Harira is a traditional and classic Moroccan soup made with satisfying, wholesome ingredients such as lentils, chickpeas, meat, and warm spices for the ultimate comfort soup. Not only is it delicious, but it also packs a punch in terms of flavor and nutrition. Even though it's eaten all year round, it's most commonly served to break fast during the month of Ramadan.
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This delicious, filling Moroccan soup is actually so popular during Ramadan that most Moroccans think that a meal during Ramadan isn't complete if Harira isn't on the table! No wonder it's considered the national soup of Morocco and commonly referred to as a must-try Moroccan dish.
This Harira recipe is perfect for a cozy family dinner, especially during the colder months, or to break your fast during the holy month of Ramadan. It's a simple yet satisfying dish that can be easily customized to your liking by adjusting the spice level or adding additional vegetables.
So let's get started and make a delicious pot of harira soup that will warm your soul and satisfy your taste buds!
WHAT IS HARIRA?
Harira is a hearty soup known for its warm taste and thick and creamy texture. The ingredients in this soup are simmered for a few hours to really bring out the flavors and let them meld together.
It's a dish that has been passed down through the generations, with every family having a slightly different version of it. The one we're making today is the authentic version and features lamb meat for a heartier and more filling meal. But you can definitely skip it to enjoy a vegetarian version instead.
Although it's traditionally a Moroccan recipe, you'll soon see why it's enjoyed all over the world! Not only is it delicious, but harira is very healthy too.
First, the meat, lentils, and chickpeas make this soup a great source of protein, both meat-based and plant-based. These ingredients also make harira high in fiber, which is great for a healthy digestive system.
The vegetables in this soup also give it a lot of vitamins and minerals like vitamin A, vitamin C, iron, and potassium. Packed with nutrition and flavor, this is the tastiest soup dish you'll ever try, trust me!
WHAT MAKES THIS HARIRA RECIPE SPECIAL?
Balanced flavors: This harira soup is the perfect balance of hearty and flavorful. The pairing of warm spices with meat, lentils, and chickpeas really brings the taste to the next level!
Delicious base: The secret to a great harira is the soup base. Using both tomato paste and butter gives it a thick, creamy texture that's hard to beat!
Easily customizable: This recipe is also very easy to customize. Change or add a few vegetables or spices, and it's like a whole new dish, customized to your tastes!
WHAT DOES HARIRA MEAN?
The word "harira" comes from the Arabic word "harir", which means silk. This could be because of the deliciously silky texture of the soup, or because it's a luxurious dish that's often served during special occasions like weddings and religious holidays.
No matter where it got its name from, after one taste of this soup, you'll see why it's associated with silky luxury!
WHAT IS THE ORIGIN OF HARIRA?
The origin of harira isn't precisely clear, but it is believed to have been brought to North Africa by Arabs during the 7th century. Since then, harira has been closely associated with Morrocan cuisine, so much so that it's considered the national soup of the country.
Harira recipes have also evolved over time through different regional and cultural influences. For example, some parts of Morocco make harira with rice or vermicelli noodles, while other parts may use lamb instead of beef. Even the spices and vegetables can vary, especially as it was adapted to different parts of the world.
🥘 INGREDIENTS YOU'LL NEED FOR HARIRA
All you need are some pantry staple ingredients to make the most hearty, filling, and delicious soup you've ever had in your life! Let's look at some of the main ingredients:
You can scroll down to the recipe card for further details and instructions.
Wheat grain: We will use wheat grain in this recipe for its subtle nutty flavor. It also becomes tender when cooked, adding a slightly chewy texture to the soup.
Meat: You can use either lamb or beef in this harira recipe. Lamb will have a stronger flavor and slightly gamey texture, whereas beef has a milder flavor. Regardless of which one you choose, you'll absolutely love this Moroccan soup!
Lentils & chickpeas: These legumes add a slightly nutty flavor to the soup with different textures. Lentils will become creamy, while chickpeas remain somewhat firm, adding a pleasing bite.
Tomatoes and butter: These are both key ingredients in our harira recipe. Tomatoes add a tangy and slightly sweet flavor, amplified by the creamy richness of the butter. Plus, tomatoes will also make up the base of our soup.
Spices: We're going to use some earthy spices to pair with the meat and legumes. Cinnamon and black pepper will give us a warm, somewhat spicy taste, with salt bringing out the rest of the flavors.
🔪 HOW TO MAKE HARIRA
Making Harira is easy and it's the tastiest Moroccan soup you'll ever try!
The full instructions are in the recipe card below, but let's look at the main steps to making this treat.
Step 1:
First, soak the peeled wheat in water for 10 hours. Cover and place in the refrigerator while soaking.
Step 2:
Soak the orange and green lentils for 30 minutes before you start cooking.
Step 3:
Next, add all the ingredients except chickpeas and butter to a large pot. Let everything boil for 1.5 to 2 hours on medium-low heat until the meat is tender, stirring occasionally.
Step 4:
Add the butter and the chickpeas and stir for 2 minutes.
Step 5:
Garnish the soup with chopped parsley and serve it with your favorite bread.
Your delicious Harira is ready to be served!
💭 COOKING TIPS FOR HARIRA
- Some recipes call for frying the onion and meat and then adding the rest of the ingredients, I preferred to make it this way, and it is one of the ways to cook this soup; however, adding the butter at the end makes the soup richer and adds more flavor.
- You can use beef cubes instead of lamb, but the cooking time will be longer.
- If you wish to use dry chickpeas, soak them in a separate bowl for 10 hours, covered in the fridge, and add them when you add the legumes to the soup.
- You can skip the meat to make this soup vegetarian and use vegetable bouillon. The soup will still taste amazing.
- If you prefer the soup to be thinner, add more water at the end of cooking and let the soup boil for three minutes on medium-low.
📖 DELICIOUS VARIATIONS FOR HARIRA
Harira is such a versatile and delicious soup that you can easily customize it to your own tastes. Here are some variations you can try:
Vegetables: For an extra healthy twist, add some chopped carrots, bell peppers, potatoes, or other vegetables of your choice. You can also substitute peas for the chickpeas if desired.
Meat: You can also change up the meat in your harira to customize the flavor even more. Go for chicken, meat, or turkey, or skip them altogether for a vegetarian version!
Spicy: For a spicier version, feel free to add a pinch of cayenne pepper or some chili flakes to add more spice and heat to your delicious soup.
Fresh herbs: You can also garnish it with some herbs, such as parsley and cilantro, to add an additional layer of flavor to your soup.
🍲 MORE SOUP RECIPES YOU'LL LOVE
🌡️ HOW TO STORE LEFTOVER HARIRA
You can store Harira leftovers in the refrigerator for three to four days. It will thicken slightly, so whisk it thoroughly while simmering over low heat, and if you believe it's still too thick, gradually pour in water until you reach the appropriate consistency, then serve.
You can also freeze harira for up to three months. Make sure you let it thaw completely before reheating and adjusting for consistency.
📖 Recipe
Harira Soup (Moroccan Lamb Soup)
Ingredients
- 1 large onion finely chopped
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ cup orange lentils
- ¼ cup canned chickpeas drained
- 2 tablespoon tomato paste
- 2 tablespoon butter
- 250 grams beef or lamb cubes
- 2 large tomatoes finely chopped
- ¼ teaspoon cinnamon powder
- 1 cube chicken bouillon
- ¼ cup green lentils
- ¼ cup wheat grain
- 8 cups of water
Instructions
- Soak the peeled wheat in water for 10 hours. Cover and place in refrigerator while soaking.
- Soak the orange and green lentils for 30 minutes before you start cooking.
- In a large pot add all the ingredients except the chickpeas and butter. Make sure to drain the lentils and wheat before adding it to the pot. Let it boil for 1 hour and half to two hours on medium low heat until the meat is tender. Stir occasionally.
- Add the butter and the chickpeas and stir for 2 minutes.
- Garnish the soup with chopped parsley and serve the soup with bread.
Video
Notes
- Some recipes call for frying the onion and meat and then adding the rest of the ingredients, I preferred to make it this way, and it is one of the ways to cook this soup; however, adding the butter at the end makes the soup richer and adds more flavor.
- You can use beef cubes instead of lamb, but the cooking time will be longer.
- If you wish to use dry chickpeas, soak them in a separate bowl for 10 hours, covered in the fridge, and add them when you add the legumes to the soup.
- You can skip the meat to make this soup vegetarian and use vegetable bouillon. The soup will still taste amazing.
- If you prefer the soup to be thinner, add more water at the end of cooking and let the soup boil for three minutes on medium-low.
- The nutrition value mentioned is for a serving of 1 cup.
Valentina
Hi, I am going to try this recipe soon! But I have a question: what do you mean by wheat grain? Thank you!
Muna
Hi, it is similar to barley. It is also called cracked wheat in some places. We use it in the Arabian Gulf to make a dish like Harees.