Easy Moroccan chickpea stew recipe (vegan) (2024)

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This delicious Moroccan chickpea stew is a healthy recipe rich in protein and fiber. Serve over long grain rice for an easy dinner.

Easy Moroccan chickpea stew recipe (vegan) (1)

This Moroccan chickpea stew is an easy and healthy dinner, rich in plant-based protein and fiber. Using dried chickpeas makes this recipe cheaper, plus you know exactly what you’re eating and you don’t have to worry about preservatives and other additives.

Having said that, if you’re in a hurry, using good quality canned chickpeas will make your life easier and you’ll be able to bring food to the table in less than 30 minutes. 🙂

Easy Moroccan chickpea stew recipe (vegan) (2)

My all-time favorite chickpea recipe is this Greek baked chickpeas (Revithada), a classic Greek dish which requires a 4-hour baking for the chickpeas to develop an unbelievable rich taste and become soft and tender without losing their shape.

So, at first I thought of baking these Moroccan chickpeas instead of making them a stew, but I was afraid that the acidity of the tomatoes would prevent them from becoming soft and creamy.

That's why I decided to use boiled chickpeas and bathe them in a rich tomato sauce scented with classic Moroccan spices. If you want to go to the extra “trouble” you can combine the boiled chickpeas with the rest of the ingredients in a dutch oven and bake them for a little more than an hour at 390°F (200°C).

Easy Moroccan chickpea stew recipe (vegan) (3)

How to boil chickpeas (and other legumes)

Except for lentils which boil very easily, dried beans and chickpeas can be difficult to cook sometimes, because they require a lot of time to get soft and tender. Aside from using good quality and not too old legumes, it’s always a good practice to soak them overnight in a bowl filled with water.

Beans will soften even more if you soak them in salted water and chickpeas in water with a tablespoon of baking soda added in it. Just make sure to rinse them very well before cooking and cook them in a pot filled with soft water.

I remember that my grandma and other women in my villlage used to collect rainwater every time it rained, just for this purpose, since the water in our village was high in calcium and magnesium.

For the same reason you should never salt your legumes from the start, but wait until they’re soft (the same goes for acidic ingredients like lemon or tomatoes).

*If you have a pressure cooker you can skip the soaking stage.

Easy Moroccan chickpea stew recipe (vegan) (4)

Some notes/tips:

  • If you want to use dried chickpeas, the “secret” for making them soft and tender is to soak them overnight in a bowl filled with water and 1 tablespoon of baking soda.
  • Keep in mind that when you cook legumes, you should use soft water (low in ions of calcium and magnesium). If your tap water is hard, then use bottled water for best results.
  • After you boil the chickpeas you can also bake them in the oven instead of stewing them.
  • This Moroccan chickpea stew will also work if you skip or substitute one or two of the spices with others that you may find fitting (allspice, ginger, turmeric, saffron, cloves, thyme are good choices!)
Easy Moroccan chickpea stew recipe (vegan) (5)

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📖 Recipe

Easy Moroccan chickpea stew recipe (vegan) (6)

Easy Moroccan chickpea stew recipe (vegan)

Makos

This delicious Moroccan chickpea stew is a healthy recipe rich in protein and fiber. Serve over long grain rice for an easy dinner.

5 from 2 votes

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 1 hour hr 20 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr 30 minutes mins

Course Gluten-free, Main Course, Vegan

Cuisine Mediterranean, Moroccan

Servings 4

Calories 555 kcal

Ingredients

For the chickpeas

  • 1 pound dried chickpeas ((you can also use canned, cooked chickpeas. See notes))
  • 1 tablespoon baking soda

For the homemade ras el hanout

  • 1 teaspoon sweet paprika (or chili)
  • ½ teaspoon cumin (ground )
  • ½ teaspoon oregano (dried)
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper (freshly ground)
  • ½ teaspoon turmeric
  • ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
  • A pinch cloves (ground)
  • ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika (optional, for a smokey taste)

For the chickpea stew

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 onion (finely chopped)
  • 0.75 teaspoon salt
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 2 garlic cloves ( minced)
  • 2 cups pureed tomatoes
  • 2 tablespoons chopped raisins, or other dried fruit
  • ¼ cup fresh parsley (chopped)

Instructions

Prepare the chickpeas:

  • Soak the chickpeas overnight in a large bowl filled with plenty of water (the water should cover the chickpeas at least by 2 inches).

    The next day drain well and mix them with the baking soda. Let them sit for 20 minutes, then rinse very well under running water.

    Transfer the chickpeas in a large pot, fill with plenty of water and place on the stove. Set the heat to high and when the chickpeas start to foam, skim the foam with a slotted spoon.

    When the water starts to boil, reduce heat to a gentle simmer and cook uncovered for 40 minutes or until soft.

    Drain them and keep aside.

Make the Ras El Hanout:

  • Combine all the ingredients for the ras el hanout to a small bowl.

Make the stew:

  • Transfer the olive oil, the onion, the salt, the bay leaves and the ras el hanout mixture to a pot or deep skillet and cook over medium/high heat until the onion is soft (about 4-5 minutes).

    Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute more.

    Add the pureed tomatoes, the chickpeas, the raisins and the chopped parsley and when the sauce starts to boil, reduce the heat to a low simmer and cook uncovered for 20 minutes or until the sauce thickens.

    Serve over rice or with a crusty bread and a green salad.

Notes

If you use canned chickpeas you'll need 2 cans (14 oz each) for 4 servings.

If you use already cooked chickpeas, skip the first step. Rinse them and drain well, and continue the recipe by making the ras el hanout and making the stew.

Dried chickpeas need to be soaked for at least 8 hours and then treated with baking soda to soften. If you don't add baking soda they will never become soft and creamy, no matter how long you boil them.

The plain chickpeas are cooked uncovered because if you cover the pot with a lid they form a foam and it boils over.

If you don't like any of the spices used for this ras el hanout, you can simply omit it or replace it with one of your liking.

Nutrition

Calories: 555kcalCarbohydrates: 88gProtein: 25gFat: 14gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 4gMonounsaturated Fat: 7gSodium: 1451mgPotassium: 1508mgFiber: 24gSugar: 19gVitamin A: 973IUVitamin C: 24mgCalcium: 188mgIron: 10mg

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Easy Moroccan chickpea stew recipe (vegan) (7)

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Reader Interactions

Comments

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  1. olivesandfeta

    Wonderful recipe Mako!

    Reply

    • Makos

      Thank you very much Marina! 🙂

      Reply

  2. Akhila@Pepper Delight

    Easy Moroccan chickpea stew recipe (vegan) (14)
    Love the spice blend in this Chickpeas stew...its rich and loaded with flavors, I am sure it would taste amazing with some naan.

    Reply

    • Makos

      Thank you Akhila! Naan would be great with this!

      Reply

  3. Stacy

    Easy Moroccan chickpea stew recipe (vegan) (15)
    This was also great! Lots of flavor. Thank you again 🙂

    Reply

    • Makos

      I'm happy you liked it Stacy!

      Reply

Easy Moroccan chickpea stew recipe (vegan) (2024)

FAQs

What is a Moroccan stew called? ›

Harira is a Moroccan stew—or a thick, hearty soup—traditionally served during Ramadan as a way to break the fast. Made with meat, tomatoes, spices and chickpeas, harira is warming and deeply satisfying, so it's no surprise it's served year-round in homes as well as at shops.

What is chickpea stew made of? ›

For this recipe, you'll need garlic cloves, a yellow onion, extra-virgin olive oil, a can of diced tomatoes, a drained can of chickpeas, and vegetable stock. As for seasoning, this recipe keeps it simple but flavorful with cumin, ginger, and cinnamon.

Can I substitute lentils for chickpeas? ›

Lentils tend to have a more peppery and nutty taste compared to chickpeas. However, they still make a great alternative as they are a good source of protein and are similar enough in flavor and texture to easily fit into a variety of dishes.

What is Morocco's national dish? ›

Couscous is considered Morocco's national dish

Steamed above a pot of boiling vegetables, the dish is fluffed by hand for an hour or more to make sure the end result is up to scratch. Served with aubergines, onion and any other vegetable that takes your fancy, it not only tastes great but is super healthy too.

What is the most popular Moroccan food? ›

The Mechoui is one of the most famous dishes of the Moroccan Cuisine and can simply be described as a Moroccan well-spiced and roasted lamb. To prepare the meachoui, the tender, meat of the whole lamb is roasted in dip pits.

What is the liquid in the chickpea can called? ›

It's called aquafaba, and it's (basically) free! When we refer to aquafaba (as we often do in our cookbook on vegan cooking, Vegan for Everybody), we're talking about the liquid in a can of chickpeas. (We're not talking about the liquid in a can of any other beans.

What is the thick liquid in chickpeas? ›

We're talking about that thick, cloudy liquid that typically gets dumped down the drain when chickpeas are strained. Yep–you read that right. It's called aquafaba, and it might just be the ingredient your baked goods and co*cktails are missing.

How do you thicken stew with chickpea flour? ›

Chickpea Flour as a Thickener

When sifted and whisked into hot soup or a sauce, it absorbs liquids without clumping and melts into the liquid completely without leaving a gritty texture behind. It also lends a light buttery, nutty flavor to the soup or sauce.

Should I drain chickpeas before adding to stew? ›

To make this recipe, I used jarred Spanish chickpeas, which is the same thing as the canned ones. Important to drain them into a sieve and rinse under cold water. That way the chickpeas can absorb all the flavors in the pan.

Which is healthier chickpea or lentil? ›

Since lentils have more fiber, lentils win this round. Lentils contain more protein than Chickpeas. Both chickpeas and lentils are great sources of vegetable protein. However, since lentils have more of this healthy nutrient, lentils win this round.

Can you be vegan without eating beans? ›

As a vegan, it is indeed possible to get enough protein without relying solely on beans or soy. While beans and soy products are excellent plant-based protein sources, there are other alternatives available that can provide a variety of nutrients.

What was medieval stew called? ›

Pottage consistently remained a staple of poor people's diet throughout most of 9th to 17th-century Europe. When wealthier people ate pottage, they would add more expensive ingredients such as meats. The pottage that these people ate was much like modern-day soups.

What is the term for both a Moroccan stew and the cooking vessel used to prepare it? ›

tagine, North African cooking vessel consisting of a flat rimmed dish and a tall conical lid. The term tagine also refers to the slow-simmered stews cooked in this vessel. Tagines are a staple in Morocco, Tunisia, and Algeria, both as a kitchen tool and as a major dish in their cuisines.

What is a tagine in Morocco? ›

Both the conical earthenware pot and the dish prepared in that cooking vessel share the name of tagine. History tells us that the nomads in North Africa used this timeless pot as a "portable oven," which allowed them to prepare food while moving from one place to another.

What is the difference between pörkölt and goulash? ›

This recipe is often confused with Hungarian goulash and in fact is often called Hungarian goulash by mistake. Authentic goulash is a meat and vegetable soup where Pörkölt is thicker, similar in consistency to beef stroganoff, and is served over noodles.

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