This article was updated on the 30th of August 2023 for clarity and freshness.
If you’re wondering what to serve with your shakshuka, you’ve come to the right place. In this article, I list 15 of the most popular side dishes for shakshuka.
In a rush? Here’s the short answer.
The best dishes to serve with shakshuka are garlic pita bread, challah, fried halloumi bites, or baked feta. For a lighter side, try lemon arugula salad or roasted eggplants. Serve labneh or pickled beet hummus for a mezze platter effect. For dessert, try fresh fruit salad is perfect.
For each side dish, I’ve provided alternative options to cater to various diets and lifestyles, including vegan, quick and easy, and health-conscious options.
Starchy Sides
These dishes provide a hearty texture that complements the saucy nature of shakshuka. They’re perfect for dipping into the sauce and eggs.
Garlic Pita Bread
5.0 ⭐️ (1 rating) | 5 mins
The most classic and obvious pairing for shakshuka is bread. After all, you need something that can scoop up all the sauce and runny egg yolks.
You could serve plain pita, but brushing it with a garlic-butter mixture really elevates it. And it only takes an extra five minutes.
Still think this jazzed-up pita is too plain? No worries, you can easily add any spice or herbs you like. I personally add a pinch of Italian seasoning blend for a herby kick, but spices like smoked paprika, chili powder, or cumin also work great.
What readers are saying…
“Amazing! Served this as a side to vegetable soup and it tasted great. 100% would make again.”
“Recommend sprinkling the pita with water and toasting slightly to raise the bread before spreading with the ingredients and throwing in a hot oven with mozzarella and Parmesan…or similar hard tasty cheese.”
Deliciously different alternatives…
Creamy Grits
5.0 ⭐️ (52 ratings) | 18 mins
Grits are a humble side that’s tasty, comforting, and easy to make. It’s a breakfast staple, but like shakshuka, you can enjoy them at any time of the day.
It boasts a rich, nutty flavor that pairs perfectly with the savory, spicy notes of shakshuka.
This is a basic recipe from Spend with Pennies, but I like adding shredded cheddar cheese into the mix. Not only does it make the grits even richer, but it also adds a deliciously salty kick.
What readers are saying…
“Simple to follow recipe. Turned out great! Satisfied my southern roots. Load up the butter.”
“Easy to make and he loved it! I used chicken stock instead of water though..”
“My husband LOVES grits!!!! I have never made them with milk and tried this recipe, They were AMAZING and my husband wants me to only make them like this from now on.”
Deliciously different alternatives…
Challah
4.5 ⭐️ (68 ratings) | 4 hrs 15 mins
You can’t have too many bread options to serve with shakshuka, and one of my go-to’s is challah.
It’s a traditional Jewish bread very similar to brioche. It’s sweet and slightly eggy, with a light, airy crumb perfect for soaking up any leftover sauce. And it’s formed into a braid that looks impressive enough to be your table’s centerpiece
Fun fact… challah’s distinctive braid symbolizes love and unity — the more you know!
What readers are saying…
“Perfect recipe and came out great. My Bubbe would have been proud!!!”
“Very easy to make, nice dough to work with, and is delicious.”
“This is a very authentic challah recipe and was absolutely delicious! I really appreciated how specific the directions were.”
Deliciously different alternatives…
Roasted Garlic Parmesan Potatoes
4.9 ⭐️ (14 ratings) | 35 mins
If you’re serving the shakshuka for dinner, you might want a side with a little more substance. And these crispy roasted baby potatoes are perfect for this purpose.
They’re flavorful enough that they’ll hold their own against the spiced shakshuka, but they won’t overpower it. You can even add some bacon bits for some extra smokiness, but I’m quite content with the garlic butter and parmesan cheese.
Serve these spuds on the side or toss them straight into your shakshuka so they get covered with the rich, spiced tomato sauce. Yum.
What readers are saying…
“There were no leftovers, which means the family liked them as well. I was told I’d have to make these again, which I definitely will!!”
“These are amazing….I added some chopped onions when I mixed and I didn’t need the bacon….soooooo delicious.”
“These potatoes were a huge hit in my house! ESP. With my picky eaters. They had so much flavor. They were easy to throw together and I’ll be making again.”
Deliciously different alternatives…
Homemade Gnocchi
4.9 ⭐️ (17 ratings) | 1 hr 10 mins
Gnocchi and shakshuka aren’t a traditional pairing, but they make sense together when you think about it.
The pillowy potato dumplings will perfectly soak up all the goodness from the shakshuka. Plus their iconic ridges help the spiced sauce cling to them better, making each bite extra satisfying.
You can use pre-made frozen gnocchi, but this recipe from Pinch of Yum shows that making these dumplings is easier than you think.
What readers are saying…
“Such a helpful tutorial with pictures! I like the idea of making a party of it and recruiting help to make this.”
“I was inspired to have a gnocchi party of my own last night and it turned out great!”
“This dish was out of this world. I made my own gnocchi with your directions and everything came out great.”
Deliciously different alternatives…
Refreshing Sides
These dishes can balance out the warmth and spice of shakshuka, providing a cool or tangy contrast.
Arugula Salad
4.9 ⭐️ (44 ratings) | 15 mins
If you want something light that still has enough kick to stand out, try this peppery arugula salad.
It’s super easy to prepare, so it’s perfect if you’ve left everything to the last minute. And it boasts a tangy and refreshing flavor, making it an excellent counterpart for the hearty shakshuka.
Recipe creator Julia adds pine nuts to this salad for crunch, but you can easily swap them out for any seed or nut you have on hand. I’ve made this salad with slivered almonds, walnuts, and even sunflower seeds.
What readers are saying…
“It was perfect the first time. Thank you so much for sharing!”
“Lovely salad!”
“This looks absolutely delicious!”
Deliciously different alternatives…
Pickled Beet Hummus
5.0 ⭐️ (3 ratings) | 10 mins
Turn your mezze dreams into reality with this pickled beet hummus recipe. Tangy, bright, creamy, and slightly sweet — that’s how I’ll describe it.
You can serve it as an appetizer with pita chips, or alongside shakshuka. Either way, its vivid pink color will make your plate pop.
And what I love is how easy it is to make, especially if you have a food processor. Chuck everything in and let it blend into a smooth, creamy paste.
Psst… not a fan of pickled beets? Any type of hummus will work!
What readers are saying…
“This is absolutely delicious! I love that it’s such a crowd-pleaser for the whole family.“
“Healthy and delicious, and looks so decorative with that beautiful pink color!”
“This looks gorgeous, definitely a great idea …”
Deliciously different alternatives…
Labneh
5.0 ⭐️ (5 ratings) | 1 day 5 mins
Serving an extra spicy shakshuka? Whip up a batch of labneh to serve on the side.
Labneh is a yogurt-meets-cheese dip that’s creamy and mildly tangy. Your guests can add dollops of it into the shakshuka to help mellow out the heat. And it’s also a great dip for chips, veggies, and bread.
Another thing I love about labneh is its simplicity. You only need two ingredients to make it from scratch and the active work literally takes five minutes. The only catch? You’ll need to let it rest for a day before digging in. It’ll be well worth it, I promise!
What the chef says…
“No matter what, look for Greek, whole milk yogurt. Don’t substitute low-fat or fat-free yogurt in this recipe.”
Deliciously different alternatives…
🌱 Vegan Labneh
🧄 Toum
Fresh Fruit Salad
5.0 ⭐️ (70 ratings) | 20 minutes
Fresh fruit salad is an easy, guilt-free dessert to have after a shakshuka.
And it works whether you’ve served the shakshuka for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.
The vibrant colors make it irresistible — we eat with our eyes first, after all. And it couldn’t be any easier to make because there’s no cooking involved. Chop up the fruits, add them to a bowl, and toss them in the sweet-citrusy honey lime dressing.
And don’t worry if you don’t have all the fruits listed in the recipe. You can use any fruit you have on hand to customize this salad to your preference.
What readers are saying…
“This fruit salad is SOOOOO delicious. It was a hit!”
“The dressing is wonderful, not too sweet and the fresh lime adds such a nice touch and an interesting flavor! I love it! I’ll definitely be making this again.“
“Everyone LOVED this fruit salad, even those who aren’t big honey fans!”
Deliciously different alternatives…
Shaved Fennel Salad
4.6 ⭐️ (18 ratings) | 20 minutes
If you’re not in the mood for leafy greens, give this shaved fennel salad a shot.
The raw fennel bulb has a refreshingly crisp bite on its own, but this recipe takes it up a notch with the addition of apples, capers, lemon juice, and shallots.
This results in a fresh, crunchy side, perfect alongside a dish as hearty as shakshuka.
What the chef says…
“You can plate this whole salad up to a day before and cover it tightly in the fridge, or leave it at cool room temperature for up to a couple of hours. Just hold off on adding the fennel fronds and the flaky salt until right before serving.“
Deliciously different alternatives…
🤩 Shaved Fennel Slaw with Avocado Yogurt Dressing
🇫🇷 Bistro Salad
Savory Accents
These are flavor-packed side dishes that can be enjoyed in smaller amounts. They accentuate the shakshuka with additional richness or a different kind of savory touch.
Fried Halloumi Bites
4.0 ⭐️ (255 ratings) | 35 minutes
Everyone loves halloumi. It’s salty, chewy, and eating it feels like a treat, especially when it’s coated with a seasoned panko and parm mixture that crisps up nicely under high heat.
These oven-fried halloumi bites are served with a unique hot honey sauce, which tastes AMAZING mixed in with the shakshuka.
But you can also use the shakshuka as a dipping sauce. The spicy, lightly tangy notes of the shakshuka pair like a dream with the salty, creamy halloumi — no one will complain.
What readers are saying…
“Sooooo good !! Made this for a Sunday afternoon grazing snack. Perfect with a crisp glass of white wine.”
“I literally just took a bite and said, “Oh my gosh, are you kidding me?!” This is so freaking good!! And easy to make? why I never made this before?”
“Made these at the weekend. Such an easy, delicious recipe.“
Deliciously different alternatives…
Baked Feta with Olives
5.0 ⭐️ (58 ratings) | 25 minutes
Want to really wow your guests? This baked feta with olives will do the trick. Not only does it look impressive, but the combination of flavors is amazing.
The feta brings a delectable creaminess, while the briny olives keep the shakshuka from getting too sweet. This recipe is effortless too, since you only have to combine everything in a baking dish, and the oven does the rest of the cooking.
Serve this baked feta along with some crostinis for dipping, and be prepared for a lot of compliments.
What readers are saying…
“Beautiful flavors and a sophisticated presentation took the atmosphere up a notch. This is an outstanding recipe.”
“This was fabulous. So flavorful and easy! Everyone loved it!”
“I made this and if we weren’t already married, this would have gotten me a marriage proposal!“
Deliciously different alternatives…
Roasted Eggplants
5.0 ⭐️ (81 ratings) | 30 minutes
Turn your shakshuka into a veggie feast by serving these delicious roasted eggplants on the side.
Roasting makes the eggplants tender and creamy on the inside, with charred, caramelized exteriors. This technique also gives them a deeper flavor, so recipe creator Nagi keeps the seasoning simple with the usual salt and pepper. But I like sprinkling the roasted eggplants with freshly chopped thyme for an extra boost.
What readers are saying…
“My husband didn’t think he liked eggplant, but he gave this a ten out of ten. I’ll definitely be making this again.”
“Wow, this was so good! I’ve been looking for an easy eggplant recipe for non-grill season. This was the perfect done-ness without all the oil when frying in the pan.”
“First time eggplant cooker here and we have added this recipe into our monthly rotation of go-tos. So easy and delish!”
Deliciously different alternatives…
Avocado Fries
5.0 ⭐️ (12 ratings) | 29 minutes
If you’ve never tried avocado fries before, you’re missing out!
Love and Lemons uses seasoned panko breadcrumbs to coat the avocado slices before baking under high heat. This technique gives the avocado slices delightfully golden, crisp crusts while keeping the insides oh-so-creamy.
You can use these crispy avocado ‘fries’ as a topping for your shakshuka, but I especially love using them to mop up every bit of that spiced tomato sauce.
What readers are saying…
“Absolutely delicious… They were surprisingly crunchy – I expected them to be softer since it was avocado but the panko definitely did its job.”
“Have never done this with an avocado before, great idea, and would never have dreamed this up on my own, so thank you.”
Deliciously different alternatives…
Falafels
5.0 ⭐️ (333 ratings) | 55 minutes
Want to add more substance to your shakshuka? Look no further than tasty falafels!
These balls are made of chickpeas and herbs, making this an excellent plant-based addition to your shakshuka.
Downshiftology includes three different ways of cooking falafels, and my favorite is the oven method. It’s a hands-free method that still yields crispy falafels, provided you brush them with oil before baking.
What readers are saying…
“I just tried your falafel recipe and it was sensational. They had a slight sweetness to them and were beautifully crisp outside and so full of delicious flavor.”
“This was so easy to follow and so delicious to eat…I made them with my son, and they all finished in ten minutes.”
“This recipe worked perfectly! The most authentic recipe I have tried so far.“
Deliciously different alternatives…
What To Serve With Shakshuka – 15 Best Side Dishes
Ingredients
- 1 portion garlic pita bread
- 1 portion creamy grits
- 1 portion pickled beet hummus
- 1 portion arugula salad
- 1 portion falafels
- 1 portion fried halloumi bites … and more
Instructions
- Prepare your shakshuka according to your favorite recipe.
- In the meantime, choose one of the following sides to serve alongside it!
- Side dishes include: garlic pita bread, arugula salad with lemon, creamy grits, fried halloumi bites, challah, pickled beet hummus, baked feta with olives, roasted garlic parmesan potatoes, labneh, roasted eggplant, and fresh fruit salad.
- Serve immediately and enjoy.
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