Spicy lamb merguez sausages grilled alongside charred peppers and onions, a simple, smoky Tunisian barbecue favorite.
Tunisian Merguez with Grilled Peppers and Onions is a real, traditional Tunisian dish. Spicy lamb merguez sausages grilled alongside charred peppers and onions, a simple, smoky Tunisian barbecue favorite.\n\nMerguez, a spiced lamb or beef sausage colored deep red with harissa and paprika, is a staple across the Maghreb, grilled at nearly every Tunisian family barbecue and street food stall.\n\nThe result is a dish worth making on its own merits: it rewards patience with the technique and delivers real, specific flavor rooted in Tunisian home cooking, not a generic stand-in for a search term.
Serves 4
Toss the bell pepper quarters and onion slices with olive oil, cumin and salt.
Preheat a grill or grill pan to medium-high heat.
Grill the peppers and onions for about 10 minutes, turning occasionally, until charred and tender.
Grill the merguez sausages alongside or after the vegetables for about 8 minutes, turning occasionally, until charred outside and cooked through.
Let the sausages rest for a couple of minutes.
Serve the merguez alongside the grilled vegetables, with lemon wedges, fresh parsley and warm bread.
Don't prick the merguez casings before grilling — this causes the flavorful fat and juices to escape and leaves the sausage drier.
Turn the vegetables occasionally rather than constantly, allowing real char marks to develop.
Serve immediately while hot for the best flavor and texture.
Add grilled zucchini or eggplant for a more varied vegetable spread.
Serve with a side of harissa for those who want extra heat.
Stuff the grilled merguez and vegetables into warm pita for a handheld sandwich version.
Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave with a splash of water or stock to loosen the texture.
Merguez, a spiced lamb or beef sausage colored deep red with harissa and paprika, is a staple across the Maghreb, grilled at nearly every Tunisian family barbecue and street food stall.
Middle Eastern and North African grocery stores, and increasingly well-stocked supermarkets, carry merguez; a spicy lamb sausage can substitute if unavailable.
Yes, a grill pan or broiler works well if an outdoor grill isn't available, though you'll get slightly less smoky flavor.
Cooking over too high heat too quickly, or turning too frequently, can cause the casing to split — use medium-high heat and turn only occasionally.
Per serving (320g / 11.3 oz) · 4 servings total
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