This rich and creamy slow cooker Moroccan Harissa Cauliflower Soup will make your home smell amazing! With exciting flavours of warm North African spices, it's vegan, paleo, Whole30 and keto-approved. Adjust the level of spice to your family's tastes.
Are you ready for soup season? This Moroccan Harissa Cauliflower Soup will get you excited to begin!
Making soup is one of my favourite ways to spend time in the kitchen. I know the result will be cozy and comforting. Soup makes meal planning easy! I always make enough to freeze for another meal. A hearty soup or chowder with a salad makes a nutrient-rich satisfying meal that I feel good about serving.
❤️Why you'll love this recipe
This harissa soup is
- vegan
- paleo
- keto
- Whole30
- plant-based
- You'll want to make this soup just for the aromas that waft through the house as it simmers.
- It's quick and easy to prepare and you can leave it alone in the slow cooker, knowing it will be ready to eat when you need it.
🛒Ingredients
This Moroccan-inspired cauliflower soup is full of warm spices, like cinnamon, cumin and coriander. It's flavoured with harissa chili paste, which adds a little heat.
You'll also need a head of cauliflower, vegetable broth and flaked almonds. Almonds help to thicken the soup, adding body and a rich flavour. You'll find a complete list of ingredients with amounts in the recipe card below.
What is harissa? Where can I find harissa in the supermarket?
Harissa is a vegan red chile paste that originates in North Africa. It’s made by combining hot red chili peppers (sometimes smoked), red bell peppers, garlic, olive oil and spices. Read more about it here.
While it has an intense bright colour, it’s not as spicy as it appears. Store-bought harissa paste is available in both regular or mild intensities, depending on your tastes. You can find harissa paste in glass jars in the spice aisle or the international food section of your supermarket or you can order it from Amazon.
While I'm using it to add flavour to soup today, I also find it a great way to spice up chicken, as I did in this convenient Harissa Chicken Sheet Pan Supper. It's also delicious on burgers! Try these Open Face Harissa Chicken Burgers with Yogurt Sauce for a flavour change!
If you don't have harissa paste, you can substitute another hot pepper sauce in this recipe.
🥄 Instructions
- Cut a head of cauliflower into florets and add to it the bowl of your slow cooker along with vegetable broth, toasted sliced almonds, cilantro, harissa and spices.
- Cover and let it simmer for 3 hours or so, then purée it right in the bowl with an immersion blender or transfer it to a blender.
- Ladle it into bowls, and have fun garnishing it with more toasted almonds and minced cilantro. Add a tiny dab of extra harissa if you like your food hot and spicy!
❤️ Can I make this North African soup on the stove top?
Absolutely. Use a heavy-bottomed pot and follow the recipe directions. Bring it to a boil, then simmer for 45 minutes or until cauliflower is very tender. Purée in a blender or with an immersion blender, garnish and serve.
🍽 Serving suggestions
I like to serve this Moroccan harissa soup with these Super Seedy Snack Crackers, or toasted Mini Keto Buns and this Greek Salad (with or without the chicken). A cozy quilt and a warm fire are great additions, too!
🥣 Kitchen Items I recommend
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🗒 More cozy soup recipes
This recipe was originally published in 2018. I've updated it with additional information to make it more helpful.
Slow Cooker Moroccan Harissa Cauliflower Soup
Ingredients
- 4 cups cauliflower florets 1 medium head
- 3 cups organic vegetable stock
- 6 tablespoon flaked almonds toasted (divided)
- 3 tablespoon cilantro minced (divided)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 - 2 teaspoon harissa chili paste (to taste)
- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground cumin
- ¼ teaspoon ground coriander
- ¾ teaspoon sea salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- ¼ teaspoon dried chili flakes
Instructions
- In a 3.5 quart slow cooker, combine cauliflower, vegetable stock, ¼ cup almonds, 2 tablespoons cilantro, and the remaining ingredients. Cook covered on high for 3 - 4 hours or until cauliflower is tender.
- Purée the soup in batches in a blender, or use an immersion blender.
- Reheat in bowls or mugs if necessary. Garnish with remaining toasted almonds, chopped cilantro, a pinch of dried chili flakes and extra harissa paste, if desired.
Kim T
Can I use frozen cauliflower for this recipe? The fresh cauliflower was expensive and I have 3 bags of the frozen in my freezer.
Elaine
Hi Kim, Yes, that's a great idea! I'd suggest either thawing it and patting it dry, or adding a little less broth if you think it might be too watery. Let me know how it turns out!
Laurie
Hi Elaine- sounds so yummy and easy! We have the Harissa spice from your Harissa chicken recipe. Can I substitute that for the paste? And in what amount?
Flavour & Savour
Hi Laurie,
I think you could do this successfully. The Harissa Spice Mix also contains chili flakes, coriander and cumin, so I would eliminate those spices from my recipe and use the spice mix instead. My advice would be to start with a teaspoon. Then you can always add more once the soup has simmered. Keep on tasting until it tastes good to you! Let me know how it turns out!
Laurie
Thank you- I’m making it today- there were such amazing cauliflowers at the markets last weekend!
Terri Gilson
Your photos are stunning and make this soup look super cozy and delicious! My daughter and I are sort of spice crazy so I'm sure we'd love harissa (we've never tried it) but definitely will now!
Flavour & Savour
Thanks so much, Terri! Harissa comes in different spice intensities, (mild, medium, etc.) It just adds a little heat and some interest to a dish. We really like it. Thanks for commenting!
Leanne | Crumb Top Baking
Love a good slow cooker recipe Elaine and this one looks so creamy!
Flavour & Savour
Thanks Leanne, Yes, it's definitely slow cooker season now!
Sharon
I absolutely love harissa! This is a wonderful transition dish for the cooler weather. The harissa will give it some welcome heat.
Flavour & Savour
There's nothing like a warm bowl of homemade soup on a chilly day! Thanks, Sharon!
Lisa Day
This looks like a beautiful soup, Elaine. I'm adding it to my soup repertoire for when it starts getting cold here in Hong Kong (we have a few months yet...). 🙂
Flavour & Savour
Hi Lisa! I didn't know you were in Hong Kong. It's such an exciting city, with SO much great food! Enjoy your warmer weather and think of the rest of us warming up with soup!
Kristen
I absolutely love harissa with cauliflower - I have a recipe very similar to this and it's to die for. I'm definitely going to give yours a try.
Flavour & Savour
Thanks Kristen! Cauliflower makes a great base for soup, and the harissa just adds some zing! Thanks for commenting!
jenn
Oh wow, the flavour profile on this sounds amazing!
Flavour & Savour
Thanks Jenn! My hubby loves this one!
Lizzy
I love soup season and love that this soup is whole 30 compliant!! I have a cauliflower and all of the other ingredients right now so will be making this tomorrow!
Flavour & Savour
Hi Lizzy,
I'm so happy that this soup recipe will work for you! Let me know how you like it!
Colleen
I am on such a soup kick and it isn't even cold here yet. I love the combo of cauliflower and Harissa in this delicious looking soup! Can't wait to try this. Thanks for sharing, Elaine!
Flavour & Savour
Agreed! There's something about this time of year that makes us reach for the slow cooker or the soup pot! Hope you love it. Let me know!