Moroccan Taktouka Recipe (Roasted Peppers Appetizer) - Amira's Pantry (2024)

Taktouka salad is a flavorful dish and an important part of Moroccan cuisine, made with roasted pepper, usually green peppers, fresh tomatoes, garlic, and olive oil. It is amazing how you can make such a delicious cooked salad with very simple ingredients.

I consider Moroccan cuisine to be one of the finest cuisines around the world, it is filled with aromatic and flavorful recipes. If you are not familiar with the Moroccan cuisine, and would like an easy side dish to start exploring the wonderful world of this cuisine, then this recipe is for you. Taktouka is a side dish that is easy to make yet so delicious, can be served warm or cold in hot summer days with some grilled meat, and maybe ... ocean breeze 🌊. Sometimes it's called "Flifla" in the eastern parts of Morocco.

❓Why its a must-try

• A seriously simple and easy recipe made with few ingredients.
• Suitable for vegan, gluten free and low carb/keto diet.
• A great side dish for any main dish you have.

Bell peppers are one of this life's pleasures, and roasting makes them even more delicious. This traditional Moroccan side dish pairs very well with any type of grilled meat or burgers.

📝 Ingredients

Note: This is an overview of the ingredients. You'll find the full measurements and instructions in the recipe card (printable) at the bottom of the page.

• Bell peppers, colorful bell peppers we will need 3.
• Tomato, to make some sauce.
• Garlic, as the basic flavor.
• Olive oil, because it is Moroccan.
• Cumin, cilantro, paprika and an optional pinch of cayenne pepper or chili peppers for heat.

🥄 Instructions

Note: This is an overview of the instructions. The detailed instructions are in the recipe card below.

1. Wash the bell peppers and roast - either in the oven, stove top or in your grill. I roasted mine for 40 minutes in 400F oven until blackened and blistered. Let it cool down, then peel and dice into small pieces.
2. In a non stick skillet over medium heat add oil then saute garlicfor a 30 seconds to a minute.
3. Add diced tomatoes and cook for another 2-3 minutes.
4. Add the roasted peppers and all the spices.
5. Finally add the cilantro, mix well then reduce heat and simmer for 10 more minutes.

👍 Amira's Tips

• Although I love using red peppers for their sweetness but you can use any peppers you like
• You can roast peppers in many ways, my favorite is to pop in the oven for about 40 minutes turning them halfway through.
• Other ways to roast peppers is on a grill pan placed on your stove on medium-high heat, directly on the stove flame if you have a gas stove ( gives a great smoky flavor), on your outdoor grill, air fryer or under the broiler all works fine.

🍽️ Serve with

• Serve taktouka as a dip with Moroccan Bread or Harcha bread.
• You can also save it with pita bread or any crusty bread you have on hand.
• Serve it with a poached egg and some flatbread crackers.

🧺 Storage

Refrigerate: Place leftover taktouka in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 4 days.

Freeze: This recipe freezes very well. Place in a freezer bag or container and freeze for up to 3 months.

Reheating: If frozen let it thaw in the fridge and reheat on stove top on low. You can also leave it on the counter until it comes to room temperature.

• Chermoula, a traditional Moroccan sauce loaded with fresh herbs, earthy spices and deliciousness.
• This quick and easy-to-make creamy Sour Cream Sauce is perfect as a dip or as a foundation for your enchilada casseroles.
• My Cream of Chicken Soup Substitute takes less than 10 minutes and is very easy to make. A healthy alternative to your favorite store-bought can.
• Bruschetta with Balsamic Glaze is an easy appetizer from Italy. Crusty bread slices toasted with garlic and topped with parmesan cheese, diced tomatoes and fresh basil.
• This zesty, bold Italian Olive Salad will give you a taste of the bright flavors of Mediterranean cuisine.

Recipes with Bell Peppers

• Here is a delicious twist on the classic taco recipe to make your taco night more exciting. Taco Stuffed Peppers with a savory filling of seasoned ground beef, beans, and cheese, and topped with your favorite taco toppings.
• If you are looking for more ways to use your bell peppers, try this easy Stuffed Bell Pepper Casserole. It is so delicious.

More Moroccan Recipes

• With just a few key ingredients, you can bring the taste of Morocco to your kitchen with this easy Harira Soup recipe. A filling and warming recipe that you need to try.
• Easy Harissa Recipe made with fresh ingredients and adjusted to your heat level.
• Chebakia is a traditional Moroccan flower shaped sesame cookies that are fried then dipped in honey.

👩‍🏫 My Personal Experience

Morocco, Tunisia and Algeria, I wish to visit that part of north Africa, it is really a shame that I've lived over 30 years in Egypt without visiting these neighboring countries. I had - and still have - a dream since I was a kid, which is to visit every corner, see the people, how do they live, what do they eat, listening to the languages from around the world, the music .... my dream is getting to know the world I am living in.

I get so fascinated when I hear people talk around me in a different language, I try to listen, not that I will understand, but really I like hearing different languages and I often catch myself smiling when I hear people talk in different languages, Spanish, Korean, Russian, Japanese, French ..... and this was my second dream, which is learning every language I can... how cool is that 😎.

Seems that I still have much learning and traveling to do, so until then, I will simply visit the world through my kitchen and today I will get to know the Moroccan culture better through this simple and tasty taktouka. It is said that taktouka is somehow a simple twist to the word shakshouka!!, not sure about that. This recipe is common during the holy month of Ramadan and it is served warm or cold, I've tried it both ways, warm and right out of the fridge and I've found it delicious both ways.

We've had it as a side dish in dinner and as a lunch with some homemade whole wheat crackers - recipe will follow soon, you can also serve with boiled eggs for added protein ... it is really delicious. I hope you'll have some bell peppers to try your hands on this easy Moroccan dish.

We've had it as a side dish in dinner and as a lunch with some homemade whole wheat crackers - recipe will follow soon, you can also serve with boiled eggs for added protein … it is really delicious. I hope you'll have some bell peppers to try your hands on this easy Moroccan dish.

More Appetizers