Famous for its spices and its location sitting to the west of North Africa on the Mediterranean Sea, Morocco has a rich and storied tradition of flavorful food. Moroccan cuisine is filled with amazing flavors, mouthwatering spices, and unexpected ingredient combinations. Sweet and savory, rich yet light, local yet global, Moroccan cuisine is complex and vibrant. Morocco’s location has resulted in a food scene that takes in influences and ingredients from neighboring countries and then uses them to create something completely new and deliciously unique. The tagine, a distinctly Moroccan clay dish with a cone-shaped lid, has become famous worldwide for the flavorful meals it yields. However, you don't need one to make any of these meals. To kickstart your exploration of Moroccan cuisine, we’ve rounded up a list of our favorite Moroccan recipes for you to try at home! Ready to get cooking?
#1 Couscous Bidaoui (Moroccan Couscous with Seven Vegetables)
Onions, carrots, pumpkin, zucchini, turnips, cabbage, and chickpeas are steamed alongside your choice of lamb, beef, or chicken. (Alternatively, you can omit the meat entirely for a vegetarian dish.) The couscous is steamed multiple times until it is flavorful, fluffy, and fragrant, then drizzled with a rich broth seasoned with ginger, peppers, and turmeric and served warm. Ready to enjoy this Moroccan feast at home?
#2 Harira (Moroccan Lentil and Chickpea Soup)
Tomatoes, chickpeas, and lentils form the bulk of this traditional Moroccan soup. It’s thickened with a flour-and-water slurry that gives it a unique silken texture and flavored with warming spices like ginger, cinnamon, and turmeric. Vermicelli noodles and meat add bulk and flavor, but can easily be omitted if you prefer. Want to learn how to make this Moroccan soup at home?
#3 Moroccan Chicken Tagine
Moroccan Chicken Tagine is a slow-cooked dish chock-full of incredible flavor. Succulent meat, vegetables, and spices are married together to create a one-of-a-kind taste. Traditionally, this dish is cooked in a tagine, a type of clay cooking vessel, but if you don’t want to purchase one, you can use a Dutch oven or a slow cooker. Want to try your hand at this classic Moroccan fare?
#4 Bessara
This Moroccan fava bean dish can be enjoyed as a dip or a soup. Simple, hearty, and delicious, the rich flavors of garlic, olive oil, paprika, and cumin elevate this dish to something truly special. We recommend enjoying it with a slice of crusty bread. Want to learn how to make this Moroccan recipe in your own kitchen?
#5 Zaalouk
This popular cooked salad is made with smoky roasted eggplants and tomatoes. Paprika, cumin, garlic, and herbs create that uniquely Moroccan flavor. Like many Moroccan salads, it’s usually enjoyed as a dip with Moroccan bread. Want to learn how to make this taste of Morocco at home?
#6 Seffa Medfouna
Saffron-flavored chicken is tucked beneath a mountain of steamed, broken vermicelli and garnished with raisins, cinnamon, ground almonds, and powdered sugar. You can also use couscous, if you prefer. Want to learn how to make this sweet and savory Moroccan recipe in your own kitchen?
#7 Loubia (Moroccan Stewed White Beans)
White beans are stewed with tomato, onions, garlic, herbs, and a blend of warm spices for a simple, yet satisfying dish. This vegan-friendly meal comes together in less than an hour and makes the perfect lunch or dinner on a chilly winter’s day. Ready to learn how to make this Moroccan classic at home?
#8 Moroccan Orange Cake
Fresh oranges are juiced and zested to make this flavorful, moist cake. It features a fluffy crumb and a zesty, sweet flavor that works just as well as a dessert as it does as a tea accompaniment. Want to learn how to make this delicious Moroccan dessert at home?
#9 Honey-Dipped Almond Briouat
Sweet, buttery, and nutty, these Moroccan pastries are made with crispy, delicate phyllo dough sheets filled with almond paste. Each pastry is then fried and tossed in honey mixed with orange blossom water. Ready to make this delicious Moroccan dessert recipe at home?
#10 Moroccan Orange and Cinnamon Dessert Salad
Light, sweet, and bursting with complementary flavors, this Moroccan dessert salad is the perfect end to nearly any meal, but works especially well in the summertime. Navel oranges are peeled, cleaned of all pith, and sliced. Then they’re tossed in orange flower water, sprinkled with cinnamon, and chilled. Serve yours cold with a little extra dash of cinnamon for the most authentic presentation. While not traditional, you can add a side of vanilla ice cream or sprinkle on some chopped walnuts or dates if you prefer. Ready to learn how to make this sweet and refreshing Moroccan dessert at home?
Bonus! Moroccan Mint Lemonade
Moroccan mint lemonade is exactly what it sounds like. Sweet, cooling lemonade is made even more refreshing by blending in fresh mint leaves. Served at restaurants in Morocco, this alcohol-free beverage is a great way to cool off on a hot day no matter where in the world you live! Ready to learn how to make this Moroccan drink recipe at home?
Enjoy!