Recipes
Makloub: Tunisia’s Grilled Street Sandwich
Makloub is one of Tunisia’s most beloved street foods — a hot, pressed sandwich that’s crispy on the outside and full of flavor inside. It’s made with soft flatbread (often Mlewi or Tabouna bread), stuffed with grilled meat like chicken, lamb, or merguez sausage, along with onions, peppers, cheese, and a spoonful of fiery harissa. Once filled, the sandwich is pressed on the grill until the bread is golden and the cheese is melted, creating a smoky, gooey, irresistible meal.
The base of Makloub is always flatbread. It’s sliced open, then generously filled with grilled meat, vegetables, and sometimes fries or boiled potato slices for extra heartiness. Harissa is spread inside for spice, and cheese is added for richness. Once assembled, the sandwich is placed on a hot griddle or panini press, which gives it its signature crispness. The result? A street sandwich that feels both comforting and indulgent.
Makloub is more than just a sandwich — it’s a full meal in your hands. It’s quick, filling, and affordable, making it a favorite for workers, students, and families alike. Its smoky, cheesy flavor and the balance of meat, spice, and bread make it universally loved. Whether eaten from a roadside stall late at night or from a café at lunchtime, Makloub is pure comfort food.
What does Makloub mean?
In Tunisian Arabic, Makloub roughly translates to “turned over” or “flipped” — a reference to the way the sandwich is pressed and grilled until the bread crisps and the filling melds together.
Is Makloub healthy?
Makloub is hearty and filling, but it’s more of a comfort food than a light option. It contains protein from the meat and cheese, and vegetables for freshness, but it’s also rich due to the oil and grilling. Compared to deep-fried snacks like Fricassé, it’s a bit lighter, but still firmly in the category of indulgent street food.
What’s the difference between Makloub and Mlewi?
Mlewi is a flaky Tunisian flatbread, while Makloub is a sandwich made using Mlewi or other flatbreads. In other words, Mlewi is bread; Makloub is the pressed, grilled sandwich stuffed with meat, vegetables, and cheese.
Can you make Makloub at home?
Absolutely! All you need is good flatbread, your choice of filling, and a hot grill or panini press. Start with chicken or lamb marinated in cumin, coriander, and olive oil, add grilled peppers and onions, top with cheese and harissa, and press until crispy. Homemade Makloub brings a taste of Tunisian street food straight into your kitchen.
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Makloub
NUTRITION
Ingredients
- 2 large flatbreads mlewi, tabouna, or pita-style
- 250 g chicken breast or merguez sausage sliced or crumbled
- 1 onion thinly sliced
- 1 bell pepper sliced
- 1 tomato sliced
- 1 small potato boiled and sliced (optional, authentic addition)
- 1–2 tbsp harissa to taste
- 100 g grated cheese Gruyère, Emmental, or mozzarella
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Salt pepper, cumin, paprika (to season meat)
- Fresh parsley chopped
Instructions
- Cook the filling: Heat olive oil in a pan, add the meat, onion, and bell pepper. Season with salt, pepper, cumin, and paprika. Cook until meat is done and vegetables are soft.
- Prepare the bread: Spread harissa inside the flatbread. Add slices of potato and tomato.
- Assemble: Pile on the cooked meat and vegetables, sprinkle with cheese, and add parsley. Fold or cover with another flatbread.
- Grill: Place in a hot skillet, panini press, or grill pan. Cook for 3–4 minutes per side until the bread is crisp and the cheese melts.
- Serve: Slice in halves or quarters and serve hot.