What Does Shakshuka Taste Like?

Last Updated on May 24th, 2023

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 Shakshuka is a popular dish in the Middle East and North Africa. It’s made with eggs and tomatoes, and it’s often served at breakfast. But what exactly does this unique recipe taste like? 

If you’re curious about trying shakshuka, read on to learn everything you need about this traditional dish!

Shakshuka with some Coriander leaves on it

How Would We Describe Shakshuka?

In North America, we consider it like a mess of eggs drenched in tomato sauce. Instead, think of it like sunny fried eggs in tomato sauce, without frying them.

It can also be mistaken for an eggy tomato dish, so based on that, it can be pretty tasty!

 

Is it Spicy?

The spice level of shakshuka depends on how you make it. It’s a tomato sauce with a variety of spices, and the recipes vary from mild to spicy depending on what kind of chilies or peppers are used. 

Some recipes use cayenne pepper, others use paprika, and still others use fresh jalapenos or dried chilies. If you’re feeling adventurous, try some new flavors!

 

Should You Eat it By Itself?

It depends on the portion size. If you are just making it as a side dish, you’ll want to have some bread with it to soak up the interesting and tasty sauce. 

The egg yolks will be runny and delicious, but so much of their flavor will be lost if they don’t get mixed into the sauce, and that means dipping bread into them.

Asking for cutlery when eating shakshuka is like asking for a fork when eating ice cream or asking for chopsticks when eating sushi. Just not necessary!

 

Is it a Side Dish?

People often confuse shakshuka as a main dish because it has eggs in it. In fact, it’s commonly served as a side dish. 

The most common way to serve shakshuka is with bread or some other type of carbohydrate on the side, like rice or couscous.

Some people like to eat shakshuka for breakfast; others prefer to wait until dinnertime rolls around so they can enjoy it with their meal instead of just as an appetizer before they begin cooking up whatever else they might have planned for the day (or week).

 

Can You Make it On Your Own?

Yes, it’s a recipe that anyone can make at home! Making shakshuka is pretty simple, and it’s fun to use up some of the veggies in your fridge. Here’s what you’ll need:

 

  • Five eggs

 

  • 1/2 cup diced tomatoes (or canned tomatoes)

 

  • 2 tsp olive oil or butter

 

  • 1 tsp dried oregano (optional)

 

Mix together all of these ingredients and pour them into an oven-proof skillet with a lid. Bake at 350 for about 30 minutes before serving!

If you don’t have any crushed red pepper flakes lying around, just add some ground black pepper instead. That will work just fine. 

It’s important not to cook this dish longer than 35 minutes because then your eggs might get overcooked and rubbery while still having liquid yolk inside them! 

Cooking times vary depending on how much sauce there is in each individual pan. Make sure not too much water evaporates away before adding more tomatoes so as not to dilute flavors too much.

 

Final Thoughts on What Does Shakshuka Taste Like

We’re glad that you’ve read this post because it means you are interested in trying a unique dish. If done properly, it is quite delicious. 

It’s the perfect side dish to make with any mains you may be making, whether it’s breakfast or dinner! 

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