Moroccan Harira
A hearty, soul-warming Moroccan soup that perfectly balances the earthiness of lentils and chickpeas with the vibrant brightness of fresh herbs and lemon.
Ingredients
- •2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- •1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
- •1/2 pound (225g) lean beef or lamb, cut into small 1/2-inch cubes
- •1 teaspoon ground ginger
- •1 teaspoon ground turmeric
- •1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- •1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- •1 can (15 oz) chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- •1/2 cup dried brown or green lentils, rinsed
- •1 can (14 oz) crushed tomatoes
- •4 cups beef or vegetable stock
- •1/2 cup fresh cilantro, finely chopped
- •1/2 cup fresh parsley, finely chopped
- •1/4 cup thin vermicelli noodles
- •1 tablespoon tomato paste
- •1 tablespoon lemon juice
- •Salt to taste
Instructions
- 1
Heat the olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat and sauté the onion until translucent, about 5 minutes.
- 2
Add the meat cubes and brown them on all sides, then stir in the ginger, turmeric, cinnamon, and black pepper, cooking for 1 minute until fragrant.
- 3
Pour in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, chickpeas, lentils, and stock, bringing the mixture to a boil.
- 4
Reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 20 minutes, or until the lentils are tender.
- 5
Stir in the vermicelli noodles and fresh herbs, cooking for an additional 5-7 minutes until the noodles are soft.
- 6
Remove from heat, stir in the lemon juice, adjust salt to your preference, and serve hot.
💡 Chef tips
- For a thicker, more traditional texture, you can whisk 2 tablespoons of flour with 1/2 cup of water and stir it into the soup during the last 5 minutes of cooking.
- Harira tastes even better the next day; store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- If you prefer a vegetarian version, simply omit the meat and use vegetable stock; the lentils provide plenty of protein.
✅ How it should turn out
The finished soup should be thick and aromatic with a deep golden-red color, offering a complex savory flavor profile with a bright, citrusy finish.