The BEST Moroccan Soup: Harira

Moroccan Hearty Harira Soup

Immerse yourself in the rich and aromatic flavors of Moroccan cuisine with Harira, a traditional soup that's both hearty and satisfying. This dish is a tapestry of spices, tender meat, and wholesome legumes, creating a comforting and filling meal. Harira is versatile, easily adapted for all dietary preferences by being vegan, vegetarian, or gluten-free.

Ingredients

🫒 1/4 cup olive oil
🥩 12 oz boneless lamb, chicken, or beef (Lamb shown)
🧅 1 large onion, finely chopped
🧄 5-6 garlic cloves, grated
🍅 28 oz crushed tomatoes, pureed
🍅 2 tablespoons tomato paste
🥬 2 ribs celery with leaves, finely chopped
🥫 15 oz canned cooked chickpeas, rinsed and drained
🌿 1 cup uncooked green lentils, soaked and rinsed
🍜 1/4 cup vermicelli noodles
💧 8 cups chicken broth or water
🌾 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
🍋 Lemon wedges for serving
🌿 1 cup fresh cilantro leaves, finely chopped

Spices
🧂 2 teaspoons salt
🌶️ 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
🌱 1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric
🌿 1 teaspoon ground cumin
🌿 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
🍃 1/4 teaspoon ground dried ginger
🌶️ Crushed red pepper flakes to taste

Instructions

1- Prepare Ingredients:

Dice the lamb (or chosen meat) into 1/2-inch pieces.
Finely chop the celery, onion, and cilantro.

2- Sauté and Brown:

Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat.
Add lamb, browning it for about 5-8 minutes.
Stir in the chopped onion and a pinch of salt. Cook until soft, about 7-8 minutes.

3- Flavor Base:

Add grated garlic, cooking until aromatic.
Stir in tomato paste and spices: cinnamon, turmeric, ginger, cumin, red pepper flakes, pepper, and salt. Cook for about a minute.

4- Build the Soup:

Add chopped celery, chickpeas, and lentils.
Stir in pureed tomatoes and broth or water.

5- Simmer:

After bringing the soup to a boil, reduce heat to medium-low. Cover and simmer for 45 minutes, stirring occasionally.

6- Thicken and Finalize:

In a small bowl, mix flour with warm water until smooth. Pour mixture into the soup.
Add vermicelli noodles, cooking for another 10-15 minutes until noodles are done and soup thickens.

7- Finish and Season:

Stir in chopped cilantro. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper to taste.

8- Serve:

Ladle into bowls, garnishing with extra cilantro. Serve with lemon wedges.

Prep Time: 20-30 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes active; 1 hr 15-30 min total
Servings: 6 servings
Equipment: Large Dutch oven, chef's knife, cutting boards, blender, measuring spoons and cups, wooden spoon, sieve, ladle, pepper grinder, serving bowl