10 Traditional Moroccan Soups to Warm Your Soul

When the air turns crisp and your heart yearns for comfort, there’s nothing quite like a steaming bowl of soup to bring you back to life. In Moroccan culture, soup is more than just a meal—it’s a celebration of flavor, family, and age-old traditions. From bustling medinas to cozy Berber homes in the mountains, Traditional Moroccan Soups are always served with warmth, spice, and love.

In this blog post, you’ll discover 10 soul-warming Traditional Moroccan Soups that you can easily recreate in your own kitchen. Whether you’re Moroccan or simply in love with Moroccan cuisine, these soups are sure to add an authentic touch to your table.

1. Harira – The Queen of Traditional Moroccan Soups

Harira is arguably the most iconic Moroccan soup. It’s often served during Ramadan to break the fast, but it’s cherished year-round.

Ingredients:

• Tomatoes, chickpeas, lentils
• Lamb or beef (optional)
• Fresh herbs (cilantro, parsley, celery)
• Spices: ginger, turmeric, cinnamon, pepper
• Vermicelli or rice
• A touch of lemon and smen (fermented butter)

How to Make It:

1. Sauté onions and meat with oil and spices.
2. Add chopped tomatoes, herbs, and legumes.
3. Simmer until the lentils and chickpeas soften.
4. Stir in the flour-thickened tomato base and vermicelli.
5. Cook until thick, then add lemon juice before serving.

Tip: Serve with dates and chebakia during Ramadan for the full experience.

2. Bissara – The Humble Fava Bean Soup

Simple yet deeply satisfying, Bissara is made from dried fava beans and is often served with olive oil and cumin.

Steps:

1. Soak dried fava beans overnight.
2. Cook with garlic, olive oil, and cumin until soft.
3. Blend into a smooth, creamy texture.
4. Garnish with a drizzle of olive oil and a sprinkle of paprika and cumin.

Perfect for breakfast or a light dinner with warm Moroccan khobz (bread).

3. Chorba Dial Hout – Moroccan Fish Soup

A coastal favorite, Chorba Dial Hout is a hearty seafood soup with rich tomato and spice notes.

Steps:

1. Sauté onions, garlic, and tomatoes in olive oil.
2. Add fish (usually white fish) and Moroccan spices like ras el hanout and paprika.
3. Pour in fish stock or water and simmer.
4. Add vermicelli or rice and finish with fresh parsley and lemon juice.

Pro Tip: Use shrimp or calamari for a richer seafood flavor.

4. Loubia – White Bean Stew

Loubia is a comforting white bean stew often flavored with lamb or beef, and perfect on chilly days.

Steps:

1. Soak white beans overnight.
2. Cook with tomatoes, garlic, and spices like cumin and paprika.
3. Add chunks of lamb or beef (optional) and simmer until tender.
4. Serve with olive oil and fresh bread.

This stew is thick enough to be a meal on its own.

5. Adas – Moroccan Lentil Soup

Adas is a fragrant lentil soup that’s quick, healthy, and protein-packed.

Steps:

1. Cook green or brown lentils with onions, garlic, and tomatoes.
2. Add cumin, coriander, and turmeric.
3. Simmer until lentils are soft.
4. Top with a splash of lemon juice and chopped cilantro.

Nutrition Note: This is one of the healthiest Traditional Moroccan Soups on the list—vegan and rich in fiber.

6. Tomato and Vermicelli Soup – Shorba Dial Maacarona

A simple yet comforting soup that’s common in Moroccan homes.

Steps:

1. Sauté onions and garlic.
2. Add tomato puree and cook until fragrant.
3. Add water or broth and bring to a boil.
4. Toss in vermicelli noodles and cook until soft.
5. Finish with herbs and spices like cinnamon and pepper.

This is a favorite among kids and busy families.

7. Hssoua Belboula – Barley Soup

A Berber classic, this soup made from barley is earthy and filling.

Steps:

1. Toast barley flour lightly in a pot.
2. Slowly whisk in water or milk to avoid lumps.
3. Add salt and smen (or butter) for depth.
4. Simmer until smooth and slightly thickened.

Serving Suggestion: Ideal for breakfast or a post-fast meal.

8. Rfissa Soup-Style Variation

While Rfissa is typically a chicken and lentil dish poured over msemen or bread, you can make a soupier version that brings the same deep flavors.

Steps:

1. Sauté onions, garlic, and chicken with ras el hanout and fenugreek.
2. Add lentils and lots of water to create a broth.
3. Simmer until everything is melt-in-your-mouth tender.
4. Tear in flatbread at the last minute and stir.

This is a deeply aromatic, soulful meal.

9. Khoudra Soup – Moroccan Vegetable Soup

Perfect for using up veggies, Khoudra Soup is vibrant, healthy, and packed with flavor.

Steps:

1. Dice seasonal vegetables like carrots, potatoes, zucchini, and turnips.
2. Sauté with tomatoes, onions, and garlic.
3. Add spices (paprika, cumin, turmeric).
4. Pour in water or broth and simmer until vegetables are tender.
5. Finish with fresh herbs.

This is a go-to for vegetarian households.

10. Hssoua Bidha – Milk and Semolina Soup

A light and creamy soup made with semolina and milk, traditionally served at breakfast or before bed.

Steps:

1. Heat milk gently in a pot.
2. Gradually whisk in fine semolina.
3. Add a pinch of salt, sugar (optional), and butter.
4. Stir until thickened to a porridge-like consistency.

Serve hot with a spoonful of honey for a sweet variation.

Final Thoughts

Traditional Moroccan Soups are more than recipes—they’re an embrace in a bowl. Whether you grew up sipping Harira at your grandmother’s table or you’re discovering these flavors for the first time, there’s a soup here to nourish your body and connect you with the heart of Moroccan culture.