Hajar's Own Harira the National Soup of Morocco

Experience the comforting warmth and bold, aromatic flavors of "Hajar's Own Harira," the beloved national soup of Morocco. This hearty, slow-simmered dish combines an irresistible medley of lentils, chickpeas, tender cubes of beef or lamb (optional), and broken vermicelli, all infused with a rich blend of Moroccan spices like turmeric, cinnamon, and ginger. Fresh parsley, cilantro, and a base of pureed tomatoes add layers of vibrant flavor, while a simple flour slurry gives the soup its signature velvety texture. Perfect as a soul-soothing dinner or a festive starter during Ramadan, this satisfying soup is served with zesty lemon wedges and sweet dates for a classic Moroccan touch. With its fulfilling blend of protein, veggies, and spices, this one-pot wonder will bring a taste of Marrakech to your kitchen.

Nutriscore Rating: 75/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:90 mins

Total Time:110 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons Olive oil
• 1 large Onion, finely chopped
• 2 Celery stalks, diced
• 3 large Tomatoes, peeled and blended into a puree
• 2 tablespoons Tomato paste
• 1 cup Parsley, finely chopped
• 1 cup Cilantro, finely chopped
• 1 cup Lentils, rinsed
• 1 cup Chickpeas, canned or pre-cooked
• 250 grams Beef or lamb, cut into small cubes (optional)
• 2 tablespoons All-purpose flour
• 8 cups Water or beef broth
• 1 teaspoon Ground turmeric
• 1 teaspoon Ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon Ground ginger
• 1 teaspoon Ground black pepper
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 1 cup Broken vermicelli or small pasta
• 1 Lemon wedges (for serving)
• 0 Dates (optional, for serving)

Directions

Step 1

Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.

Step 2

Add the chopped onion and celery, and sauté until softened, about 5 minutes.

Step 3

Stir in the cubed meat (if using) and cook until browned on all sides.

Step 4

Add the tomatoes, tomato paste, parsley, and cilantro to the pot. Stir well and cook for another 5 minutes to let the flavors meld.

Step 5

Mix in the lentils, chickpeas, turmeric, cinnamon, ginger, black pepper, and salt.

Step 6

Pour in the water or beef broth and bring the soup to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer gently for about 60 minutes, partially covered. Stir occasionally.

Step 7

In a small bowl, whisk the flour with 1/2 cup of water until smooth, creating a slurry.

Step 8

Gradually add the flour slurry to the soup, stirring constantly to prevent lumps. This will help thicken the Harira.

Step 9

Add the broken vermicelli or small pasta during the last 15 minutes of cooking. Cook until the pasta is tender.

Step 10

Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.

Step 11

Serve hot, garnished with lemon wedges and accompanied by dates if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(3904.3g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2768.9

Total Fat 92.4g	0%
Saturated Fat 26.6g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.7g
Cholesterol 200mg	0%
Sodium 3529.7mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 364.0g	0%
Dietary Fiber 68.8g	0%
Total Sugars 57.4g
Protein 138.8g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 1224.8mg	0%
Iron 59.5mg	0%
Potassium 7655.1mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 29.3%

Protein: 19.5%

Carbs: 51.2%