Soups

Traditional African soup preparations

Recipes in Soups

Explore our collection of recipes in soups featuring traditional and modern African cooking techniques. These recipes showcase authentic flavors, ingredients, and methods passed down through generations.

From quick everyday meals to special occasion dishes, discover how African cuisine uses recipes in soups to create flavorful, nutritious, and culturally significant food that tells the story of diverse culinary traditions across the continent.

Mloukhia (Jew's Mallow Soup)

Originating from the heart of Tunisia, Mloukhia is a cherished dish that has been passed down through generations. This aromatic, slow-cooked stew is made from dried Jew's Mallow leaves, known as Mloukhia in Arabic. The dish is traditionally served during family gatherings, symbolizing unity and shared heritage. Its rich, velvety texture, combined with a unique blend of spices, creates a comforting and hearty meal. Mloukhia is typically enjoyed with couscous or bread, which are used to scoop up the stew. A traditional Tunisian beverage, mint tea, often accompanies the meal, enhancing the overall dining experience.

1 hour

6 servings

Soups

Lablabi (Tunisian Chickpea Soup)

Lablabi is a comforting, flavorful chickpea soup and a beloved staple in Tunisian homes. Originally a breakfast dish for laborers, it's now enjoyed at all times of the day. Lablabi is often served in a communal bowl, uniting family or friends in the warmth of shared sustenance. The dish is typically accompanied by a cup of mint tea, and it's customary to mop up the soup with chunks of stale bread, turning the bread into a delicious, flavorful sponge. The experience is not just about the taste, but also about the joy of sharing and the invigorating aromas that fill the room.

1 hour

4 servings

Soups

Harira (Moroccan Lentil and Tomato Soup)

Harira is a traditional Moroccan soup that serves as the centerpiece of iftar, the meal that breaks the fast during Ramadan. It's a rich melding of lentils, chickpeas, tomatoes, and an aromatic medley of herbs and spices, offering warmth and nourishment after a day of fasting. While traditionally consumed during Ramadan, Harira is also enjoyed as a filling everyday meal, especially in the colder months. It is typically accompanied by dates and chebakia (Moroccan sesame cookies) during Ramadan, and crusty bread on other occasions. Eating Harira is a communal experience, bringing family and friends together over a shared pot of this comforting soup.

1 hour

6 servings

Soups

Hassa Al Seelak (Fish Soup)

Hassa Al Seelak is a soul-warming fish soup that hails from the coastal regions of Libya, where fresh seafood is abundant. This hearty dish is typically enjoyed during the colder months, and it's a common meal for family gatherings due to its communal nature. The soup is traditionally served in a large bowl, and everyone gathers around to share from the same vessel, reinforcing the bonds of kinship. It is often accompanied by fresh Libyan bread, which is used to scoop up the succulent pieces of fish and flavorful vegetables. The combination of Mediterranean spices and fresh fish creates an irresistible aroma that fills the room, drawing everyone to the table.

1 hour

4 servings

Soups

Shorba (Libyan Soup)

Shorba, a hearty tomato-based soup, is a staple in Libyan households, especially during the holy month of Ramadan. It's a warming dish brimming with vegetables, pasta, and spices that reflects the country's Mediterranean influence. Traditionally, this soup is served with Libyan bread, which is used to scoop up every flavorful bite. The communal aspect of sharing Shorba during iftar, the breaking of the fast, fosters a sense of togetherness and camaraderie.

45 minutes

6 servings

Soups

Molokhia (Egyptian Jute Mallow Soup)

Molokhia is a beloved traditional soup in Egypt, named after the jute mallow leaves that form its core ingredient. This dish has roots in ancient Egypt and has been passed down through generations, becoming a staple in Egyptian households. Traditionally, it's served over rice or with a side of warm bread, allowing you to soak up every last bit of the flavorful broth. The ritual of preparing and enjoying Molokhia brings families together, making it a popular choice for both everyday meals and special occasions. While the soup is typically made with chicken or rabbit, it can also be enjoyed as a vegetarian dish by using a vegetable broth base.

45 minutes

4 servings

Soups

Chorba Frik (Algerian Barley Soup)

Chorba Frik is a traditional Algerian barley soup, often consumed during the holy month of Ramadan. It is a hearty, comforting dish, filled with tender lamb, vegetables, and frik - a type of crushed green wheat. The soup is spiced with ras el hanout, a quintessential North African spice blend, and finished with a generous squeeze of lemon. Traditionally, Chorba Frik is served with Bourek, a crispy, stuffed pastry, and enjoyed in communal settings, bringing families together after a day of fasting.

1 hour

6 servings

Soups