Is Shakshuka Vegetarian or Vegan? (Eggs in Tomato Sauce)
Is Shakshuka Vegetarian or Vegan? (Eggs in Tomato Sauce)
Shakshuka is eggs poached in a spiced tomato-and-pepper sauce, and the sauce is vegan while the eggs are not. Here is what makes it vegetarian and how to find the vegan version.
Key Takeaways
- Shakshuka is vegetarian but not vegan.
- The tomato-pepper sauce and spices are vegan; the eggs are not.
- A “vegan shakshuka” uses tofu or chickpeas instead of eggs.
- It is popular across North Africa and the Middle East, often served with bread.
TL;DR: Shakshuka is vegetarian but not vegan: it’s eggs poached in a spiced tomato-and-pepper sauce. The sauce itself is vegan; the eggs are not. A “vegan shakshuka” uses tofu or chickpeas instead.
What’s in shakshuka
- Tomatoes, peppers, onion, garlic, chili: the sauce (vegan).
- Spices: cumin, paprika, coriander (vegan).
- Eggs: poached in the sauce (vegetarian, not vegan).
Popular across North Africa and the Middle East, it’s often served with bread.
The vegan version
“Vegan shakshuka” swaps the eggs for silken tofu, chickpeas or a plant-egg substitute, keeping the same spiced tomato base.
The bottom line
- Vegetarian? Yes.
- Vegan? Only the tofu/chickpea version (no eggs).
See our Shakshuka dish guide for the full breakdown.
Check before you eat. The Verify Veg app scans a barcode or reads an ingredient list from a photo and flags ingredients against your diet (vegan, vegetarian, halal, kosher, Jain and more). Download on the App Store - Android is coming soon.
Written by Samir Narain, founder of Verify Veg. Verify Veg helps people check packaged food against their diet by scanning barcodes and reading ingredient lists from photos.
Note: Verify Veg provides ingredient-based compatibility checks, not certification. Recipes and preparations vary by restaurant, region and cook, so always confirm with the restaurant, brand or vendor.