Main Course · Dinner · African ·

Infused Tunisian Berkoukes with Caramelized Onion and Date

Name: Infused Tunisian Berkoukes with Caramelized Onion and Date
Prep time: 35 min
Cook time: 105 min
Total time: 140 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Main Course
Ingredients: Berkoukes (large grain couscous) or small pasta, 300g; Vegetable broth, 4 cups; Olive oil, 1 tablespoon; Onions, thinly sliced, 2 large; Medjool dates, pitted and chopped, 5-6; Unsalted butter, 2 tablespoons; Brown sugar, 1 tablespoon; Ground cinnamon, 1 teaspoon; Ground coriander, 1 teaspoon; Cumin seeds, 1 teaspoon; Paprika, 1/2 teaspoon; Salt and pepper, To taste; Fresh coriander leaves, chopped; Toasted almond slivers

Infused Tunisian Berkoukes is a hearty pasta dish enriched with the sweet depth of caramelized onions and dates, perfect for a soulful meal.

4.3(163 reviews)

·By Ethan Brooks·January 16, 2026

Infused Tunisian Berkoukes with Caramelized Onion and Date — Main Course served and photographed from above

Prep

35 min

Cook

1 h 45 min

Difficulty

Intermediate

Serves

Ingredients

Servings

Berkoukes Pasta

Caramelized Onion & Date Mixture

Spice Infusion

Garnishing

Nutrition

Per serving

Calories: 509 kcal
Protein: 12 g
Carbs: 94.38 g
Fat: 12.5 g
Fiber: 7.5 g

Whole recipe

Total

Calories: 2037 kcal
Protein: 48 g
Carbs: 377.5 g
Fat: 50 g
Fiber: 30 g

Breakdown by ingredient▾

Ingredient	Cal	P	C	F	Fib
Berkoukes (large grain couscous) or small pasta 300g	1100	36	220	4	10
Vegetable broth 4 cups	40	4	8	0	0
Olive oil 1 tablespoon	120	0	0	14	0
Onions, thinly sliced 2 large	100	2	22	0	4
Medjool dates, pitted and chopped 5-6	400	3	106	0.5	10
Unsalted butter 2 tablespoons	200	0	0	22	0
Brown sugar 1 tablespoon	50	0	13	0	0
Ground cinnamon 1 teaspoon	6	0	2	0	1
Ground coriander 1 teaspoon	5	0	1	0	1
Cumin seeds 1 teaspoon	8	0	1	0.5	1
Paprika 1/2 teaspoon	3	0	0.5	0	0.5
Salt and pepper To taste	0	0	0	0	0
Fresh coriander leaves, chopped	5	0	1	0	1
Toasted almond slivers	100	3	3	9	2

These values are estimates and not dietary advice.

Preparation

Get these tasks done before you start cooking.

Marinating the Dates

1
Mix dates
In a small bowl, mix chopped dates with ground cinnamon and a tablespoon of warm water.
2
Soften dates
Let the mixture sit for at least 15 minutes to soften the dates.
3
Drain excess
Drain any excess liquid before using.

Preparing the Caramelized Onions

1
Heat butter
Heat butter in a skillet over medium heat.
2
Cook onions
Add sliced onions and cook until translucent, about 10 minutes.
3
Caramelize onions
Add brown sugar, stirring constantly until onions are golden brown and caramelized.
Tip: For best flavor, allow the onions to caramelize slowly without rushing the process. Do not leave the onions unattended; stirring frequently prevents burning. Add a splash of water if the onions start to stick, to maintain moisture.

How to Make Infused Tunisian Berkoukes with Caramelized Onion and Date

Total time: 2 h 20 min · Yields 4 servings

1
Prepare Berkoukes
Simmer the Berkoukes in vegetable broth until tender, then drain excess liquid.
2
Integrate onions and dates
Combine caramelized onions and date mixture in a pan, adding cumin seeds and ground coriander.
3
Assemble final dish
Gently mix the Berkoukes with the onion-date-spice blend, season with paprika, salt, and pepper.