A thin, spicy sausage made with beef and/or lamb, merguez is seasoned with sumac and harissa (a hot red chili paste). Merguez originated in North Africa (particularly Algeria and Tunisia), and is popular in France, Belgium and Germany.

Merguez can be fried, broiled or grilled, and is often served with couscous, added to a stew or soup (as pictured) or eaten as a fast food hot dog, tucked into a baguette with French fries and slathered with harissa.