Ramadan is a sacred month on the Islam calendar where Muslims fast from dawn to dusk as a reflection of their spiritual beliefs and devotion to God. Each night, their fast is broken with a meal called iftar. This meal often begins with dates and water and is followed by a variety of culturally relevant foods. A very common iftar dish is harira soup, which is made with ingredients such as tomatoes, lentils, chickpeas, and lamb. Harira is a nourishing and hearty soup that provides warmth and comfort after a long day of fasting to replenish energy during this holy time.  

Harira Soup Recipe  

Recipe adapted from: Fa’s Kitchen- “Harira Soup- Moroccan Chickpea & Lentil Soup”  

Authentic Harira Soup Morocco Recipe – Hearty Chickpea & Lentil Soup for Ramadan Iftar – Fas Kitchen

Ingredients

Base

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil  
  • 1 finely chopped onion   
  • 3 cloves minced garlic  
  • 2 cups crushed tomatoes (canned or fresh)  
  • 6 cups broth (chicken or vegetable)   
  • 1 cup cooked chickpeas  
  • ½ cup lentils (brown or green)  
  • ½ cup vermicelli noodles OR rice   
  • 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour mixed with ¼ cup water (for thickening)  
  • Juice of 1 lemon 

Spice Mixture

  • 1 teaspoon cumin   
  • ½ teaspoon turmeric  
  • ½ teaspoon cinnamon  
  • 1 teaspoon paprika  
  • ½ teaspoon ground ginger  
  • ½ teaspoon salt   
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper  
  • ¼ cup fresh cilantro OR 1 tablespoon dried  
  • ¼ cup fresh parsley OR 2 tablespoons dried  

Instructions

  1. Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add onion and cook until soft. Add in garlic and stir until fragrant.   
  2. Mix in cumin, turmeric, cinnamon, paprika, and ginger. Continue stirring for 1 minute, then add in crushed tomatoes. Allow it to simmer for 5 minutes.   
  3. Pour in broth, lentils, and chickpeas. Simmer for 30-40 minutes or until the lentils are tender.   
  4. In a separate bowl, mix flour with water until smooth. Slowly add to the soup mix while stirring.   
  5. Add in noodles or rice and allow to fully cook(about 5 minutes).  
  6. Stir in cilantro and parsley, then squeeze fresh lemon juice into the soup.  
  7. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.   
  8. Serve with bread or dates and enjoy