This article was updated on the 28th of August 2023 for clarity and freshness.
If you’re wondering what to serve with your tagine, you’ve come to the right place. In this article, I list 15 of the most popular side dishes for tagine.
In a rush? Here’s the short answer.
The best side dishes for tagine include pomegranate couscous, Moroccan flatbreads, mint tea, and buttered saffron rice. You can also serve dishes such as crusty bread, roasted butternut squash, and tabbouleh salad. Try roasted cauliflower, cucumber raita, or carrot salad for a light accompaniment to a tagine.
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 starchy sides are great for soaking up the delicious sauce and will make your tagine even more comforting. The downside? You might need a nap right after!
Mediterranean Olive Bread
4.5 ⭐️ (141 ratings) | 11 h 25 mins
Crusty bread is perfect for scooping up all the sauces from a tagine, ensuring not a single drop of flavor goes to waste.
Any crusty bread will do, but I think this olive bread’s pops of saltiness really work well with the warm, rich flavors of tagine.
Another thing I love about making this bread is how easy it is. It does need overnight proofing, but there’s no kneading involved. Simply mix all the ingredients, leave the dough to rest, and you’re ready to bake it the next day.
What readers are saying…
“The bread is very good, moist and fluffy. I use 1/3 white and 2/3 whole wheat.”
“Thank you for this wonderful recipe. I’ve made several Dutch Oven boules from it!”
Deliciously different alternatives…
🌾 Seeded Oat Bread
🧘♀️ Homemade Gluten-Free Bread
👩🍳 Kalamata and Castelvetrano Olive Sourdough
Buttered Saffron Rice
Total Time: 25 mins
Buttered saffron rice is a staple side dish for many Moroccan meals. It’ll soak up all the sauce from the tagine, making each bite a delight.
It’s a simple dish, but the saffron infuses the rice with a subtly floral, earthy flavor that helps it hold its own against tagine, but not overpower it. And the butter adds a little bit of richness that’ll help round out the meal.
Psst… What Jessica Baked Next recommends leaving the rice dish to rest for an extra 5-10 minutes to make it fluffier.
What readers are saying…
“This has got to be the most beautiful bowl of rice I’ve ever seen! I always have trouble cooking rice, it’s always too sticky or wet for some reason, but yours looks absolutely perfect!”
“I love the beautiful sunny shade that the saffron gives the rice.”
“Yum! Saffron is one of my favorite spices – I love the mild but special taste and gorgeous color.”
Deliciously different alternatives…
😇 Saffron Cauliflower Rice
💵 Instant Pot Turmeric Rice
🍋 Greek Lemon Rice
Moroccan Flatbreads
5.0 ⭐️ (5 ratings) | 1 h 15 mins
Not a fan of thick, crusty bread slices? Serve your tagine with Moroccan flatbreads instead.
The bread is light and flaky but sturdy enough to hold the meat, vegetables, and sauce from your tagine. It’s also great for mopping up the sauce on your plate.
These flatbreads are best served fresh off the stove, but I like freezing a big batch and just reheating them so I’ll always have them on hand when the cravings hit.
What readers are saying…
“These breads sound so delicious! As great as they are plain, I would have a lot of fun playing with all the different sweet and savory combinations I could think of to fill them with!”
“That looks just wonderful!! Homemade bread is the BEST!”
“Wow! It’s amazing all the things that can be done with yeast, water, flour and oil.”
Deliciously different alternatives…
Focaccia
4.5 ⭐️ (475 ratings) | 1 h 40 mins
I promise this is the last bread side dish, but I just couldn’t resist including focaccia on the list.
This Italian classic is delightfully soft, fluffy, and airy, perfect for mopping up every drop of the tagine’s stew from the plate. Plus, you can customize it to your preference! Some recipes include add-ons like sun-dried tomatoes, caramelized onions, and even potatoes.
But for dishes as flavorful as tagine, I prefer sticking with this classic herby version.
What readers are saying…
“This is my new go-to recipe! It’s so quick and easy which is perfect because I’m terrible at planning ahead so the longer recipes just don’t fit my lifestyle.”
“This recipe is so easy. My first attempt at focaccia for my Italian husband. Tasty and fluffy moist.”
“It was sooo easy to make and absolutely delicious!”
Deliciously different alternatives…
😋 Air Fryer Garden Focaccia
🌱 Almond Flour Focaccia
🧄 Garlic Butter Breadsticks
Mashed Sweet Potatoes
4.9 ⭐️ (157 ratings) | 30 mins
Tagine and sweet potato mash isn’t a traditional combo, but I swear it’s a must-try.The mash’s savory sweetness pairs perfectly with the warm, rich flavors of tagine. Yum!
Cookie and Kate uses sour cream to make this mash silky smooth, but I’ve also tried using Greek yogurt and it worked nicely. The yogurt is a bit healthier than sour cream too.
What readers are saying…
“As others have said, the flavor profile for this is awesome. I roasted my sweet potatoes in the air fryer because I was lazy and didn’t want to boil them, and it turned out amazing.”
“Absolutely delicious! My husband hates sweet potatoes, but he loved these… I’d give it 10 stars if that were a possibility.”
“It was delicious. Made with olive oil instead of butter and dill instead of parsley.”
Deliciously different alternatives…
😇 Vegan Mashed Sweet Potatoes
🧘♀️ AIP Mashed Sweet Potatoes
🥔 Classic Mashed Potatoes
Vegetables
Most tagine recipes already include vegetables, but having more veggies on the side isn’t a bad thing. It’s a tasty way to add a pop of color, texture, and nourishment to your meal.
Roasted Garlic Parmesan Cauliflower
5.0 ⭐️ (120 ratings) | 40 mins
Looking for a side dish that’s both easy to prepare and flavorful? Try these roasted garlic parmesan cauliflower bites.
Cauliflower is a really underrated vegetable in my opinion, and roasting it helps deepen the earthy flavors. Plus, the parmesan cheese coating gives the florets a crispy texture to contrast the tagine’s tender meat and veggies.
Psst… craving a bit of a kick? I’ve tried adding a pinch of red pepper flakes to the breadcrumb and parm mixture and it was delicious.
What readers are saying…
“This roasted garlic parmesan cauliflower is just delicious. Have made it a couple of times. Everyone loves it. Delicious. I’ve made it as an appetizer, and also a side dish.”
“I’d give this a ten if I could. Cauliflower isn’t my favorite vegetable but this was absolutely delicious.”
“Delicious! Especially, when you just dump everything in a big bowl and mix it all up. Works great every time! I make this often. It has become a staple.”
Deliciously different alternatives…
🌿 Steamed Cauliflower with Herbs
😍 Cauliflower Puree
🥗 Creamy Cauliflower Salad
Cucumber Raita
4.9 ⭐️ (10 ratings) | 15 mins
Cucumber raita is normally reserved for spicy Indian curries, but it works really well with a tagine too. It has a bright, tangy flavor that cuts through the bold spices of the tagine, leaving your palates cleansed.
You can serve this immediately, but I prefer letting the raita chill in the fridge for about an hour. This gives a nice temperature contrast to the hot tagine.
Psst… the key with this recipe is squeezing as much moisture as you can out from the cucumbers. This prevents turning your raita watery.
What readers are saying…
“Love this recipe, so simple and yet delicious…”
“This is a lovely cooling side dish to have with spicy food.”
“This is so refreshing, with the beautiful fresh mint and the cucumber.”
Deliciously different alternatives…
Roasted Butternut Squash
5.0 ⭐️ (7 ratings) | 40 mins
Roasted butternut squash is the perfect autumnal side. The high heat helps tenderize the squash and caramelize it, giving it a rich flavor that complements your tagine. And it mixes really well with the veggies you already have in the stew.
Cooking Classy uses whole fresh squash for this recipe, although you could also opt for pre-cut squash to save time. Skip the frozen squash, though — I’ve tried it before and it didn’t roast as well as the fresh one.
What readers are saying…
“I tried this recipe. I’ll be making this again for sure. I made it as the recipe states. The squash ended up being browned very nicely with a buttery, sweet flavor yet no sugar or butter was used.”
“Delicious, quick, and easy! Didn’t use the rosemary as my hubby doesn’t care for it, but kept everything else as is. So good!”
Deliciously different alternatives…
🥗 Butternut Squash, Kale, and Cranberry Salad
😋 Baked Spaghetti Squash with Lemon Garlic Sauce
Parmesan Zucchini Sticks
4.4 ⭐️ (16 ratings) | 40 mins
Normal potato fries and tagine aren’t a match. But that doesn’t mean you have to forget fries altogether. Try these parmesan zucchini sticks instead.
They’re sweet and salty, which pair well with the savory flavors of the tagine. Plus, they’re great for dipping and will make your guests feel like they’re dining in a five-star restaurant.
Lynne from 365 Days of Baking and More uses panko breadcrumbs to get that ultimate crunch factor, but I’ve tried this with cornmeal and it turned out great as well!
What the chef says…
“I’ve made them with just Italian bread crumbs as well, and they were seriously just eh, so decided they needed the Panko to give them that little bit more of a crunch.”
Deliciously different alternatives…
🥕 Sauteed Zucchini and Carrots
🥗 Marinated Zucchini and Red Onions
🍜 Zucchini Noodles
Salads
Tagine can get pretty heavy, with all the meat and the bold spices in it. That’s why you can’t go wrong with serving a salad on the side. And you don’t have to stick with leafy greens either — grain-based salads are just as healthy and light.
Pomegranate Couscous Salad
4.7 ⭐️ (3 ratings) | 10 mins
A pomegranate couscous salad is a must-have with a tagine. The sweet, tart pomegranate arils pair perfectly with the savory spices in the tagine, while the couscous leaves you feeling satisfied without weighing you down.
But what I love about this salad is how easy it is to prepare and how it only requires five ingredients. And as a bonus, it’s ready in 10 minutes.
This salad doesn’t have a dressing because the pomegranates already bring a burst of tartness. But if you still want one, I highly recommend a simple lemon vinaigrette to tie everything together.
What readers are saying…
“Made this for dinner tonight and it was so fresh and tasty. Will definitely make again!”
“Family loves this recipe! So fresh and delicious. I just added some olive oil and salt and pepper.”
Deliciously different alternatives…
⏲ Moroccan Couscous with Roast Vegetables
🥬 Lebanese Couscous with Kale and Lemon Dressing
Carrot Salad
4.9 ⭐️ (12 ratings) | 55 mins
Tagines are often served with lots of different salad dishes for the guests to pick from, and one of the most famous Moroccan salads is a carrot salad.
This recipe involves boiling the carrots until they’re tender but still have a bite, then seasoning them with sweet paprika, sumac, cumin, lemon juice, and olive oil. This blend infuses the carrots with a warm, lightly tangy kick that helps offset the boldness of tagine.
You can serve this immediately, but I like making it ahead of time because this is one of those salads that taste better the next day.
What readers are saying…
“Just made a double batch for Rosh HaShana- it’s one of my favorite salads! I love that you make it a few days in advance…it just gets better!!”
“Very tasty salad 🙂 I love it also as a side dish!”
“What a lovely salad! I love how colorful and fresh it looks, and the spice combo sounds unbelievable amazing.”
Deliciously different alternatives…
🇫🇷 French-style Grated Carrot Salad
🇻🇳 Vietnamese Pickled Carrots and Daikon
🤩 Swede and Carrot Mash
Lemon Quinoa Salad
5.0 ⭐️ (8 ratings) | 50 mins
Lemon quinoa salad is a great side dish for a Moroccan tagine. It’s healthy and bright, but will also make sure no one leaves hungry. The lemon adds just the right amount of tanginess, and the quinoa adds a nutty flavor.
Another great thing I love about this salad is how well it holds up, making it great for meal prep and work lunches. Just remember to leave out the feta and the toasted almonds, and to only add them when you’re ready to eat.
What readers are saying…
“Similar to another reviewer, I make this ahead of time and have it all week for lunch!”
“I know the recipe stresses how important it is to use fresh herbs. I didn’t have any on hand so I used dried mint and dried thyme and it’s still delicious.”
“Delicious! I used spinach and mint and I’m feeling springtime vibes in my mouth.”
Deliciously different alternatives…
🍂 Warm Kale and Quinoa Salad
🍎 Apple Walnut Quinoa Salad
🌷 Spring Quinoa Salad
Tabbouleh
5.0 ⭐️ (44 ratings) | 1 hr
This is the last salad on this list, but perhaps my favorite. Not only does it look vibrant, but it tastes like it too. The combination of mint and parsley gives it an extra refreshing bite, while the bulgur wheat ensures you’ll be satisfied without feeling heavy.
The only downside with this salad is you’ll be doing lots of chopping, from the herbs to the veggies. But one bite of this refreshing salad, and you’ll see it’s worth the effort!
Psst… can’t find bulgur wheat? Couscous also works for this recipe.
What readers are saying…
“This tabouli salad is delicious and super refreshing.“
“It’s so tasty! The tabbouleh salad is one of my favorite recipes.”
“I don’t know why I am so indulged with this recipe. Maybe because of the colors or maybe because I know it will taste so good. Oh I know! It’s because of both.”
Deliciously different alternatives…
🧅 Bulgur Wheat with Caramelized Onions and Parsley
🧘♀️ Shirazi Salad
Drinks and Desserts
Make sure to leave room for desserts and drinks to cleanse your palates of the deliciously rich flavors of tagine!
Mint Tea
Total Time: 10 mins
Mint tea is a staple in Morocco and is served with pretty much everything. Your Moroccan feast wouldn’t be complete without it. The cooling mint will cleanse your palate from the richness of the tagine, and leave you hungry for dessert (more on that below).
Another thing about this drink is it isn’t just like brewing a normal pot of tea. Honestly Yum walks you through the entire experience, which only takes about 10 minutes, but makes a world of a difference.
Pro-tip: don’t forget to raise the pot as you pour the tea in the glass — it’s a small detail, but it gives the drink a distinctive frothy top.
What readers are saying…
“WOW! I have never made tea this way, but it was so delicious I am hungry for more tea recipes.“
“Thank you, this has taken me back to my memories from Morocco, tastes exactly the same as the tea given on the farm in the desert.”
“This tea ( like you said ) is so much more than a beverage; the whole experience is designed to bring people together and SLOW DOWN a bit.”
Deliciously different alternatives…
🧊 Moroccan Mint Iced Tea
🍷 Red Wine Berry Spritzer
🍋 Lebanese Mint Lemonade
Baklava
5.0 ⭐️ (1 rating) | 50 mins
Baklava is my go-to dessert to serve after a tagine meal. I’m always surprised by how many people haven’t tried it, so it’s always an exciting thing to have on the menu.
Plus, each person only needs a small slice, because it’s VERY sweet (but some mint tea helps wash that away!).
This classic dessert takes time to make because you’ll need to let the baklava sit in the syrup for at least 4 hours. I prefer whipping it up the night before, which also allows the baklava to soak up the syrup better.
What readers are saying…
“Without a doubt the best baklava I have ever had, I made this yesterday and my whole family loved it.”
“The quality of the Baklava was very similar to what we find here in the Middle East. But the secret flavoring ingredient in many Baklavas is palm sugar. That is why I used that for this recipe and it yielded very good results.”
Deliciously different alternatives…
🌱 Vegan Baklava
🥰 Pistachio Dessert Bar
🌹 Pistachio Rose Rice Pudding
What To Serve With Tagine – 15 Best Side Dishes
Ingredients
- 1 portion carrot salad
- 1 portion mediterranean olive bread
- 1 portion parmesan zucchini sticks
- 1 portion roasted butternut squash
- 1 portion tabbouleh
- 1 portion mint tea … and more
Instructions
- Prepare your tagine according to your favorite recipe.
- In the meantime, choose one of the following sides to serve alongside it.
- Side dishes include: pomegranate couscous salad, carrot salad, crusty olive bread, lemon quinoa salad, roasted cauliflower, mint tea, buttered saffron rice, cucumber raita, tabbouleh salad, moroccan flatbreads, roasted butternut squash, parmesan zucchini sticks, focaccia bread, and sweet baklava with almonds.
- Serve immediately and enjoy!
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