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Home » Recipes » Soup

Moroccan Lentil Soup: Harira

Published: Oct 15, 2014 · Updated: Jan 15, 2020 · By Lisa Goldfinger · 83 Comments · This post may contain affiliate links

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blue dutch over filled with beautiful orange moroccan red lentil soup and a big sprig of green cilantro in the middle

This Moroccan Lentil Soup is hearty, healthy and delicious ~ tender red lentils and chickpeas flavored with warm, fragrant Moroccan spices

blue dutch over filled with beautiful orange moroccan red lentil soup and a big sprig of green cilantro in the middle

I'm a very big fan of this Moroccan Lentil Soup. It's got so much to love - it's thick and creamy, hearty, healthy and colorful, and it's flavored by the beautiful, warm, fragrant spices that characterize Moroccan cuisine.

I discovered this soup when I attended a cooking class on Mediterranean Street Food at Sofra Bakery and Cafe in Cambridge.  My cooking teacher that night - Cara Chigazola - is the Chef de Cuisine at one of my all-time favorite restaurants - Oleana - also in Cambridge.  I was thrilled that Cara gave me the recipe and permission to share it here on Panning The Globe.

blue bowl with orange lentil soup, a spoon, a lemon and lots of sprinkled parsley

It was fun to hear Cara speak about her travels and her love of street food. She told us about a trip she took to Morocco and how she discovered this amazing soup and had to recreate it when she returned home.  I know exactly how she felt!  After I tasted her version I wanted to make it immediately when I got home!  So did my friend Meryl, who took the class with me.

Here's How To Make Moroccan Lentil Soup

Start by chopping and sautéing a mirepoix of carrots, celery and onions, along with a good amount of minced ginger and garlic.

chopped onions, carrots, celery, ginger and garlic on a cutting board with a knife blade

Next add the ground spices: turmeric, cinnamon, paprika and red pepper. Stir the spices around in the pan for a minute or two, until they're lightly toasted.  

At this point you'll be inhaling the beautiful aromatic flavors of this dish and you might close your eyes and take several deep sniffs and start sighing, as I did.

measuring spoons and a glass bowl with three different spices, turmeric, cinnamon and chili powder

Lastly, add the tomatoes, lentils, chickpeas, and herbs. Now all you have to do is let it simmer for about a half hour....

wooden cutting board topped with chopped herbs and two bowls, one filled with chickpeas the other with raw red lentils

This Moroccan lentil soup is hearty enough to be a main course. Cara suggests garnishing the bowl with a wedge of lemon to squeeze in, and a date. You can either chop the date, or just put it in the middle of the bowl and scoop up sweet bits of it with each spoonful of soup.

blue bowl filled with red lentil soup with chickpeas, a spoon, a lemon wedge and sprinkles of parsley

If you live in the Boston area, cooking classes at Sofra are a very special treat that I highly recommend. Imagine stepping into a warm Middle Eastern cafe at 6:30 in the evening.

Pour yourself a cup of tea and get comfy on one of the kilim-covered benches. As you watch the chef prepare the food, intoxicating aromas will float your way and you will be seriously craving the scrumptious dishes that are being created. Your wish will be answered with a delicious serving of each dish, along with the perfect wine pairing.

By the end of the night, you'll be happily stuffed and armed with a bunch of great new recipes to make at home (as well as some other irresistible items from Sofra, such as pomegranate molasses and earthquake cookies, if you're me.)

Here's the link for information about Sofra Bakery, Menu, Catering and Cooking classes.
Here's the link for Oleana Restaurant in Cambridge
Update! Chef Cara recently opened a Honey Road restaurant in Burlington Vermont. It's getting great reviews. I can't wait to check it out next time I'm in Burlington.

Other Delicious Moroccan Recipes: 

• Moroccan Chicken Stew with Sweet Potatoes, Apricots and Kale
• Ras El Hanout Spice Mix
• Ras El Hanout Grilled Chicken Thighs
• Slow Cooker Chicken Tagine with Apricots and Chickpeas
• Spicy Moroccan Sweet Potato Stacks
• Moroccan Carrot Soup with Lemon Honey Yogurt
• Moroccan Raw Carrot Salad

blue dutch over filled with beautiful orange moroccan red lentil soup and a big sprig of green cilantro in the middle

Here's the recipe for Moroccan Lentil Soup: Harira. If you try this recipe, I hope you'll come back to leave a star rating and share your thoughts in the comments. I'd love to know what you think!

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Recipe

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This Moroccan Lentil Soup is hearty, healthy and flavored with beautiful fragrant spices that characterize Moroccan Cuisine

MOROCCAN LENTIL SOUP: HARIRA


5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.7 from 18 reviews

  • Author: Panning The Globe
  • Total Time: 1 hour 5 mins
  • Yield: 6-8 1x
Print Recipe

Description

Beautifully-spiced soup of lentils, chickpeas, vegetables and herbs. Hearty enough for dinner.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 large yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 2 stalks celery, finely chopped
  • 1 carrot, peeled and finely chopped
  • ⅓ cup chopped parsley, leaves and tender stems
  • ½ cup chopped cilantro, leaves and tender stems
  • 2 ½ tablespoons minced garlic (about 5 large garlic cloves)
  • 2 tablespoons minced ginger (about a 2-inch by 3-inch piece)
  • 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 2 teaspoons sweet paprika
  • ½ teaspoon Aleppo pepper (or substitute freshly ground black pepper)
  • 1 ¼ cups dry red lentils, rinsed and picked over
  • 1 15-ounce can chickpeas, drained (or 1 ½ cups cooked chickpeas)
  • 1 28-ounce can whole plum tomatoes and their juice, pureed with an immersion blender or squeezed by hand until they're broken down. (I recommend San Marzano or organic)
  • 7-8 cups low salt chicken broth or vegetable broth (I recommend Swanson's)
  • Coarse salt
  • Optional Garnish:
  • Dates, 1 per person, chopped or left whole
  • Lemon wedges (1 per person)

Instructions

  1. In a large heavy pot or Dutch oven, warm 2 tablespoons olive oil and sauté the onion, celery, carrots, garlic, and ginger over medium-low heat until they soften, 5-7 minutes. (Don't let them brown) Add the spices: turmeric, cinnamon, paprika and pepper. Cook, stirring, for 5 minutes, to toast the spices. Add the tomatoes and chicken broth (start with 7 cups and add more later, if you want a thinner soup). Bring to a simmer. Add the lentils, chickpeas, cilantro and parsley. Simmer, uncovered, for about 35 minutes, until the lentils break down and the soup becomes thick and creamy, adding more broth if you want a thinner soup.
  2. Season, to taste, with salt. Serve with lemon wedges and dates.
  • Prep Time: 20 mins
  • Cook Time: 45 mins
  • Category: Main Dish Soup
  • Method: stove top
  • Cuisine: Moroccan

Did you make this recipe?

If you make this recipe, please let me know how it turns out for you! Leave a comment below and share a picture on instagram with the hashtag #panningtheglobe

 

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Filed Under: Africa, All Recipes, Dinner, Entertaining, Lunch and Brunch, Moroccan Recipes, Most Popular Recipes, Soup, Vegetarian Tagged With: dairy-free, gluten-free

Reader Interactions

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    Recipe rating 5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

  1. Reena

    October 12, 2019 at 3:09 pm

    I made this today and it is amazing! I added 3 pureed dates and squeezed the juice of 1/2 a lemon. Yummy!

    Reply
    • Lisa

      October 12, 2019 at 4:12 pm

      Hey Reena, I'm really glad you enjoyed!

      Reply
  2. Louis

    July 31, 2019 at 11:59 am

    I made this and it was absolutely fantastic. Really remarkable. I was so surprised. I added tablespoon and a half of fish sauce, tablespoon and a half of tamari, two teaspoons of rice vinegar and mirin. I wanted to amp up the umami. Everybody loved it and asked for seconds.

    Reply
  3. David Yavin

    February 26, 2019 at 8:28 am

    I made this soup last night. Contrary to my normal tendencies, I actually followed the recipe verbatim. It came out amazing! The combination of spices, garlic and ginger is perfect.

    Reply
    • Lisa

      February 26, 2019 at 10:11 am

      I'm so glad to hear it David 🙂

      Reply
      • David Yavin

        February 28, 2019 at 4:26 pm

        I doubled the quantities, and the pot was so full I was sure I'd made way too much. It lasted exactly 2 days...

      • Lisa

        March 01, 2019 at 3:28 am

        🙂

      • Mallory Dittmer

        April 24, 2020 at 5:44 pm

        I have had this recipe saved for weeks now and I was waiting until I was able to get a can of chickpeas (in Seattle we’re all out because of the pandemic) anyways, we made it. My 4 year of son, who is a vegetarian, helped me. I think when kiddos are able to help cook the foods then they are more excited to try it. There is a Restaurant in Portland that has a similar soup for an appetizer. The last time I had that soup was 17 years ago and I still think about it often. This soup is exactly like I remember that soup tasting. It’s absolutely incredible. We have tried many Moroccan soups and this one is by far the best soup we have ever made. I really appreciate how easy it is and how it’s fills my house with a wonderful aroma. Thank you so much for creating this, it will be made very often in our home. I appreciate you.

      • Lisa

        April 24, 2020 at 6:32 pm

        I can so relate to waiting for ingredients Mallory. There are several recipes on my wish list and I only venture out to the grocery store once a week, masked up and stressed out. So great that you were able to finally source the chickpeas. I'm really happy to hear that you all enjoyed the soup. Thank you for coming back around to leave a comment.

  4. Justine Janis

    January 15, 2019 at 7:02 pm

    This soup is so flavorful and delicious. I've already made it 3 times in the past few weeks. I double the recipe so I can take it to work throughout the week. Thanks for the recipe!

    Reply
  5. Kelki

    August 15, 2017 at 1:09 am

    Made this soup twice within 3 days once for my family of 6 and then for a lunch church outreach for 40 and both times had rave reviews with eithet none left over or eaten quickly the next day!
    Found the lemon did not work so well but the dates did
    For my family i followed a readers suvgestion of a Rose wine and that worked well
    Thanks for a keeper

    Reply
  6. Erika

    February 15, 2017 at 2:29 pm

    I made this last week and packed individual servings in mason jars to eat throughout the week for lunch/dinner. The flavor and texture was amazing every time!

    Reply
    • Lisa

      February 16, 2017 at 2:33 pm

      I love the thought of a fridge filled with jars of soup ready for reheating. I'm really glad you enjoyed the soup Erica - it's one of my favorites!

      Reply
  7. Teresa

    February 09, 2017 at 11:23 am

    I made a double batch of this last night using normal lentils (I didn't have red). My husband raved over this recipe! I froze about half - I'm hoping this freezes well. I was able to use garbanzo beans I had in the freezer and some celery I had on hand. Served this with salted toast. Delicious!

    Reply
  8. Kim

    January 20, 2017 at 10:31 am

    Is this soup good re-heated? I'm going to serve it for dinner and would like to prepare the night before if possible. Thanks!

    Reply
    • Lisa

      January 20, 2017 at 2:17 pm

      Hi Kim, yes. It's delicious reheated. I hope you enjoy! L

      Reply
  9. Joel Silberman

    January 04, 2017 at 8:18 pm

    YUM YUM..ingredients were purchased before I saw the Top 10 (pure luck cause we would have jumped over to the ones we hadn't made yet) and the soup was awesome, amazing, delicious. Loved the texture, flavor, spices, and overall taste. For sure will make this one again.

    Reply
    • Lisa

      January 05, 2017 at 8:26 am

      I'm so glad you made the lentil soup Joel - isn't it amazing?! It's one of my favorite recipes. I hope you won't let the "top 10 list" dissuade you from browsing around and finding what appeals to you. Happy New Year!

      Reply
  10. Lori Yarvis

    December 20, 2016 at 5:42 am

    This soup is a hearty and delicious dish to bring to a dinner party for the vegetarians in the group. Perfect with a salad. It is also the most flavorful lentil soup I've ever tasted. And it's quick and easy to make. Thank you, Lisa!

    Reply
  11. Anne Hoffman

    November 30, 2016 at 8:30 pm

    This soup was outstanding! First recipe from your blog, and we have enjoyed searching this evening given this recipe's success. Can't wait to make more!

    Reply
    • Lisa

      December 01, 2016 at 4:30 pm

      I'm so glad to hear that Anne! Thanks so much for letting me know 🙂

      Reply
  12. Valerie

    February 15, 2016 at 3:28 pm

    I just made this Moroccan soup tonight and loved it !!! The recipe is perfect, thanks a lot Lisa

    Reply
    • Lisa

      February 16, 2016 at 9:24 pm

      I'm so glad to here that you loved the soup Valerie. Thanks for coming back to let me know 🙂

      Reply
  13. Kristina

    January 10, 2016 at 11:05 pm

    anything that begins with a mirepoix containing ginger and garlic? is my kind of recipe. we love these flavors, and lentils - saving this to make soon!

    Reply
  14. Liz @ I Heart Vegetables

    November 02, 2015 at 7:28 am

    My husband has been requesting more moroccan dishes ever since I made a stew that he liked! Ill have to give this one a try!

    Reply
  15. phyllis luberg

    September 28, 2015 at 8:03 am

    Fall is in the air and I remember making this delicious soup last fall. It is so hearty that with a salad and a hunk of crusty bread it makes a wonderful light dinner. My friends loved it! Thanks Lisa.

    Reply
  16. Jane

    September 14, 2015 at 9:42 am

    Hi Lisa. I made this soup yesterday afternoon, the house smelled amazing while it was simmering. It was wonderful and most definitely on the "make again and again"list. I am so happy that I found your blog, I have made several of your dishes and have loved everyone of them. Thank you so much for sharing!!

    Reply
    • Lisa

      September 14, 2015 at 10:49 am

      Hi Jane. I'm so glad you enjoyed the Moroccan lentil soup and other recipes - I love hearing that 🙂 Thank you!

      Reply
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