overcooking the eggs.
• Do Not Freeze: Eggs don’t reheat well once frozen—they become rubbery and unpleasant.

🛒 Craving other Mediterranean dishes? Try the Grilled Greek Chicken Gyro Bowl: Healthy Mediterranean Meal Prep Perfection for a protein-packed dish that’s just as easy to prep and delicious to eat.

🧊 Serving and Storage Tips for Shakshouka Recipe

🍽️ How to Serve Your Shakshouka Recipe

The shakshouka recipe is most flavorful when served fresh from the skillet. I recommend using crusty sourdough bread, pita, or challah to scoop up the richly spiced tomato sauce and perfectly poached eggs. Garnish with chopped parsley, cilantro, or crumbled feta for an extra layer of flavor and texture.

Serve it directly in the skillet for a rustic, family-style presentation, or plate individual servings with a wedge of warm bread on the side. A spoonful of Greek yogurt or a drizzle of tahini adds a cool, creamy counterpoint to the warm, tangy sauce—turning your shakshouka recipe into a true brunch centerpiece.

🧊 How to Store and Reheat Shakshouka Recipe

Leftovers? No problem. This shakshouka recipe stores well for short-term meal prep:

• Refrigerate: Transfer leftovers to an airtight glass container and refrigerate for up to 3 days.
• Reheat: Reheat gently in a skillet over low heat to preserve the texture of the eggs. If the sauce has thickened, add a splash of water to loosen it and bring back its silky consistency.
• Avoid Freezing: Eggs can become rubbery and unpleasant when frozen, so skip freezing this one.

This makes the shakshouka recipe a great option for next-day brunch or a savory breakfast you can prep ahead.

🌶️ Creative Shakshouka Recipe Variations to Try

🔥 Spicy Shakshouka Recipe

If you’re a heat lover, turning your classic shakshouka recipe into a spicy delight is easy and satisfying. Simple additions like 1–2 tsp of harissa paste or extra chili powder can quickly elevate the heat. A sprinkle of crushed red pepper flakes also adds warmth without overwhelming the dish.

This fiery twist on the shakshouka recipe is popular in Moroccan and Algerian cuisine, where bold, spicy flavors shine. Top it off with a spoonful of silky yogurt or a splash of fresh lemon juice to gently tame the heat and elevate the dish with a burst of brightness.

🥬 Green Shakshouka Recipe

For a garden-fresh take, try the vibrant green shakshouka recipe. Swap out the traditional tomato base for a vibrant mix of sautéed spinach, kale, and fresh herbs—try a blend of cilantro, dill, parsley, scallions, and green chiles for a bold, green twist. Eggs are still poached in the greens, and finishing it with feta adds a creamy dimension.

This fresh, earthy take on shakshouka is ideal for bright spring mornings or anyone craving a lighter, vegetable-packed start to the day. It remains hearty while feeling fresh and healthy.

Check out Donald Recipes’ detailed version here: Stovetop Green Shakshuka: 7 Delicious Reasons You’ll Fall in Love

🧀 Shakshouka Recipe with Feta

Boost your classic shakshouka recipe by stirring crumbled feta into the sauce before adding the eggs. The cheese melts into the tomato mixture, creating tangy, creamy pockets that beautifully complement the rich sauce and eggs.

This Mediterranean-inspired variation brings the iconic flavors of Greek and Turkish cuisine to your one-pan dish. It’s a simple tweak that adds big flavor and a irresistibly savory finish.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions About Shakshouka Recipe

✅ Conclusion: Why You’ll Love This Shakshouka Recipe

If you’re seeking a dish that blends tradition, nutrition, and comfort in one pan, this shakshouka recipe delivers fully. It’s deeply flavorful, endlessly customizable, and satisfying whether served for breakfast, brunch, or dinner. Plus, it’s naturally vegetarian and fits perfectly into a Mediterranean-style diet.

What makes this shakshouka recipe so special is its versatility. From spicy harissa to green vegetable twists or tangy feta, you can tailor it to your taste with ease. And because it uses pantry staples, it’s a dependable go-to—even on unpredictable days.

So, whether you’re craving a warming skillet breakfast or a cozy brunch dish, this shakshouka recipe belongs on your table.

Looking for another one-pan Mediterranean meal? Try our Roasted Mediterranean Chicken Thighs & Baby Potatoes—a flavorful tray bake bursting with herbs, garlic, and lemon—perfect for an easy and hearty dinner: Roasted Mediterranean Chicken Thighs & Baby Potatoes