Turkey Kefta Mkaouara (Moroccan Meatballs in Tomato with Eggs)
Spiced turkey meatballs simmered in a cumin and chermoula tomato sauce, finished with softly set eggs.
Made with Basic tomato sauce and Chermoula. Make a batch of the base first, then this takes minutes. Skip to the method
- Time50 min
- LevelEasy
- Costabout £1.50 a head
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
Mix the turkey, grated onion, cumin, paprika, cinnamon, half of your ready made chermoula (see the base recipe), 1 teaspoon salt and pepper. Knead for a minute, then shape into 20 small balls.
- 2
Heat the oil in a wide shallow pan or tagine over a medium heat. Brown the meatballs for 6 minutes, turning, until golden all over.
6 min - 3
Pour in your ready made basic tomato sauce (see the base recipe) and stir in the rest of the chermoula. Cover and simmer for 15 minutes.
15 min - 4
Check a meatball is cooked through with no pink. Make 4 gaps between them and crack an egg into each.
- 5
Cover and cook for 5 to 6 minutes until the whites are set.
5 min 30 s - 6
Scatter over the coriander and serve with flatbread or couscous for scooping. Cook the eggs fully for anyone vulnerable.
Tips
- Grate the onion so it melts into the meatballs and keeps the lean turkey moist.
- Wet hands make shaping easier and the balls smoother.
- This is eaten straight from the pan with bread, which suits family sharing.
Storing and freezing
Keep the meatballs and sauce without the eggs in the fridge for up to 3 days or freeze for 3 months. Reheat until steaming hot all the way through.
Questions
What is kefta mkaouara?
A Moroccan dish of spiced meatballs cooked in tomato sauce with eggs poached on top. It is common as a family lunch.
Can I use lamb or beef?
Yes. Beef, lamb or chicken mince all work, and lamb is the more traditional choice.
Is it gluten free?
Yes. There is no breadcrumb in the meatballs, so it is gluten free as long as you serve it with gluten free bread or rice.
More made with basic tomato sauce
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.
