Description
Carrot Soup with Chermoula is a vibrant North African-inspired soup made with tender carrots, warm spices, and a bright herb sauce. This creamy, comforting dish balances natural sweetness with zesty, aromatic flavors for a nourishing and satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 lb carrots, sliced into 1/2-inch rounds
- 1/2 large onion, diced (about 1 cup)
- 4 garlic cloves, smashed
- 1 1/2 teaspoons cumin seeds
- 4 cups vegetable broth or chicken stock
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon white pepper
- 2 teaspoons honey or maple syrup
- 1/4 cup yogurt or sour cream
- For Chermoula:
- 1 teaspoon cumin seeds, toasted
- 1 teaspoon coriander seeds, toasted
- 1 cup fresh cilantro
- 1/2 cup fresh parsley
- 1 teaspoon fresh grated ginger
- 2 garlic cloves
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1/4 teaspoon chili flakes
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add diced onion, cumin seeds, and smashed garlic. Sauté for 5–6 minutes until fragrant and lightly golden.
- Add sliced carrots, broth, bay leaves, salt, and white pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes until carrots are tender.
- While the soup cooks, toast cumin and coriander seeds in a dry pan until fragrant. Transfer to a food processor with cilantro, parsley, ginger, garlic, olive oil, lemon zest, lemon juice, chili flakes, salt, and pepper. Pulse into a slightly textured paste.
- Remove bay leaves from the soup and let it cool slightly. Blend using an immersion blender or in batches until smooth and creamy.
- Return soup to the pot and stir in yogurt or sour cream and honey or maple syrup. Adjust seasoning to taste.
- Simmer gently on low heat until ready to serve. Ladle into bowls and swirl chermoula on top before serving.
Notes
- Toasting whole spices enhances the depth of flavor in both the soup and chermoula.
- Use plant-based yogurt to make this recipe vegan-friendly.
- Add a small chopped apple for extra sweetness if desired.
- Store soup in the refrigerator for up to 4 days in an airtight container.
- Freeze without dairy for up to 3 months and add yogurt after reheating.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: North African
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 357 kcal
- Sugar: 10.8 g
- Sodium: 674.9 mg
- Fat: 30.7 g
- Saturated Fat: 5.4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 24 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 23.2 g
- Fiber: 4.1 g
- Protein: 3.1 g
- Cholesterol: 5 mg