Spiced Moroccan-Inspired Chickpea Stew with Preserved Lemon

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-21 · Updated 2026-05-21

A hearty vegetarian stew with chickpeas, vibrant spices, and tangy preserved lemon, simmered to develop rich layers of flavor. This moroccan-inspired vegan (vegetarian) ready in about 40 minutes pairs olive oil, medium, diced yellow onion, minced garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 280 calories and feeds 4, 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

• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 medium, diced yellow onion
• 3, minced garlic cloves
• 2 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp ground coriander
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 0.5 tsp ground cinnamon
• 14 oz canned diced tomatoes
• 2 cups cooked or canned, drained chickpeas
• 2 cups vegetable broth
• 1 tbsp, finely chopped preserved lemon
• 0.25 cup chopped fresh cilantro
• to taste salt
• to taste black pepper

Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add 1 medium diced yellow onion and sauté for 5-6 minutes until translucent and fragrant.
2. Step 2: Stir in 3 minced garlic cloves, 2 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp ground coriander, 1 tsp smoked paprika, and 0.5 tsp ground cinnamon. Cook for 1-2 minutes until the spices become aromatic.
3. Step 3: Add 14 oz canned diced tomatoes with their juices, 2 cups cooked chickpeas, 2 cups vegetable broth, and 1 tbsp finely chopped preserved lemon. Stir to combine and bring to a simmer.
4. Step 4: Reduce heat to low and let the stew cook gently for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until flavors meld and the sauce thickens slightly.
5. Step 5: Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Stir in 0.25 cup chopped fresh cilantro just before serving. Serve warm with couscous or crusty bread.