This delicious slow cooker Moroccan chickpea stew is a true weeknight hero, packed with vibrant vegetables and aromatic Middle Eastern flavors.
It’s a healthy vegetarian meal that practically cooks itself, making it perfect for busy families looking for something hearty and satisfying without a lot of fuss.
Whether you’re new to slow cooking or a seasoned pro, this recipe delivers incredible taste with minimal effort. Just a few simple steps in the morning, and you’ll come home to a warm, comforting stew that’s ready to serve.
Table of Contents
- What You’ll Love About This Quick And Easy Recipe
- Everything You Need To Make This Recipe Without Stress
- Time Needed From Start To Finish
- How To Make It Step By Step With Visual Cues
- Easy Variations And Serving Ideas That Fit Real Life
- Common Slip-Ups And How To Avoid Them
- How To Store It And Make It Ahead Without Ruining Texture
- Questions People Always Ask Before Making This Recipe
Slow Cooker Moroccan Chickpea Stew
- Total Time: 2 hours 15 minutes to 6 hours 20 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
Description
This delicious slow cooker Moroccan chickpea stew is a true weeknight hero, packed with vibrant vegetables and aromatic Middle Eastern flavors. It’s a healthy vegetarian meal that practically cooks itself, making it perfect for busy families looking for something hearty and satisfying without a lot of fuss. Whether you’re new to slow cooking or a seasoned pro, this recipe delivers incredible taste with minimal effort. Just a few simple steps in the morning, and you’ll come home to a warm, comforting stew that’s ready to serve.
Ingredients
Instructions
1. 1. Saute the aromatics: In a large skillet over medium heat, warm the olive oil. Add the chopped onion and cook until softened, about 5-7 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant. This step helps build a deeper flavor base for your stew.
2. 2. Combine ingredients in the slow cooker: Transfer the sauteed onion and garlic to your slow cooker. Add the undrained diced tomatoes, rinsed and drained chickpeas, rinsed and drained cannellini beans, vegetable broth, diced sweet potato, sliced carrots, and diced zucchini.
3. 3. Add the spices: Sprinkle in the ground cumin, ground coriander, ground turmeric, ground cinnamon, and the optional pinch of cayenne pepper. Season generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
4. 4. Stir everything together: Give all the ingredients a good stir to ensure the spices are evenly distributed and everything is well combined in the slow cooker.
5. 5. Cook until tender: Cover the slow cooker with its lid. Cook on the LOW setting for 4-6 hours, or on the HIGH setting for 2-3 hours, until the vegetables (especially the sweet potato and carrots) are fork-tender. The stew should be bubbling gently.
6. 6. Taste and adjust seasoning: Once cooked, give the stew a taste. Adjust any seasonings as needed, adding more salt, pepper, or spices to suit your preference.
7. 7. Garnish and serve: Ladle the warm stew into bowls. Garnish each serving with a generous sprinkle of fresh chopped cilantro before enjoying.
- Prep Time: 15-20 minutes
- Cook Time: 4-6 hours on low or 2-3 hours on high
- Category: main dish
- Method: slow cooker
- Cuisine: moroccan
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 cups
Keywords: vegetarian, chickpea, stew, slow cooker, moroccan, healthy, easy, weeknight, plant-based, meal prep
What You’ll Love About This Quick And Easy Recipe
This Moroccan chickpea stew is a fantastic option for anyone seeking a flavorful and nutritious meal that doesn’t demand hours in the kitchen. It’s inherently vegetarian, making it ideal for Meatless Mondays or for those following a plant-based diet. The slow cooker does all the heavy lifting, gently simmering the ingredients to perfection, allowing the spices to meld beautifully and the vegetables to become wonderfully tender. It’s a forgiving recipe, great for beginners, and perfect for meal prepping. You can set it and forget it, returning to a house filled with delicious aromas and a ready-to-eat dinner. This stew is particularly comforting on cooler evenings but light enough to enjoy year-round, offering a healthy alternative to heavier meals.
Everything You Need To Make This Recipe Without Stress
Gathering your ingredients for this slow cooker Moroccan chickpea stew is straightforward, relying on common pantry staples and easily accessible fresh produce. The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity and the robust flavors that come from a few key spices.
INGREDIENTS:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained
- 1 (15 ounce) can chickpeas, rinsed and drained
- 1 (15 ounce) can cannellini beans, rinsed and drained (or another can of chickpeas)
- 1 cup vegetable broth
- 1 large sweet potato, peeled and diced into 1/2-inch cubes
- 2 carrots, peeled and sliced
- 1 zucchini, diced
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- Pinch of cayenne pepper (optional, for a little heat)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped (for garnish)
For simple substitutions, you can easily swap out some of the vegetables based on what you have on hand or what’s in season. Butternut squash works wonderfully in place of sweet potato, and green beans or bell peppers can be added alongside or instead of zucchini. If you don’t have cannellini beans, another can of chickpeas or even kidney beans would be a fine substitute. For the vegetable broth, any good quality store-bought brand will work. When it comes to spices, feel free to adjust the amounts to your personal taste; if you love a particular spice, add a little extra!
Time Needed From Start To Finish
This recipe is designed for maximum flavor with minimal active cooking time, making it ideal for busy schedules.
- Prep Time: 15-20 minutes
- Cook Time: 4-6 hours on low or 2-3 hours on high
- Total Time: 2 hours 15 minutes to 6 hours 20 minutes (depending on slow cooker setting)
The majority of the time is hands-off, allowing you to focus on other tasks while your delicious stew simmers to perfection.
How To Make It Step By Step With Visual Cues
Making this hearty Moroccan chickpea stew in your slow cooker is incredibly simple. Follow these steps for a perfectly cooked and flavorful meal.
- Sauté the aromatics: In a large skillet over medium heat, warm the olive oil. Add the chopped onion and cook until softened, about 5-7 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant. This step helps build a deeper flavor base for your stew.
- Combine ingredients in the slow cooker: Transfer the sautéed onion and garlic to your slow cooker. Add the undrained diced tomatoes, rinsed and drained chickpeas, rinsed and drained cannellini beans, vegetable broth, diced sweet potato, sliced carrots, and diced zucchini.
- Add the spices: Sprinkle in the ground cumin, ground coriander, ground turmeric, ground cinnamon, and the optional pinch of cayenne pepper. Season generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
- Stir everything together: Give all the ingredients a good stir to ensure the spices are evenly distributed and everything is well combined in the slow cooker.
- Cook until tender: Cover the slow cooker with its lid. Cook on the LOW setting for 4-6 hours, or on the HIGH setting for 2-3 hours, until the vegetables (especially the sweet potato and carrots) are fork-tender. The stew should be bubbling gently.
- Taste and adjust seasoning: Once cooked, give the stew a taste. Adjust any seasonings as needed, adding more salt, pepper, or spices to suit your preference.
- Garnish and serve: Ladle the warm stew into bowls. Garnish each serving with a generous sprinkle of fresh chopped cilantro before enjoying.
Easy Variations And Serving Ideas That Fit Real Life
This Moroccan chickpea stew is wonderfully versatile and can be adapted to suit various tastes and occasions. For a touch of acidity and brightness, a squeeze of fresh lemon juice stirred in at the end can really elevate the flavors. If you enjoy a bit more heat, a finely chopped jalapeño or a dash of your favorite hot sauce can be added. For a richer, creamier texture, you could stir in a tablespoon or two of almond butter or a swirl of coconut milk during the last 30 minutes of cooking.
When it comes to serving, this stew is fantastic on its own as a hearty meal. However, it pairs beautifully with a variety of accompaniments. Serve it over fluffy couscous or quinoa for a complete and satisfying meal. A side of warm pita bread or crusty whole-grain bread is perfect for soaking up all the delicious broth. For a lighter option, a simple green salad with a lemon vinaigrette makes a great complement. For families with diverse palates, offer optional toppings like a dollop of plain Greek yogurt (if not strictly vegan), extra fresh cilantro, or a sprinkle of toasted slivered almonds for added crunch.
Common Slip-Ups And How To Avoid Them
Even with a simple slow cooker recipe, a few common mistakes can impact the final result. Being aware of these can help you achieve perfect stew every time.
One common slip-up is overfilling the slow cooker. Most slow cookers perform best when filled between half and two-thirds full. Overfilling can lead to uneven cooking and potential spills. Make sure your ingredients fit comfortably within these guidelines.
Another mistake is lifting the lid too often during the cooking process. Each time you lift the lid, a significant amount of heat escapes, extending the cooking time by 15-20 minutes. Resist the urge to peek until the last hour or so of cooking, or when you’re ready to check for doneness.
Forgetting to sauté the aromatics (onion and garlic) beforehand might seem like a time-saver, but it significantly impacts the depth of flavor. Sautéing these ingredients caramelizes the onions and mellows the garlic, creating a much richer base for your stew. Don’t skip this quick step!
Finally, not seasoning adequately throughout the process can result in a bland stew. Taste and adjust the salt and pepper at the end, and don’t be afraid to add a little more of the spices if you feel the flavors aren’t vibrant enough. Remember that slow cooking can sometimes mellow out spices, so a final adjustment is often necessary.
How To Store It And Make It Ahead Without Ruining Texture
This Moroccan chickpea stew is fantastic for meal prepping and stores beautifully, often tasting even better the next day as the flavors have more time to meld.
To store leftovers, allow the stew to cool completely to room temperature. Transfer it to airtight containers and refrigerate for up to 3-4 days. This stew also freezes exceptionally well. Portion cooled stew into freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags, leaving a little headspace. It can be frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw frozen stew overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
To reheat, gently warm the stew on the stovetop over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until heated through. If it seems too thick, you can add a splash of vegetable broth or water to reach your desired consistency. You can also reheat individual portions in the microwave, stirring halfway through, until hot. The texture of the vegetables holds up very well after reheating, making it a convenient and delicious option for future meals.
Questions People Always Ask Before Making This Recipe
Here are some common questions that often come up when preparing this flavorful slow cooker Moroccan chickpea stew.
Can I add meat to this stew? While this recipe is designed as a vegetarian dish, you can certainly add meat. Boneless, skinless chicken thighs or lamb stew meat would work well. Brown the meat before adding it to the slow cooker with the other ingredients.
**What if I don’t have
FAQs
- Can I make these ahead? Yes—prep ahead, refrigerate, then serve when ready.
- How long do leftovers last? Store covered in the fridge for 3–4 days for best texture.
- Can I adjust sweetness? Yes—add more or less sweetener to taste.
- Can I change the fruit? Yes—swap strawberries for blueberries, raspberries, or sliced banana.
