Main Course · Dinner · African ·

Scrumptious Tunisian Lamb Ojja with Harissa Peppers

Name: Scrumptious Tunisian Lamb Ojja with Harissa Peppers
Prep time: 35 min
Cook time: 105 min
Total time: 140 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Main Course
Ingredients: 1 lb lamb shoulder, Cut into 1-inch cubes; 2 cloves garlic, Minced; 1 tsp ground cumin; 1 tsp ground coriander; 1 tbsp olive oil; Salt and pepper, To taste; 2 tbsp olive oil; 1 large onion, Finely chopped; 2 cloves garlic, Minced; 2 red bell peppers, Sliced thinly; 1 tbsp harissa paste; 2 tsp tomato paste; 1 cup canned tomatoes, Crushed; 1/2 cup water; 1 zucchini, Diced; 1 eggplant, Diced; Salt and pepper, To taste; Fresh parsley, Chopped; Lemon wedges

Dive into this wholesome and aromatic Tunisian dish, perfect for warming up those cool evenings with its hearty blend of lamb, vegetables, and spices.

4.1(58 reviews)

·By Ethan Brooks·January 11, 2026

Scrumptious Tunisian Lamb Ojja with Harissa Peppers — Main Course served and photographed from above

Prep

35 min

Cook

1 h 45 min

Difficulty

Intermediate

Serves

Ingredients

Servings

For the Lamb Marination

For the Ojja Sauce

For the Vegetables

For Garnishing

Nutrition

Per serving

Calories: 396 kcal
Protein: 23.9 g
Carbs: 17.9 g
Fat: 27.9 g
Fiber: 3.8 g

Whole recipe

Total

Calories: 1585 kcal
Protein: 95.6 g
Carbs: 71.5 g
Fat: 111.6 g
Fiber: 15.3 g

Breakdown by ingredient▾

Ingredient	Cal	P	C	F	Fib
1 lb lamb shoulder Cut into 1-inch cubes	960	86	0	68	0
2 cloves garlic Minced	8	0	2	0	0
1 tsp ground cumin	8	0.4	1	0.5	0.5
1 tsp ground coriander	5	0.2	1	0.3	0.5
1 tbsp olive oil	120	0	0	14	0
Salt and pepper To taste	0	0	0	0	0
2 tbsp olive oil	240	0	0	28	0
1 large onion Finely chopped	44	1	10	0	2
2 cloves garlic Minced	8	0	2	0	0
2 red bell peppers Sliced thinly	60	2	14	0	6
1 tbsp harissa paste	18	0.5	4	0.5	0.5
2 tsp tomato paste	10	0.5	2	0	0.5
1 cup canned tomatoes Crushed	40	2	10	0	2
1/2 cup water	0	0	0	0	0
1 zucchini Diced	20	1.5	4	0.3	1
1 eggplant Diced	35	1	8	0.2	2.5
Salt and pepper To taste	0	0	0	0	0
Fresh parsley Chopped	3	0.3	0.5	0.1	0.2
Lemon wedges	6	0.2	2	0	0.1

These are estimates, not dietary advice.

Preparation

Get these tasks done before you start cooking.

Marinating the Lamb

1
Combine Ingredients
Combine lamb, garlic, cumin, coriander, olive oil, salt, and pepper in a bowl.
2
Mix Well
Mix well to coat the lamb pieces evenly.
3
Marinate
Marinate for at least 30 minutes or refrigerate overnight for deeper flavors.

Preparing the Ojja Sauce

1
Heat Oil & Sauté
In a large pot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add onions and garlic, sauté until they are translucent.
2
Cook Peppers & Spices
Stir in red bell peppers, harissa paste, and tomato paste, cooking for another 5 minutes.
Tip: Do not overpower the dish with harissa if you're sensitive to spice! Pro Tip: Stir in a pinch of sugar to balance the acidity of the tomatoes and harissa.

How to Make Scrumptious Tunisian Lamb Ojja with Harissa Peppers

Total time: 2 h 20 min · Yields 4 servings

1
Searing
In a separate pan, sear the marinated lamb over high heat until browned on all sides.
2
Simmering
Add the seared lamb to the Ojja sauce, stir in crushed tomatoes and water, then simmer.
3
Vegetable Integration
Add zucchini and eggplant in the last 20 minutes of cooking.