soups stews moroccan

Harira-Inspired Chickpea and Lentil Soup

Name: Harira-Inspired Chickpea and Lentil Soup
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 1 h
Yield: 6 servings
Cuisine: moroccan
Ingredients: 1 can Chickpeas (15 oz, drained and rinsed); 0.75 cup Brown lentils (rinsed); 3 tbsp Extra virgin olive oil; 1 large Yellow onion (diced); 2 stalks Celery (diced); 4 cloves Garlic (minced); 1 inch Fresh ginger (minced); 1 tsp Ground turmeric; 1 tsp Ground cumin; 0.5 tsp Ground cinnamon; 0.5 tsp Paprika; 14 oz Crushed tomatoes (one can); 6 cups Vegetable broth; 0.5 cup Fresh cilantro (chopped); 0.5 cup Fresh parsley (chopped); 2 tbsp Lemon juice; 1.5 tsp Salt; 0.5 tsp Black pepper

Warmly spiced chickpea and lentil soup inspired by Moroccan harira. Aromatic, hearty, and perfect for cold evenings.

vegetarian vegan dairy free

More Recipes

Prep 15 min

Cook 45 min

Total 1h

Servings 6

Difficulty Easy

Ingredients

Instructions

Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add onion and celery. Cook 6-8 minutes until softened.
Add garlic and ginger. Cook 1 minute until fragrant.
Add turmeric, cumin, cinnamon, and paprika. Stir 30 seconds until spices are toasted and aromatic.

Tip: Toasting spices in oil releases their volatile oils and deepens flavor.
Add crushed tomatoes, broth, lentils, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil.
Reduce heat and simmer 25 minutes until lentils are almost tender.
Add chickpeas. Simmer another 15 minutes.
Remove from heat. Stir in most of the cilantro, parsley, and lemon juice.
Taste and adjust seasoning. Serve garnished with remaining fresh herbs.

Storage & Meal Prep

Keeps for up to 5 days in the refrigerator and freezes well for up to 3 months. The flavors deepen beautifully overnight. Add a squeeze of lemon and fresh herbs when reheating.

Variations

Harira with Lamb: Brown 200g diced lamb shoulder before adding vegetables for the traditional meat-based version served during Ramadan.
Harira with Pasta: Add 1/2 cup broken vermicelli or angel hair pasta in the last 5 minutes—traditional in many Moroccan homes.
Smoky Harira: Add 1 tsp smoked paprika and a pinch of cinnamon for a deeper, more complex spice profile.

FAQ

What is harira?

Harira is a traditional North African soup, especially popular in Morocco, made with lentils, chickpeas, tomatoes, and warm spices like turmeric, ginger, and cinnamon. It's traditionally served to break the fast during Ramadan.

Is harira healthy?

Very healthy—it combines two legume sources (lentils and chickpeas) for exceptional protein and fiber. The turmeric and ginger provide anti-inflammatory compounds, while the cinnamon supports blood sugar stability.

What spices go in harira?

The essential spices are turmeric, ginger, cinnamon, and cumin. Some versions add paprika, saffron, or ras el hanout. Fresh cilantro and parsley are stirred in at the end for brightness.

The Story Behind This Dish

Harira is traditionally served to break the fast during Ramadan, but you don’t need a special occasion to enjoy this warmly spiced, deeply satisfying soup.

This version simplifies the traditional recipe while keeping the essential character: earthy legumes, warm (not hot) spices, and a generous amount of fresh herbs stirred in at the end.