Print

Chickpea Lamb Shawarma Soup Recipe

4.5 from 74 reviews

This Chickpea Lamb Shawarma Soup is a comforting and flavorful dish that combines aromatic Middle Eastern spices with tender ground lamb, hearty chickpeas, and fresh spinach. It’s a warming meal perfect for any season, bringing the beloved shawarma taste into a nourishing, easy-to-make soup form.

Ingredients

Scale

Spices

  • 2 tsp cumin powder
  • 2 tsp coriander powder
  • 2 tsp paprika
  • 1 tsp cardamom powder (optional)
  • ¼ tsp cinnamon powder
  • ½ tsp cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)
  • ½ tsp black pepper
  • 1 tsp salt

Soup

  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 onion, finely chopped
  • 500 g / 1 lb lamb mince (ground lamb or beef)
  • 2 tbsp tomato paste
  • 2 carrots, peeled and chopped (about size of chickpeas)
  • 600 g / 21 oz canned chickpeas, drained and rinsed (about 1.5 standard cans)
  • 400 g / 14 oz can crushed tomato
  • 3 cups / 750 ml chicken broth or stock
  • 1 bunch spinach, roughly chopped (about 4 packed cups)

Garnishes (Highly Recommended)

  • Plain yoghurt or sour cream
  • Chopped fresh coriander / cilantro

Instructions

  1. Prep the Base: Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and finely chopped onion and sauté until translucent and fragrant, about 3-5 minutes.
  2. Brown the Lamb: Add the lamb mince to the pot and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned and cooked through, about 7-10 minutes.
  3. Add Tomato Paste and Spices: Stir in the tomato paste along with all the spices: cumin, coriander, paprika, cardamom, cinnamon, cayenne, black pepper, and salt. Cook for 1-2 minutes to toast the spices and develop their flavors.
  4. Add Vegetables and Liquids: Add the chopped carrots, drained chickpeas, crushed tomatoes, and chicken broth to the pot. Stir well to combine.
  5. Simmer the Soup: Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to low and let it simmer uncovered for about 25-30 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the carrots to soften.
  6. Add Spinach: Stir in the roughly chopped spinach and cook for another 5 minutes until wilted and tender.
  7. Adjust Seasoning: Taste and adjust salt, pepper, or cayenne pepper if needed for desired heat and seasoning.
  8. Serve and Garnish: Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with a dollop of plain yoghurt or sour cream and a sprinkle of chopped fresh coriander or cilantro for freshness and creaminess.

Notes

  • You can substitute beef mince for lamb if preferred.
  • Adjust cayenne pepper to control the spice level.
  • For a vegetarian version, omit the lamb and use vegetable broth instead.
  • This soup stores well and tastes even better the next day as flavors develop more.
  • If you prefer a thicker soup, mash some chickpeas before adding to the pot.

Keywords: Chickpea Lamb Shawarma Soup, Middle Eastern soup, lamb mince soup, comforting soup, easy shawarma recipe