Name: Classic Moroccan Harira By The Spruce Eats
Prep time: 40 min
Cook time: 1 h 45 min
Total time: 2 h 25 min
Yield: 6
Cuisine: Moroccan Recipes
Ingredients: ½ lb meat (lamb, beef or chicken; uncooked, chopped into 1/2-inch pieces); 3 tbsp vegetable oil; 3 cups water; 3 tbsp dried lentils; 3 tbsp tomato paste; Optional: several soup bones; 1 tsp ground cinnamon; 1 tbsp ground ginger; ½ tsp pepper; 1 tbsp Kosher salt; ½ tsp turmeric; 1 bunch cilantro; 1 bunch fresh parsley; 12 stalk celery; 1 large onion; 1 handful of dried chickpeas; 6 large tomatoes; Optional: 1 tablespoon smen; Optional: 2 to 3 tablespoons rice (uncooked; or uncooked broken vermicelli)

RatingDifficultyIntermediate

Classic Moroccan Harira By The Spruce Eats

Yields6 Servings

Prep Time40 minsCook Time1 hr 45 minsTotal Time2 hrs 25 mins

Harira is an authentic Moroccan soup made of tomato, lentils, and chickpeas, but also includes meat, making it a filling and satisfying dish. There are many variations, and recipes are often passed down from generation to generation. Some versions, such as this one, feature broken pieces of vermicelli and smen—a preserved butter with a Parmesan-like taste.

Harira recipes yield a delicious, hearty soup which can be served as a filling lunch or light supper. Although served year-round, it is particularly popular during Ramadan, when it is served to break the fast.

½ lb meat (lamb, beef or chicken; uncooked, chopped into 1/2-inch pieces)

3 tbsp vegetable oil

3 cups water

3 tbsp dried lentils (picked over and washed)

3 tbsp tomato paste (mixed evenly into 1 or 2 cups of water)

Optional: several soup bones

For the Stock:

1 tsp ground cinnamon

1 tbsp ground ginger

½ tsp pepper

1 tbsp Kosher salt

½ tsp turmeric (or 1/4 teaspoon yellow colorant)