The Best Dishes You Should Try In Morocco

Couscous: A Friday Tradition

Couscous is another staple in Moroccan cuisine, typically eaten on Fridays after prayer. It’s a dish made from steamed semolina grains, served with a variety of vegetables, meats, or both. The beauty of couscous lies in its versatility—it can be paired with lamb, chicken, or even fish, depending on the region and family traditions.

What makes Moroccan couscous stand out is the rich broth poured over it, which gives it a delicious, hearty flavor. Often, it’s served with a medley of vegetables like carrots, zucchini, and turnips, all simmered in a fragrant sauce.

Tagine: The Quintessential Moroccan Dish

Tagine isn’t just a dish; it’s a way of cooking that’s deeply embedded in Moroccan culture. Named after the conical clay pot in which it’s cooked, tagine is a slow-cooked stew that can be made with a variety of ingredients. The most popular versions include chicken with preserved lemons and olives, lamb with prunes, or vegetables and chickpeas for a vegetarian option.

Tagines are known for their tender meats and well-balanced spices, including cumin, turmeric, and saffron. The slow cooking allows the flavors to meld together, creating a savory dish that’s perfect for sharing. It’s often served with bread to soak up the sauce.

Popular Tagine Varieties

• Chicken with preserved lemons and olives
• Lamb with prunes and almonds
• Vegetable tagine with chickpeas and spices

Pastilla: A Sweet and Savory Pastry

Pastilla is one of Morocco’s most unique dishes. It’s a flaky pastry that’s traditionally stuffed with pigeon meat, although chicken is a more common filling today. What sets pastilla apart is the combination of sweet and savory flavors. The meat is seasoned with spices, almonds, and eggs, and then layered inside a thin dough called warqa. The pastry is dusted with powdered sugar and cinnamon before serving, giving it a slightly sweet finish.

Pastilla is often served during special occasions, such as weddings or large family gatherings, making it a must-try dish if you’re attending any celebratory events in Morocco. Despite its intricate preparation, the layers of flavor and texture make it worth every bite.

Key Ingredients in Pastilla

• Pigeon or chicken
• Almonds and eggs
• Cinnamon and powdered sugar
• Warqa pastry dough

Harira: A Hearty Soup for Any Occasion

Harira is a traditional Moroccan soup that’s especially popular during Ramadan, but it’s enjoyed year-round as well. Made with tomatoes, lentils, chickpeas, and a variety of spices, it’s a hearty dish that can stand alone or be served as an appetizer. Many versions of Harira also include small pieces of lamb or chicken, making it a complete meal. The soup is often served with dates or sweet pastries called chebakia, especially during the month of fasting.

Harira is well-loved for its tangy and spicy flavors, which are achieved through a combination of ingredients like cilantro, cinnamon, and ginger. It’s a comforting dish that’s perfect for cool evenings or to break a long fast.

Zaalouk: A Flavorful Vegetable Side Dish

If you’re a fan of vegetable-based dishes, zaalouk is a delicious Moroccan side you’ll encounter frequently. It’s made from roasted eggplants and tomatoes, which are mashed together with olive oil, garlic, and spices like paprika and cumin. This dish has a smoky, slightly tangy flavor, and is often served with bread for dipping.

Zaalouk is a great accompaniment to meat dishes like tagine or couscous, but it can also be enjoyed on its own as a light appetizer. Many restaurants in Morocco serve it as part of a mezze platter, so be sure to try it with other Moroccan salads and dips.

Mint Tea: Morocco’s National Drink

While not a dish, no culinary exploration of Morocco would be complete without mentioning mint tea, the country’s iconic drink. Known as “Moroccan whiskey” by locals, this green tea is brewed with fresh mint leaves and plenty of sugar, creating a sweet, refreshing beverage.

Mint tea is more than just a drink in Morocco—it’s a symbol of hospitality. It’s served throughout the day, and it’s common for guests to be offered tea as soon as they arrive. The tea is usually poured from a height to create a frothy top, which is considered an important part of the presentation. It pairs beautifully with Moroccan pastries like baklava or chebakia.

Mechoui: A Feast for Meat Lovers

If you’re a meat lover, then mechoui should be high on your list of must-try dishes in Morocco. This dish features lamb or beef that’s roasted to perfection in a clay oven. The meat is marinated in a mix of garlic, cumin, and other Moroccan spices, resulting in a tender, flavorful dish that falls off the bone.

Mechoui is often reserved for special occasions or large gatherings, but many restaurants serve it as well. The lamb is typically served with bread and seasoned salt on the side, allowing you to adjust the flavor to your liking.

Shakshuka: A Breakfast Delight with a Moroccan Twist

Although Shakshuka is often associated with Middle Eastern cuisine, it has a special place in Moroccan culinary traditions. This vibrant dish is a popular choice for breakfast or brunch in Morocco, offering a flavorful combination of poached eggs, tomatoes, peppers, and a blend of warm spices.

Shakshuka’s appeal lies in its simplicity and bold flavors. The base of the dish is a rich tomato sauce, seasoned with cumin, paprika, and garlic, giving it a smoky, slightly spicy taste. In Moroccan households, it is common to add a local twist with ingredients like harissa or preserved lemons, enhancing its complexity.

The beauty of Shakshuka is its versatility. Some versions incorporate spiced sausages or meat, while others keep it vegetarian. It is usually served in a cast-iron skillet, accompanied by fresh bread, which is perfect for dipping into the savory sauce and runny egg yolks.

A must-try during your Moroccan culinary journey, Shakshuka embodies the fusion of Mediterranean and North African flavors, making it a true representation of the country’s diverse gastronomic influences. Whether you’re enjoying it in a bustling café or a cozy home, Shakshuka is sure to leave an impression on your taste buds.