Harira Soup with Chickpeas and Lemon Zest
A traditional Moroccan soup thickened with chickpeas, tomatoes, and warming spices, brightened with fresh lemon zest. This moroccan-inspired soups ready in about 55 minutes pairs cooked chickpeas, diced tomatoes, chopped onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 180 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1 cup, cooked chickpeas
- 2 cups, diced tomatoes
- 1 cup, chopped onion
- 1/2 cup, diced celery
- 1/2 cup, grated carrots
- 1 tbsp, grated ginger
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1 tsp ras el hanout
- 1 tbsp lemon zest
- 2 tbsp olive oil
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add onion, celery, carrots, and ginger. Sauté 5-7 minutes until softened.
- Step 2: Add tomatoes, chickpeas, cumin, cinnamon, and ras el hanout. Stir in 4 cups water. Bring to a boil, then simmer 20-25 minutes until thickened.
- Step 3: Stir in lemon zest and adjust seasoning. Serve with a drizzle of olive oil and a sprinkle of parsley.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Harira Soup with Chickpeas and Lemon Zest take to make?
Total time is about 55 minutes (25 min prep + 30 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Harira Soup with Chickpeas and Lemon Zest?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep cooked chickpeas from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Harira Soup with Chickpeas and Lemon Zest?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Harira Soup with Chickpeas and Lemon Zest for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Harira Soup with Chickpeas and Lemon Zest?
Moroccan soups like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
The aroma while cooking this was absolutely heavenly.
- ★★★★★
Made this for my family and everyone asked for the recipe.
- ★★★★☆
Good flavors but the sauce was a bit thin. I'd reduce it longer.
