Cozy Harissa Chickpea Stew
A hearty and spicy North African-inspired chickpea stew with smoky harissa paste, caramelized onions, and a comforting tomato base. Perfect for cozy nights and easy weeknight dinners.
- Prep Time: 12 minutes
- Cook Time: 28 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: North African
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cans (15 oz / 425 g each) chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- 2 tablespoons harissa paste (adjust to taste)
- 1 large onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (28 oz / 800 g) crushed tomatoes, preferably no salt added
- 2 cups (16 fl oz / 480 ml) vegetable broth, low sodium preferred
- 2 tablespoons olive oil, extra virgin preferred
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- A handful fresh cilantro or parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Finely chop the onion and mince the garlic.
- Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven over medium heat.
- Add the onions and sauté, stirring occasionally, until translucent and slightly golden, about 5 minutes.
- Add the garlic and cook for another 2 minutes until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
- Stir in ground cumin, smoked paprika, and harissa paste. Cook for 1-2 minutes to toast the spices and mellow the harissa’s raw edge.
- Pour in the crushed tomatoes and vegetable broth, stirring to combine. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
- Add the drained chickpeas and stir to coat them well in the sauce.
- Lower the heat and let the stew gently simmer uncovered for 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add more broth if it looks too dry.
- Taste and adjust seasoning with salt, black pepper, and lemon juice. Remove from heat.
- Garnish with chopped fresh cilantro or parsley and serve warm.
Notes
Start with 1 tablespoon of harissa if you prefer milder heat and add more after simmering. For a thicker stew, mash a few chickpeas against the pot side while simmering. Slow caramelization of onions is key for flavor depth. Adjust salt in layers during cooking. This stew can be made in a slow cooker by cooking on low for 4-6 hours, adding lemon juice and herbs before serving.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 1.5 cups per s
- Calories: 300
- Sugar: 8
- Sodium: 300
- Fat: 7
- Saturated Fat: 1
- Carbohydrates: 45
- Fiber: 10
- Protein: 12
Keywords: harissa, chickpea stew, spicy stew, vegan, gluten-free, comfort food, easy dinner, North African cuisine