Shorbat Shoofan (Saudi Oat Soup with Beef and Vegetables)
Local name: شوربة شوفان
In short: A thick, creamy soup of rolled oats, ground beef, carrot and celery in a tomato broth with cumin and cardamom, finished with a splash of milk. It takes about 1 h 15 min in total and makes 6 servings.
- Prep
- 20 min
- Cook
- 55 min
- Total
- 1 h 15 min
- Servings
- 6
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 245 kcal
Shorbat shoofan is a favorite Ramadan opener in Saudi Arabia, a thick oat soup that is gentle on a fasting stomach. Oats cook down in a tomato and beef broth with carrot, celery and potato, and a little milk goes in at the end for richness. It is seasoned with cumin, cinnamon and cardamom, and served hot with lemon and warm bread. It is simple and filling.
Instructions
- Melt the ghee in a large pot over medium heat and cook the onion for 6 minutes until soft. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute.
- Add the beef and cook for 8 minutes, breaking it up, until browned. Stir in the tomato paste, cumin, cinnamon, cardamom, pepper and salt for 1 minute.
- Add the carrot, celery, potato and broth. Bring to a boil, then simmer for 15 minutes until the vegetables start to soften.
- Stir in the oats and simmer for 15 to 20 minutes, stirring often, until the soup is thick and the oats are tender.
- Pour in the milk and simmer for 5 minutes. Add hot water if it is too thick, and taste for salt.
- Stir in the parsley and serve hot with lemon wedges.
Tips
- Use rolled oats, not instant oats, which break down into paste. Stir often once the oats go in, because they settle and catch on the bottom.
- Chicken breast or lamb can replace the beef. For a dairy-free soup, leave out the milk and use oil, adding a little more broth.
Questions and answers
Can I make oat soup ahead?
Yes. It thickens as it stands, so add hot water or broth when reheating. It keeps for 3 days in the fridge.
Can I freeze oat soup?
Yes, freeze it without the milk for up to 2 months, then stir in fresh milk as you reheat.
Is this a main dish or a starter?
It is traditionally a first course at iftar, but with bread it makes a light, filling meal.
How long does it take to make Shorbat Shoofan (Saudi Oat Soup with Beef and Vegetables)?
About 1 h 15 min in total: 20 min of preparation and 55 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Shorbat Shoofan (Saudi Oat Soup with Beef and Vegetables)?
About 245 kcal per serving, with 11 g of protein, 18 g of carbohydrates and 14 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 245 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 11 g |
| Carbohydrates | 18 g |
| Fat | 14 g |
| Fiber | 4 g |
| Sugar | 6 g |
| Sodium | 700 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
