Home » What to Serve with Shakshuka: 21 Perfect Side Dishes

What to Serve with Shakshuka: 21 Perfect Side Dishes

Shakshuka, a flavorful North African and Middle Eastern dish, never fails to delight. Whether you’re enjoying it for breakfast or making it the centerpiece of your Sunday brunch or dinner, it’s versatile enough to pair with various sides. 

Let’s have a look at what this healthy meal is. And if you are wondering what to serve it with, I have 21 healthy and delicious sides to pair with Shakshuka. Let’s dive in! 

A pan of shakshuka with poached eggs, tomatoes, and herbs, garnished with fresh parsley. A wooden spoon rests in the pan. Wondering what to serve with shakshuka? Two small plates hold servings of the dish accompanied by pieces of bread on a light-colored surface.

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What is Shakshuka?

This Middle Eastern (and parts of North Africa) traditional dish combines poached eggs with a spiced tomato sauce, often made in a large skillet and served with crusty bread, warm pita, or even gluten-free bread.

The tomato sauce is packed with flavors from cumin, chili, and red pepper flakes, making it a flavorful dish with a slight kick. The runny yolks of the eggs create a rich texture, perfect for scooping up with your favorite bread.

Shakshuka is so versatile, and many variations exist, from green shakshuka made with leafy greens like spinach and kale to the Turkish Menemen, which includes bell peppers and onions, often served with a sprinkle of feta cheese for extra flavor.

For healthy versions loaded with protein, check out my Shakshuka with Ground Turkey or Shakshuka With Argentinian Prawns. They are both finger-licking good and easy to make.

Now, let’s look at some of the best side dishes to complement your Shakshuka!

Healthy Potato And Starches

1. Cumin Roasted Sweet Potatoes
These cumin-spiced sweet potatoes are a wonderful contrast to the spicy tomato sauce of Shakshuka and their natural sweetness balances the bold flavors of its spices. Plus, they make an excellent addition to your breakfast or brunch table, or make it for dinner!
Cumin Roasted Sweet Potatoes
Roasted sweet potato cubes seasoned with spices and garnished with fresh cilantro.
2. Baked Za’atar Fries with Feta
Za'atar fries are a flavorful twist on traditional fries, featuring a mix of herbs like thyme, oregano, and sesame seeds, topped with crumbled feta cheese. These crispy fries make a fun side for dipping into shakshuka’s flavorful tomato sauce.
Baked Za’atar Fries with Feta
Homemade potato wedges topped with feta cheese and parsley.
3. Quick and Easy Garlic and Turmeric Rice
This garlic and turmeric rice offers a rich golden color and a warm, earthy flavor. The subtle garlic notes enhance the Middle Eastern dish without overpowering the spicy tomato sauce.
Garlic And Turmeric Rice Recipe
Seasoned yellow rice, garnished with small onion pieces.
4. Air Fryer Potato Cubes
Crispy and flavorful, these air fryer potato cubes are seasoned with smoked paprika and garlic powder, making them an excellent side dish to complement the rich tomato sauce and poached eggs in your shakshuka.
Air Fryer Potato Cubes
Photo credit: Bites Of Wellness
Golden-brown roasted and seasoned potato cubes.
5. Lentil Flatbread
This gluten-free, soft flatbread is a great addition. It’s easy to make and perfect for scooping up shakshuka's tomato mixture and soaking up the flavorful sauce. Plus it's made with red lentils to add an extra touch of plant-based proteins. 
Lentil Flatbread
Photo credit: Bites Of Wellness
Tostada topped with hummus, sliced veggies and chopped onions.
6. Sourdough Naan
Sourdough naan is an excellent soft bread choice for dipping. It's tangy flavor complements the savory flavors of the shakshuka spices and veggies, making each bite more satisfying. 
Sourdough Discard Naan
Photo credit: Gastronotherapy
A wooden board displays freshly cooked flatbreads sprinkled with chopped herbs.
7. Homemade Pita Bread
Freshly baked pita bread is always a winner when served with shakshuka. Its softness and ability to hold up to the tomato sauce make it an ideal companion for dipping or wrapping up the eggs and sauce.
Homemade Pita Bread Recipe
Photo credit: Organized Island
A stack of homemade pita breads on a white plate.
8. Easy Garlic Crostini with Olive Oil
A classic side, these easy garlic crostinis are easy to make. Made with a drizzle of olive oil and a sprinkle of garlic, they add a crisp texture and a burst of flavor that complements the savory simmering sauce of shakshuka.
Easy Garlic Crostini With Olive Oil
Photo credit: My Chef’s Apron
Garlic crostini topped with minced garlic and garnished with fresh thyme leaves.

My Favorite Protein-Centric Sides

9. Easy Crispy Middle Eastern Spatchcock Chicken
If you're looking for something more substantial to pair with shakshuka, this spatchcock chicken is a great option. It’s crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside, flavored with Middle Eastern spices that complement the tomato base.
Middle Eastern Spatchcock Chicken
Pieces of seasoned roasted chicken arranged on a white oval plate.
10. Baked Middle Eastern Salmon with Homemade Za’atar
This baked salmon, seasoned with homemade za’atar, is another great pairing option and adds a protein-centric element to your dinner table. The flaky, tender salmon works wonderfully with the spiced tomato sauce, and the fresh herbs add a burst of flavor to the meal.
Baked Middle Eastern Salmon
Salmon fillet topped with sliced red onions, lemon wedges, cherry tomatoes and spices.
11. Steak Bites with Easy Garlic Sauce
For another hearty and protein-rich side dish, try these steak bites paired with an easy-to-make garlic sauce. The tender steak and its garlicky flavors offer a satisfying contrast to the shakshuka’s spices. It's an unconventional match but tastes so good.
Mediterranean Steak Bites Garlic Sauce
Cooked beef cubes garnished with chopped parsley.
12. Baked Spinach Feta Empanadas with Ground Chicken
Empanadas are a fun twist to serve alongside shakshuka, with the spinach, feta, and ground chicken filling adding a rich, savory touch to the meal. Perfect for dipping into the sauce!
Empanadas with Ground Chicken
Golden-brown empanadas stacked on a beige plate.

Delicious Salads, Hummus And Spreads

13. Simple and Creamy Hummus
A classic Mediterranean side, hummus pairs wonderfully with just about anything. Creamy and rich, it enhances this Middle Eastern national dish with its tangy flavor, and it’s great for spreading on warm pita or fresh bread.
Arabic Hummus Recipe
Photo credit: Simple And Fraiche
Creamy hummus, drizzled with olive oil and garnished with parsley.
14. Quinoa Tabbouleh Salad with Chickpeas and Avocado
A light, refreshing salad like this gluten-free quinoa tabbouleh contains the perfect texture to complement hearty shakshuka. The chickpeas and avocado add a creamy texture that works well with its mediterranean flavors.
Quinoa Tabbouleh with Chickpeas and Avocado
Photo credit: Gastronotherapy
A bowl of quinoa salad with cherry tomatoes, chickpeas, asparagus, and slices of avocado.
15. Roasted Veggie and Quinoa Salad
Easy to make with healthy ingredients, this salad contains roasted vegetables and nutty quinoa creating a wholesome side that complements the shakshuka perfectly.
Roasted Vegetable Quinoa Salad
Photo credit: Lauren’s Latest
A colorful quinoa salad with roasted red peppers, corn, carrots, and asparagus.
16. Mediterranean Freekeh Salad
A hearty, fiber-rich, and grain-based salad with fresh vegetables and herbs balances the tomato and egg-based flavors. The earthy freekeh works beautifully with the tangy tomato sauce and poached eggs, making a satisfying dinner.
Mediterranean Freekeh Salad
Photo credit: Savor the Best
A bowl of sliced chicken, brown rice, olives, and veggies topped with creamy dressing.
17. Low-Prep Brown Rice Quinoa Salad
This easy-to-make salad combines the goodness of brown rice and quinoa, creating a hearty base packed with fiber and protein. It’s a great healthy option to serve alongside shakshuka and is satisfying and filling.
Low Prep Brown Rice Quinoa Salad
Photo credit: Bucket List Tummy
Salad featuring chickpeas, arugula, red peppers, cucumber, corn, and nuts.
18. Vegan Couscous Salad
This delightful side is light yet satisfying. Packed with fresh vegetables and roasted chickpeas, it adds a refreshing crunch that complements the savory shakshuka, with the couscous absorbing all its wonderful flavors.
The Best Vegan Couscous Salad
Photo credit: Bucket List Tummy
A colorful vegetable salad in a glass bowl with quinoa.
19. Spinach Avocado Hummus
This creamy spinach avocado hummus is a fun twist on the classic dip. The rich avocado and fresh spinach create a healthy, nutrient-dense option to pair with your shakshuka. 
Spinach Hummus Recipe
Photo credit: Pip And Ebby
A bowl of green hummus garnished with chopped chives and a drizzle of olive oil.
20. Best Chopped Salad Recipe
Packed with various fresh vegetables and dressed in a tangy vinaigrette, this salad makes an excellent side dish. The crunch of the veggies and the bold, bright flavors offer a nice contrast to the rich, spicy tomato sauce of the shakshuka. The pairing is simply delicious and nutritious.
Classic Chopped Salad Recipe
Photo credit: Pip And Ebby
A colorful salad in a red bowl features mixed vegetables, nuts and cranberries.
21. Mediterranean Mezze Platter with 7 Easy Recipes
A Mediterranean mezze platter is the ultimate choice when serving shakshuka. It offers a variety of small dishes that perfectly complement the meal. Make your Middle Eastern dish the centerpiece of this beautiful charcuterie board for a memorable dinner.
Grazing Board With 7 Antipasto Ideas
Photo credit: My Chef’s Apron
A colorful spread of food items arranged on a wooden board.

Here you have it: 21 amazing sides that complement the texture and flavors of this delicious North African and Middle Eastern dish. All you need to do is pick your favorite! Enjoy!

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