Sabich (Aubergine and Egg Pitta)
The beloved Iraqi-Israeli sandwich of soft roast aubergine, boiled egg, salad and tahini sauce stuffed into a warm pitta.
Made with Pickled red onions (cebollas encurtidas) and Tahini sauce. Make a batch of the base first, then this takes minutes. Skip to the method
- Time50 min
- LevelEasy
- Costabout £1.29 a head
- Oven220°C (200°C fan)
Cost is worked out from Aldi and Tesco shelf prices in October 2026. Your shop and brands will differ.
Ingredients
Tick what you need to buy. It goes on your shopping list.
Method
- 1
Heat the oven to 220°C (200°C fan). Lay the aubergine slices on two baking trays, brush both sides with the olive oil and sprinkle with the salt.
- 2
Roast for 25 to 30 minutes, turning once, until deep golden and completely soft.
27 min 30 s - 3
Meanwhile, lower the eggs into a pan of boiling water and simmer for 9 minutes for firm hard-boiled eggs. Cool under cold running water, peel and slice.
9 min - 4
Mix the tomatoes, cucumber and parsley with a pinch of salt. Loosen your ready made tahini sauce (see the base recipe) with cold water so it pours easily.
- 5
Warm the pittas in the oven or a dry pan for 1 minute and cut each open along one side.
- 6
Layer aubergine, egg, salad and pickled red onions (see the base recipe) in each pitta. Add a spoonful of mango chutney, then drizzle generously with tahini sauce and eat straight away.
Tips
- Roasting the aubergine instead of deep frying keeps it light and uses far less oil, with the same silky result.
- Amba is a tangy pickled mango sauce sold in Middle Eastern shops. Mango chutney with a squeeze of lemon is a fine swap.
- Warm the pittas just before filling. Cold pitta tears and can feel dry.
Storing and freezing
Sabich is best eaten at once. Keep roast aubergine and boiled eggs separately in the fridge for up to 2 days and fill fresh pittas when you are ready to eat.
Questions
Is sabich vegetarian?
Yes. It is made with aubergine, egg, salad and tahini sauce, so it is vegetarian. It is not vegan because of the egg, and the pitta contains gluten.
Can I make sabich gluten free?
Yes. Use gluten free pitta or flatbread, or serve everything as a bowl. Check the mango chutney label for gluten as well.
Can I prepare sabich in advance?
You can roast the aubergine and boil the eggs a day ahead and chill them. Warm the aubergine through before assembling so it is soft and fragrant.
More made with pickled red onions (cebollas encurtidas)
Tacos de Camaron a la Diabla (Devilled Prawn Tacos)
DFEFNFPanuchos Yucatecos (Stuffed Fried Tortillas with Chicken)
DFEFNFTacos de Hongos al Pastor (King Oyster Mushroom Pastor Tacos)
DFEFNFHongos a la Diabla (Devilled Mushroom Tacos)
DFEFNFSee every dish made with pickled red onions (cebollas encurtidas)
Double check before you cook. Recipes can contain mistakes. Any diet labels come from the ingredients as written in this recipe and are a guide, not a guarantee. Always check every ingredient and the packet label for allergens and cross contamination, and ask your doctor or dietitian what is right for you, especially with coeliac disease, diabetes or a serious allergy. This is not medical advice.