- Calories:310 kcal
- Protein:18 g
- Carbohydrates:270 mg
- Sugar:600 mg
- Salt:60 g
- Energy:1290 kJ
- Fat:30 g
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1Gather the Ingredients
Gather the necessary ingredients to prepare the dish.
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2Sauté the Onions
Place a medium Dutch oven or another heavy-duty pot over medium heat. Once hot, add oil and onions, and sauté until they start to become translucent, about 2 to 3 minutes.
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3Add the Bell Peppers
Add the bell pepper and sauté until it begins to soften, which should take about 2 minutes.
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4Incorporate Spices and Garlic
Add the garlic, harissa (if using), paprika, cumin, and coriander. Stir and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
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5Add Tomatoes
Add the tomatoes and their juices, crushing them as you go. Stir well and season with salt and pepper to taste.
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6Simmer the Mixture
Bring the mixture to a lively simmer, then reduce the heat to medium-low. Allow it to simmer, stirring occasionally, until thickened and the tomatoes have softened, which should take about 15 minutes.
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7Create Indentations
Create six evenly spaced indentations in the mixture large enough to accommodate the eggs.
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8Crack the Eggs
Crack an egg into each indentation you created.
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9Cook the Eggs
Cover the pan and cook until the egg whites are set and the yolks are at your preferred level of doneness, taking between 5 to 15 minutes depending on your setup.
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10Serve the Dish
Remove from heat, and if desired, sprinkle the top with feta cheese. Garnish with fresh parsley and/or cilantro, then serve.
Shakshuka (also spelled shakshouka) is a dish that originated in North Africa and is enjoyed throughout the region as well as many other parts of the world. The word means "a mixture" in Arabic, but the simple one-pot meal is so much more. Shakshuka consists of eggs gently poached in a spiced tomato and pepper sauce and is equally delicious served at breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Plus, it's ready in just over 30 minutes.
This shakshuka recipe calls for a large can of whole peeled tomatoes since they are available year-round and cook down the evenly to form a sauce. You can swap them for diced tomatoes if desired—the mixture will be a bit chunkier and thinner. There are plenty of ways to make this recipe your own, including adding some spice in the form of harissa or Calabrian chile paste, chile flakes, or cayenne pepper.
For a little added creamy saltiness, sprinkle with feta before serving. Fresh parsley or cilantro (or a mix of both) add a pop of green. No matter how you top it, serve shakshuka with a side of fresh bread or pita for scooping up all of the sauce.
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Raw Egg Warning
Consuming raw and lightly-cooked eggs poses a risk for food-borne illness.
Tips
- If you're not extremely confident in your egg cracking abilities, Gently crack each egg into a small bowl before adding it to the tomato sauce. That way you can fish out any pieces of shell and save any eggs with burst yolks for another cooking project.
- To avoid over-cooking your eggs, keep a close eye on them. The cook time can vary widely so check them often to make sure they are done to your liking.
- Since the tomato sauce is acidic, we don't recommend cooking this dish in a cast-iron pan unless it is extremely well seasoned. Acidic ingredients can break down the finish on the pan, giving the sauce a metallic taste. Enameled cast-iron, stainless steel, non-stick, and other types of pans work well.
Recipe Variations
- Harissa is a North African pepper paste that adds delicious flavor and a kick of heat to this recipe. Instead, you can add an equal amount of Calabrian chile paste or swap for red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper to taste.
- One popular variation is green shakshuka, which is made using spinach. Chorizo shakshuka is a south of the border spin on the dish.
Make Ahead
You can simmer the sauce ahead of time and store it in the fridge for up to three days. Reheat it on the stove before adding the eggs.














