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Margoog

70 min Medium 4 servings

Serves 4 · Total 70 min · Prep 20 min · Cook 50 min

Updated on 1 October 2026

A one-pot stew of meat, pumpkin and vegetables with torn squares of thin dough dropped in to thicken it, similar to a dumpling stew. A homely Saudi and Emirati dinner, especially popular in winter when a warm, spiced stew is welcome.

Quick answer: 70 min in total · serves 4 · main ingredients: Mutton, All-purpose flour, Bottle gourd, Carrot · amounts in metric and US

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Ingredients

Metric US

500 g 1.1 lb Mutton
200 g 1.5 cup All-purpose flour, made into a thin dough, rested and cut into squares
300 g 0.7 lb Bottle gourd, cubed
1 pc 1 pc Carrot
1 pc 1 pc Onion
2 pc 2 pc Tomato
1 tsp 1 tsp Mixed Arabic spice blend
2 tbsp 2 tbsp Cooking oil
to taste to taste Salt

Steps

Timers run only while this tab is open. The Degchi app keeps them running on a locked phone.

Knead flour, a pinch of salt and water into a stiff dough; rest for 15 minutes, then roll thin and cut into 4 cm squares.
⏱ Resting dough · 15 min
Brown the meat with onion and tomato in oil, then add the spices.
⏱ Browning meat · 8 min
Add 1.2 litres water, cover and simmer until the meat is almost tender.
⏱ Simmering meat · 40 min
Add the pumpkin and carrot and cook until the vegetables begin to soften.
⏱ Cooking vegetables · 10 min
Drop in the dough squares one by one, stirring gently so they don't stick, and simmer until they are cooked through and the stew thickens.
⏱ Cooking dough squares · 10 min
Ladle into bowls and serve hot.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Margoog take?

70 minutes in total: about 20 minutes of prep and 50 minutes of cooking.

Is Margoog hard to make?

Degchi rates it medium. The method has 6 steps, and 5 of them have a timer you can start on this page.

How many people does Margoog serve?

This recipe serves 4. Use the toggle above the ingredient list to see the amounts in metric or US measures. For more or fewer portions, scale every amount in the same proportion, or use the servings control in the Degchi app.

Is Margoog halal, vegetarian or eggless?

It is marked halal in our recipe data. It is not vegetarian. It has no egg. It has no beef. Check the labels on any packaged ingredients for your own needs.

What will I probably need to buy for Margoog?

Everyday staples that Degchi counts as pantry basics: mixed Arabic spice blend, cooking oil, salt. Fresh items you will probably need to buy: mutton, bottle gourd, carrot, onion, tomato. Lentils, grains and other dry goods: all-purpose flour.