The cuisine of Algeria is part of the Maghreb tradition of Northwestern Africa. Algerian food is a mix of various influences, from Berber to Arabic to French to Jewish. Most cooking is centered around spicy couscous which is served with long-simmered meats and stews. Algerian meals are often finished with dates and fresh fruit.
The palette of Algerian ingredients is essentially Mediterranean, including lamb, chicken, tomatoes, olives, peppers, eggplant, lentils, oranges and lemons. Spicy Algerian merguez sausage is famous around the world.
Typical Algerian Dishes
A list of typical Algerian dishes and foods. Use it to help you plan a Algerian-style meal, party or festival.
Appetizers
- Bourek (Beef-stuffed phyllo pastries)
- Mslalla (Marinated olives)
Soups and Stews
- Shorba’dess (Lentil soup)
- Shorba Hamra (Spicy vegetable soup)
- Djouaz el Hummus (Chickpea soup)
- Harira (Ramadan stew)
- Loubia b’Dirsa (White bean stew)
- Shorba (Lamb stew)
Salads
- Badendjal (Roast eggplant salad)
- Shlada Felfel (Tomato and green pepper salad)
- Shlada Fakya (Fruit salad)
- Shlada bel Clementinas (Orange and onion salad)
Eggs and Dairy
- Chakchouka (Eggs with peppers and tomatoes)
- Iben (Buttermilk)
- Kefir (Thin yogurt beverage)
Pasta
- Bissar (Couscous with chicken and dried vegetables)
- Couscous, or Seksu (North African pasta)
- Seksu bil Khodra (Couscous with seven vegetables)
Poultry
- Bissar (Couscous with chicken and dried vegetables)
- Djej bil Qara (Chicken with pumpkin)
- Djej bil Qasbour (Coriander chicken)
- Djej M’fouar (Steamed chicken)
Meats
- Brochettes (Kebabs in spicy sauce)
- Bussu la Tmessu (Lamb with stuffed dates)
- Kofta (Spiced meatballs)
- Lahm bil Zitoun (Lamb with olives)
- Lahm Lhalou (Lamb stewed with prunes)
- Marqa bil-‘asal (Lamb with raisins and honey)
- Merguez (Lamb sausage)
- Mderbel ‘Qarnoun (Lamb and artichoke stew)
Fish and Seafood
- Seksou bil Hout (Fish couscous with a red sauce)
Vegetables and Beans
- Chakchouka (Eggs with peppers and tomatoes)
- Dess bil Besla (Lentils with onions)
- Loubia B’Dersa (Spiced beans with tomatoes)
- Loubia Khadra Marqa (Green beans with lamb)
- Mderbel Qar’a (Zucchini stew)
- Ros Bratel (Favas in sauce)
- Sabnakh bil-zitun (Spinach with olives)
- Seksu bil Khodra (Couscous with seven vegetables)
- Za’luka (Eggplant ratatouille)
Breads and Grains
- Kesra (Semolina bread)
- Khobz Araby (Pocket bread)
- Khobz Eddar (“Home” bread)
Sauces and Condiments
- Harissa (North African spice paste)
- Zalouk (Eggplant and tomato condiment)
Pickles and Preserves
- Felfel (Nut-stuffed peppers preserved in olive oil)
Desserts
- Dates
- Ghribia (Sugar cookies)
- Khobz Mbesses (Semolina cake)
- Makroud el Louse (Almond cookies)
- Rfis Tmer (Date candy)
Beverages
- Acir (Citrus beverage)
- Café (Coffee)
- Khchaf (Fruit drink)
Algerian Recipes
Try these recipes from the country of Algeria.
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