Muhammara (Red Pepper Dip)

5 from 4 votes

Muhammara (or Acuka) is a delicious Middle Eastern dip/spread/meze made with red pepper (paste), garlic, walnuts, spices, and olive oil.

Prep Time5

Cook Time10

Total Time15

Course: Sauce, Snack

Cuisine: Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, Turkish

Diet: Halal, Low Lactose, Vegan

Servings: people

Calories: 187kcal

4 tablespoon red pepper paste (or 2 tablespoon red pepper paste+2 large roasted red peppers)
3 tablespoon tomato paste
⅓ cup olive oil
4 cloves garlic (minced)
100 g walnuts (finely chopped)
15 g breadcrumbs
1 teaspoon sesame seeds
1 teaspoon chili flakes
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon dried thyme or oregano
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon cajun spices

Place a pan over medium heat and add the olive oil.
Add the red pepper paste and tomato paste to the pan and cook together for 10 minutes, stirring frequently.
If you want to add roasted red peppers to your Muhammara, blitz 2 large roasted red peppers and reduce the amount of red pepper paste by half. Add it to the pan along with the tomato paste and red pepper paste.
Stir in the garlic, chili, paprika, sesame seeds, cajun spices, and thyme, and sauté together for another minute.
Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the breadcrumbs along with the walnuts.
Let the mixture cool down before transferring it to a serving dish.

You can substitute red pepper paste with jarred or freshly roasted red peppers. However, your Muhammara will have a lighter taste and a smoother texture.

Leave the breadcrumbs out for making this delicious dip gluten free.
The leftovers of this dip will keep for up to two weeks when refrigerated in an airtight container or in a jar.
It is a versatile dish, you can serve this spicy Acuka as a spread, dip, appetizer, mezze, or sauce.
Check the seasoning before adding the salt as most of the ready made tomato paste and red pepper paste contains some salt already.