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Chunks of fried eggplant, green peppers and tomatoes are piled in a shallow serving dish and coated in a glossy red tomato sauce, with soft edges and visible pieces of vegetable beneath the sauce.
●Low GI

Saksuka Calories

Traditional Turkish meze of fried vegetables (eggplant, zucchini, peppers) in tomato sauce.

In season: Summer · Autumn

CALORIES

110kcal

GI

35low

POTASSIUM

220mg

FIBER

2.8g

Quick answer

1 serving (medium) of Saksuka (120 g) has 132 calories. That works out to 110 calories per 100 g. It contains 12.6 g of carbs, 1.9 g of protein, 8.6 g of fat and 3.4 g of fiber. Its 384 µg of Vitamin A covers 43% of the Daily Value. Its glycemic index is 35 (low), so it raises blood sugar slowly.

What is Saksuka?

Saksuka is a Turkish meze made with fried eggplant and, depending on the recipe, zucchini and peppers, tossed in a tomato sauce. The vegetables turn tender while the glossy sauce is gently sweet and tangy. In Turkey it is commonly served cool or at room temperature as part of a spread, often with bread; it also works as a side dish. Beyond Turkey, it makes an easy vegetable dish to share or serve alongside grilled foods.

The vegetables contribute fibre, while frying adds much of the dish’s energy; a 100 g portion has about 110 calories. For a lighter version, roast the vegetables with a little oil before coating them in the sauce.

Saksuka Nutrition Facts

Selected: 100 g

110

KCAL / 100G

Carbs

10.5g

· 4% DV

Protein

1.6g

· 3% DV

Fat

7.2g

· 9% DV

Fiber

2.8g

· 10% DV

DV is the share of the daily value covered, on a 2,000 kcal reference diet.

Calories come from: Carbs 37% · Protein 6% · Fat 57%

Saksuka Vitamins & Minerals

Vitamins

Vitamin A

320µg · 36% DV

Vitamin C

13mg · 14% DV

Vitamin E

1.1mg · 7% DV

B5

0.28mg · 6% DV

Minerals

Sodium

180mg · 8% DV

Iron

1mg · 6% DV

Potassium ⭐

220mg · 6% DV

Magnesium

16mg · 4% DV

How Nutritious Is Saksuka?

Nutrient density

High

60/ 100

How many vitamins, minerals and how much fiber this food carries per calorie. A high score means a lot of nutrition for few calories.

Satiety score

Medium

45/ 100

An EatBetter score computed from fiber, protein and calorie density. A high score means staying full longer on the same calories.

Both scores are calculated per 100 g and do not change with the selected portion. The satiety score is EatBetter's own calculation, not a clinical measure.

Saksuka Glycemic Index

GLYCEMIC INDEX

35
Low
0 Low5570100

GLYCEMIC LOAD

4
Low

Accounts for portion size — a more realistic measure than GI alone.

How to Burn Off Saksuka

To burn the 110 calories in 100 g:

🚶

27min

Walking (5 km/h)

🏃

11min

Running (8 km/h)

🚴

15min

Cycling

🏊

13min

Swimming

Times are calculated with the MET equation for a 70 kg adult. Actual burn varies with your weight, age and pace.

Is Saksuka Processed?

NOVA 2

Minimally Processed

1. Unprocessed

2. Minimally Processed

3. Processed

4. Ultra-Processed

NOVA classifies foods into 4 groups by industrial processing. NOVA 1 (unprocessed) is the healthiest.

Does Saksuka Contain Allergens?

No known major allergens

Gluten free
Dairy free
Eggs free
Peanuts free
Tree nuts free
Fish free
Soy free
Sesame free

Which Diets Is Saksuka Good For?

Vegan

✓ Suitable

Vegetarian

✓ Suitable

Gluten-Free

✓ Suitable

Dairy-Free

— Not suitable

Mediterranean

✓ Suitable

Paleo

— Not suitable

Whole30

— Not suitable

DASH

— Not suitable

Keto

— Not suitable

Low FODMAP

— Not suitable

Saksuka Fat Profile

SATURATED

1.1g

MONOUNSATURATED

4.2g

POLYUNSATURATED

1.3g

⚖️

Omega 6:3 ratio 30:1

Above the ideal 4:1 (30:1).

Compare Saksuka

🍆🍅vs🍅
Saksuka vs Tomato92 kcal more per 100 g
→
🍆🍅vs🥗
Saksuka vs Mixed Green Salad92 kcal more per 100 g
→
🍆🍅vs🫑
Saksuka vs Red Pepper79 kcal more per 100 g
→
🍆🍅vs🥄
Saksuka vs Boiled Beetroot66 kcal more per 100 g
→

Foods Similar to Saksuka

🍅

Tomato

18 kcal

🥗

Mixed Green Salad

18 kcal

🫑

Red Pepper

31 kcal

🥄

Boiled Beetroot

44 kcal

🫑

Green pepper

20 kcal

🥗

Potato Salad

110 kcal

🥗

Arugula

25 kcal

🥕🥦🍆

Oven-Roasted Mixed Vegetables

65 kcal

Frequently Asked Questions About Saksuka

What is Saksuka?

Saksuka is a Turkish vegetable meze, usually made with fried eggplant, zucchini and peppers covered in tomato sauce. It is commonly served at room temperature or chilled, rather than as an egg dish.

How do you make Saksuka?

To make Saksuka, cut the vegetables into bite-size pieces and fry them separately until tender and browned. Spoon over a tomato sauce seasoned with garlic, then let the dish rest so the vegetables take on the sauce.

What vegetables go into Saksuka?

Eggplant is the usual centerpiece of Saksuka, often joined by zucchini and green peppers; tomatoes form the sauce. Home recipes vary, so some leave out zucchini or add onion or garlic, but fried vegetables define the dish.

Is Saksuka the same as shakshuka?

No. Turkish Saksuka is a meze of fried vegetables in tomato sauce, while shakshuka usually refers to eggs cooked in a spiced tomato-and-pepper sauce. The similar names can cause confusion, but they are different dishes.

Is Saksuka served hot or cold?

Saksuka is usually served chilled or at room temperature. Resting it before serving gives the tomato sauce time to flavor the fried vegetables, making it a practical make-ahead dish for a meze spread.

How do you stop eggplant in Saksuka from absorbing too much oil?

Dry the eggplant well after cutting and fry it in properly heated oil to reduce oil absorption. Avoid crowding the pan, and drain the cooked pieces on paper towels before adding the tomato sauce.

Can you bake the vegetables for Saksuka instead of frying them?

Yes, you can roast the vegetables for Saksuka with a light coating of oil, then mix them with tomato sauce. The result is less oily, but the vegetables will have a different texture from the traditional fried version.

What do you serve with Saksuka?

Serve Saksuka with bread, rice or yogurt, or include it alongside other cold mezes. Bread is especially useful for scooping up the tomato sauce, while a larger meze spread can pair it with salads and dips.

How long does Saksuka keep in the refrigerator?

Saksuka keeps for about three days in a covered container in the refrigerator. Refrigerate it once it has cooled, and serve portions with a clean utensil rather than leaving the whole dish out for a long meal.

Can you freeze Saksuka?

Yes, Saksuka can be frozen in an airtight container, though the vegetables may turn softer after thawing. Freeze it in meal-sized portions and thaw in the refrigerator; its texture is best when freshly made.

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Nutrition data compiled from USDA FoodData Central and scientific sources.