Soup & salad
Loubia
Loubia is a slow-simmered white bean stew in a spiced tomato sauce, one of Morocco's most common and affordable comfort foods, eaten across all social classes as a hearty, warming lunch. White haricot beans are cooked until soft in a sauce built from tomatoes, garlic, olive oil, paprika, cumin, and sometimes a piece of preserved meat or beef for depth.
It is a dish of daily life rather than celebration — inexpensive, filling, and found on the menu of nearly every small neighbourhood restaurant and street-food stall serving quick lunches to workers and students.
Loubia is scooped up with bread rather than eaten with a spoon in the most traditional settings, making it a communal, hands-on dish despite its soup-like consistency.
Varieties of Loubia
Vegetarian loubia
Region: Nationwide
White beans in tomato sauce with garlic, cumin, and paprika, cooked without meat for a lighter, everyday version.
Loubia with meat
Region: Nationwide
The same base stew enriched with pieces of beef or lamb, cooked longer for a heartier, more substantial meal.
How to eat loubia
Eaten with bread for scooping, sometimes with a spoon for the broth, as a quick, filling lunch — rarely served at formal dinners or celebrations.
Where to try it in Marrakech
Small neighbourhood eateries and lunch counters throughout Marrakech's medina and Gueliz serve loubia daily; it's a go-to budget lunch rather than a restaurant showpiece.
How loubia is made
Dried white beans are soaked and simmered until tender in a sauce of tomatoes, garlic, olive oil, and spices, cooked low and slow until the beans soften further and the sauce thickens around them.
History and origin
Loubia reflects the practical, everyday side of Moroccan cooking — an inexpensive, protein-rich dish built from pantry staples, long relied upon as affordable daily sustenance across the country.
Insider tips
- It's one of the most budget-friendly hot meals available in Marrakech.
- Order it with a side of bread, as spoons are often optional at casual spots.
- The meat version is heartier and worth the small price difference if available.
- It's a good vegetarian-friendly option since the plain version contains no meat.
Related recipes
Frequently asked questions
Is loubia vegetarian?
The basic version is vegetarian, made only with beans, tomatoes, and spices; meat is an optional addition.
Is loubia spicy?
It's mildly spiced with cumin and paprika, not typically hot, though harissa can be added for heat.
What is loubia usually eaten with?
Fresh bread, used both to scoop the beans and to soak up the tomato sauce.