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Home » Soup » North African Chickpea Soup

North African Chickpea Soup

Published: Apr 17, 2021 · Modified: Dec 26, 2022 by Gigi & Sersie

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This one-pot North African Chickpea Soup has become my family's new "go-to" meal. It packs a good amount of flavor, checks the boxes on nutritional density, is satisfying, and takes less than 30 minutes to prepare. It's vegan, oil-free, gluten-free, soy-free, nut-free, and delicious!

top view close up of North African chickpea soup in a white bowl with
perfectly spiced with harissa, this soup is high in protein and flavor

This soup could be a lunch entrée or a light dinner that will leave you satisfied without feeling overly stuffed.

North African Chickpea Soup has 11 key ingredients:

  1. Yellow onion
  2. Garlic
  3. Ground coriander
  4. Ground cinnamon
  5. Sumac
  6. Harissa powder or seasoning
  7. Low-sodium vegetable broth
  8. Chickpeas
  9. Kale
  10. Lemon
  11. Fresh cilantro or parsley
top view of ingredients to make North African Chickpea Soup: kale, onion, chickpeas, harissa, cinnamon, coriander, sumac, garlic, cilantro and lemon zest
Ingredients: kale, onion, chickpeas, harissa, coriander, cinnamon, sumac, garlic, cilantro, lemon zest

What is harissa seasoning?

The main seasoning in this recipe is harissa—a spice commonly used in the North African countries of Libya, Tunisia, Algeria, and Morocco.

Harissa seasoning ingredients can vary but typically include paprika, caraway, coriander, cumin, chili pepper, cayenne, garlic, and mint.

Little did I know or appreciate how many different harissa powders and pastes there are. Some have added oil, while others do not.

Let me share some background on the harissa confusion I had.

When I first made this recipe, I used a bottle of harissa powder in my pantry four years past the expiration date. It was a store-brand version that packs a good amount of heat but was stale. I then ordered a harissa powder from one of my (now) favorite online stores that I started using during the pandemic quarantine. This brand of harissa powder is mild, but buried deep in the ingredients list has oil. Sadly, neither are any of the harissa pastes I found.

But the winner is what Sersie used during one of our cook & chat... girls' night in! which is the McCormick brand harissa seasoning. It packs heat and flavor without added oil. Other oil-free seasoning brands include Morton and Bassett Harissa, Frontier Co-Op, and Simply Organic. Of course, if added oil is not a concern to you, feel free to use whatever brand you want.

screenshot of Gigi and Sersie cooking North African Chickpea Soup for cook and chat girls night in via Zoom
LIVE cook & chat... girls' night in!

How to Prepare this One-Pot North African Chickpea Soup

  1. Preheat a large pot over medium heat. Add onion and dry (or water) sauté for 4 to 5 minutes until lightly browned.
  2. Add garlic and spices, and stir until well combined. Cook for 1 minute. It should smell amazing!
  3. Add in low-sodium vegetable broth and chickpeas. Bring soup to a gentle boil, and then add kale or other dark leafy greens and saffron (if using). Carefully stir to incorporate, cover the pot, and turn off the heat to allow greens to wilt. The greens will be al dente—cooked but firm when you bite into them.
  4. Garnish with fresh cilantro or parsley and lemon zest, and enjoy!

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Or freeze this soup for up to 4 months.

side view close up of North African chickpea soup in a white bowl on a wood surface with a spoon elevated above the bowl.
this one-pot soup makes a great light yet flavor-packed dinner

A special thanks to Marie for sharing a version of this recipe. ❤️

Other soup recipes to check out

  • Amazing lentil soup is packed with protein and low in fat
  • White bean and kale soup is also high in protein and low in fat
  • Miso soup with mushrooms is light, healing and nutrient-dense
  • Curry spiced mushroom potato soup is hearty, low fat and flavorful
  • 7-Minute black bean soup is a go-to favorite when needing something protein-packed fast
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top view close up of North African Chickpea Soup in a white bowl with a spoon on a wooden surface. next to a red placemat

North African Chickpea Soup


★★★★★

5 from 1 reviews

  • Author: Gigi & Sersie
  • Total Time: 25 minutes
  • Yield: 4 1x
  • Diet: Vegan
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Description

This North African Chickpea Soup takes less than 30 minutes to prepare, is packed with flavor, and easy on the waistline. It has become a go-to favorite! The main spices in this beautiful soup are harissa, coriander, cinnamon, and sumac.  #healthyveganrecipes #chickpeasoup #harissa #northafricanrecipes #danielfastcompliant #danielfastrecipes #lowfat #glutenfree #soyfree #nutfree


Ingredients

Units Scale
  • 1 yellow onion, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • ½ tsp ground coriander
  • ½ tsp ground cinnamon
  • ½ tsp sumac
  • 3 Tbsp harissa powder or seasoning
  • 6 cups low sodium vegetable broth (or stock)
  • 2-15oz cans chickpeas drained and rinsed
  • 1 small pinch saffron (optional)
  • 4-6 cups fresh kale (okay to use swiss chard, collard greens, bok choy or a combo), finely chopped
  • Fresh cilantro or parsley and lemon zest for garnish
  • Salt to taste

Instructions

  1. Preheat a large pot over medium heat. Add onion and dry (or water) sauté for 4 to 5 minutes until lightly browned.
  2. Add garlic and spices, and stir until well combined. Cook for 1 minute. It should smell amazing!
  3. Add in low sodium vegetable broth and chickpeas. Bring soup to a gentle boil, and then add kale or other dark leafy greens and saffron (if using). Carefully stir to incorporate, cover the pot, and turn off the heat to allow greens to wilt. The greens will be al dente—cooked but firm when you bite into them.
  4. Garnish with fresh cilantro or parsley and lemon zest, and enjoy!

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Or freeze this soup for up to 4 months.

Notes

EQUIPMENT / SUPPLIES

  1. Knife
  2. Cutting board
  3. Measuring cup
  4. Measuring spoons
  5. Large pot with lid
  6. Cooking spoon
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Category: Soup
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: North African

Keywords: harissa powder, harissa recipes, healthy vegan recipes, chickpeas, kale, gluten free, nut free, soy free, daniel fast compliant, entree, soup, vegan, lunch, light dinner, low fat, daniel fast recipes

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Comments

  1. Judy

    February 24, 2022 at 1:32 pm

    This soup is amazing! I couldn't believe how easy and fast it was to make! I know the recipe says 25 minutes, but I think it took me 20 minutes. The smell in my kitchen is off the charts. Definitely making this one again.

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Gigi & Sersie

      February 28, 2022 at 3:02 pm

      so glad you enjoyed it! thanks for sharing your feedback. 🙂

      Reply

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