Harira Soup: Moroccan Comfort in a Bowl with Chickpeas (60) 2026

Harira is the beloved Moroccan soup that fills the kitchen with the warm scent of cinnamon, ginger and turmeric. Rich with tomatoes, tender beef, chickpeas and lentils, it is hearty enough to stand on its own as a complete meal.

This version keeps things quick and practical by using already-cooked chickpeas and lentils, so you can enjoy a deeply flavorful bowl in about an hour and a half. A final thickening of flour and water gives the soup its signature silky body, and fine noodles add just the right bite.

Serve it with crusty bread and a squeeze of lemon for a cozy dinner that tastes like it simmered all day. The blend of spices is bold yet balanced, making this soup a favorite for both weeknights and gatherings.

Ingredients for Harira Soup

This recipe makes 4 generous servings.

• 300 g beef stew meat, cut into bite-sized cubes
• 200 g onion, finely chopped
• 1 small celery stalk with leaves (about 40 g), finely chopped
• 20 g parsley, finely chopped
• 20 g cilantro, finely chopped
• 30 g olive oil
• Salt
• 400 g crushed tomatoes (fresh or canned)
• 60 g tomato paste
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger
• ½ teaspoon turmeric
• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
• 2 liters chicken broth
• 150 g cooked lentils
• 250 g cooked chickpeas
• 25 g all-purpose flour
• 100 ml cold water
• 60 g fine noodles

How to Make Harira Soup Step by Step

1. Prep the meat and vegetables

Cut 300 g of beef stew meat into bite-sized cubes and finely chop 200 g of onion. Wash and finely chop 1 small celery stalk with its leaves, 20 g of parsley and 20 g of cilantro.

2. Brown the beef and cook the onion

Heat 30 g of olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add the beef cubes and brown for 2 minutes, then add the onion and a pinch of salt. Stir and cook for 5 minutes over medium heat.

3. Add the tomatoes and cook down

Add 400 g of crushed tomatoes and 60 g of tomato paste along with another pinch of salt. Stir well and cook for 10 minutes.

4. Stir in the herbs and spices

Add the chopped celery, parsley and cilantro and mix. Then add 1 teaspoon ground ginger, ½ teaspoon turmeric, ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon and ½ teaspoon ground black pepper. Stir well and cook for 5 minutes.

5. Pour in the broth and simmer

Add 2 liters of chicken broth and bring to a boil. Once boiling, season with salt, lower the heat to medium-low and let the soup cook for 35 minutes.

6. Add the lentils and chickpeas

Stir in 150 g of cooked lentils and 250 g of cooked chickpeas. Mix and cook for 5 more minutes.

7. Thicken with the flour mixture

Whisk 25 g of all-purpose flour with 100 ml of cold water until smooth, then pour the mixture into the pot. Stir and cook for 10 minutes to thicken the soup.

8. Add the noodles and cook

Add 60 g of fine noodles and cook for the time indicated on the package, about 3 minutes in this case.

9. Finish and serve

Once the noodles are cooked, the harira is ready to serve. Ladle it into bowls while hot.

Tips for the Best Harira Soup

Use cooked legumes for speed

This recipe calls for cooked chickpeas and lentils, which cuts the cooking time considerably. If you cook them from dried, plan for extra time and adjust the broth accordingly.

Customize the meat and broth

The beef can be swapped for lamb or chicken, and the chicken broth can be replaced with vegetable broth or water. Add meat or leave it out entirely to suit your preferences.

Thicken at the end for body

Traditional harira is always thickened near the end of cooking with a mixture of flour and water. Whisk it smooth before adding so no lumps form, and stir as it simmers.

30 Top Recipes I Enjoy Cooking at Home

Like a lot of home cooks, I like having a balanced lineup ready to go: simple comfort dishes, well-known international plates, and desserts that make everyone happy.

On nights when I want something rich and indulgent, my picks tend to be this La Viña Molten Cheesecake recipe, this elegant Original French Crème Brûlée recipe, or a decadent Chocolate Mousse Cake recipe. And whenever something fruity and soothing sounds good, this classic French Tarte Tatin recipe is the one I keep coming back to.

For quick breakfasts and lighter plates, these fluffy Oatmeal and Banana Pancakes recipe are a regular in my rotation, along with a satisfying Stuffed Sweet Potato recipe and these fresh Eggs Stuffed with Avocado and Salmon recipe. And for a gluten-free staple to keep in the pantry, this simple Gluten-Free Rice Flour recipe is one I like to prepare.

When tapas and Mediterranean flavors are calling, I move between this bold Basque Tuna with Tomato recipe, crispy Patatas Bravas Air Fryer recipe, creamy Tirokafteri Greek Dip Sauce recipe, and refreshing Burrata Salad with Tomato and Pesto recipe. This crisp Italian Vitello Tonnato recipe is also a favorite of mine to serve when the occasion calls for something a bit more special.

For filling lunches and cozy dinners, these are the ones I always point people toward: this comforting Meatballs in Spanish Sauce recipe, traditional Meatballs in Almond Sauce recipe, rich Italian Bolognese Sauce recipe, and creamy Chicken Croquettes in Thermomix recipe. And if I'm after something even heartier, I'll bake this Greek Pastitsio Pie recipe, a rustic Potatoes and Squid Stew recipe, or the ultra-comforting French Boeuf Bourguignon recipe.

Street food and party-style plates are another mood I cook for often, and that usually means this juicy Homemade Chicken Doner Kebab recipe, crispy Salchipapas recipe, flavorful Mexican Pork Carnitas recipe, or these crunchy Korean Hobak Jeon recipe. These easy Air Fryer Zucchini Rings recipe are another one I like to set out as a no-fuss appetizer or snack.

And when I'm building drinks and a full spread for company, dinner often gets paired with this refreshing Original Cuban Mojito recipe, this bold Long Island Iced Tea recipe, or a pitcher of this fruity Bleeding Spanish Sangria recipe. To fill out the table, this tangy French Remoulade Sauce recipe works great on the side, and this striking Mediterranean Black Rice with Squid recipe makes a beautiful finish.

Additional Tasty Recipes the Whole Family Will Enjoy

After years of testing and fine-tuning recipes in my own kitchen, I've come to believe the strongest dishes rely on three things: simplicity, techniques you can trust, and serious flavor.

The recipes gathered here are the ones I genuinely keep coming back to—whether it's a fast meal just for me or something a little more special for friends and family.

On the dessert side, the rich and silky Orange Chocolate Mousse Recipe is one I reach for when I want something elegant without much effort. Another sweet favorite is the caramelized Trdelnik Slavic Pastry Recipe, inspired by the famous Central European chimney cake. If baking is your thing, knowing how to make syrup for better texture in desserts comes in handy, and my Inverted Sugar Recipe walks through exactly how I do it at home.

When something fresh and unfussy is what I'm after, I usually reach for the classic Italian Caprese Salad Recipe or a perfectly cooked Simple Poached Egg Recipe. For heavier comfort food, I'm quick to suggest the satisfying Meatball Sandwich Recipe, the creamy Russian Stroganoff Beef Recipe, and the quick weeknight go-to One Pot Pasta Recipe.

Traditional dishes from around the world are another thing I love to share, among them the authentic Sorropotún de Bonito Fish Stew Recipe, crispy Chilean Pumpkin Sopaipillas Recipe, and the classic Spanish Cochifrito Segovian Fried Pig Recipe.

Air fryer cooking is a category I turn to often too, since it saves time without sacrificing texture. The ones I make most include Air Fryer Pork Ribs Recipe, Air Fryer Chicken Thighs Recipe, Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes Recipe, Air Fryer Baked Potatoes Recipe, Air Fryer Peppers Recipe, Air Fryer Mixed Sandwich Recipe, Air Fryer Toasted Bread Recipe, and Air Fryer Hard-Boiled Eggs Recipe.

And for those steering clear of wheat, my comforting Gluten-Free Lasagna Recipe shows that a classic baked pasta can still be rich, cheesy, and deeply satisfying without any gluten.

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