Main Course · Dinner · Mediterranean · African ·

Spicy Tunisian Chickpea Ragout with Harissa and Mint

Name: Spicy Tunisian Chickpea Ragout with Harissa and Mint
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 90 min
Total time: 120 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Main Course
Ingredients: 2 tbsp olive oil; 1 large onion — finely chopped; 3 garlic cloves — minced; 1 red bell pepper — diced; 400g canned tomatoes — crushed; 250g cooked chickpeas; 2 tbsp tomato paste; 1 tbsp harissa paste; 1 tsp cumin seeds; 1 tsp coriander seeds; 1 tsp smoked paprika; ½ tsp cinnamon; ¼ tsp cayenne pepper; Fresh mint leaves — chopped; Lemon wedges; Cooked couscous or rice

This Spicy Tunisian Chickpea Ragout is a warming and flavorful dish with a bold blend of spices, featuring harissa and fresh mint, perfect for a cozy meal.

4.1(412 reviews)

·By Ethan Brooks·January 30, 2026

Spicy Tunisian Chickpea Ragout with Harissa and Mint — Main Course served and photographed from above

Prep

30 min

Cook

1 h 30 min

Difficulty

Intermediate

Serves

Ingredients

Servings

Ragout Base

Spice Blend

Garnishing

Nutrition

Per serving

Calories: 267 kcal
Protein: 8.94 g
Carbs: 37.83 g
Fat: 9.25 g
Fiber: 8.78 g

Whole recipe

Total

Calories: 1066 kcal
Protein: 35.75 g
Carbs: 151.3 g
Fat: 36.98 g
Fiber: 35.1 g

Breakdown by ingredient▾

Ingredient	Cal	P	C	F	Fib
2 tbsp olive oil	240	0	0	28	0
1 large onion — finely chopped	44	1.2	10.3	0.1	1.9
3 garlic cloves — minced	13	0.5	3	0	0.2
1 red bell pepper — diced	24	1	6	0.2	2
400g canned tomatoes — crushed	80	4	18	0.4	5
250g cooked chickpeas	410	21	63	6	18
2 tbsp tomato paste	30	1.5	7	0	2
1 tbsp harissa paste	15	0.3	2	0.7	0.8
1 tsp cumin seeds	8	0.4	1	0.5	0.5
1 tsp coriander seeds	6	0.2	1.1	0.3	0.8
1 tsp smoked paprika	6	0.3	1.1	0.3	0.7
½ tsp cinnamon	3	0.05	0.9	0.02	0.5
¼ tsp cayenne pepper	1	0.05	0.3	0.06	0.1
Fresh mint leaves — chopped	1	0.1	0.3	0	0.2
Lemon wedges	4	0.1	1.3	0.1	0.4
Cooked couscous or rice	180	5	36	0.3	2

These are estimates, not dietary advice.

Preparation

Get these tasks done before you start cooking.

Preparing the Spice Blend

1
Toast Seeds
Toast coriander and cumin seeds in a dry skillet over medium heat until fragrant.
2
Grind Spices
Grind toasted seeds in a spice grinder or mortar and pestle.
3
Combine Spices
Combine with smoked paprika, cinnamon, and cayenne pepper.

Preparing the Ragout Base

1
Heat Oil
Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.
2
Sauté Onions
Sauté onions until translucent, about 5 minutes.
3
Add Garlic and Pepper
Add garlic and bell pepper, cooking until soft.
Tip: Do not let the garlic burn as it will turn bitter. Pro Tip: Add a pinch of sugar to balance the acidity of the tomatoes.

How to Make Spicy Tunisian Chickpea Ragout with Harissa and Mint

Total time: 2 h · Yields 4 servings

1
Building the Base
Add tomato paste, harissa, and spice blend to the pot. Cook for 2-3 minutes to develop flavors.
2
Simmering the Ragout
Stir in the crushed tomatoes and chickpeas. Bring to a boil.
3
Final Touch
Reduce to a simmer, letting cook for 45 minutes until thickened.