All our visits to Morocco are foodie-focused. This past trip was the perfect example – we got a chance to see how Khlii or Khela, Morocco’s preserved meat was made. Read the post to see just how Khlea is made, how Moroccans eat Khlea at home, and a special YouTube video on the process of making Khelea, Morocco’s preserved meat.
Our trips to Morocco are always filled with incredible food experiences. We’ve learned all about curing olives, how to make traditional Moroccan Harira soup, gone on a food tour through Marrakech’s famed Jemaa El Fna night market, and eaten authentic tajine. On our last trip, we got the chance to see (and eat!) how Khlea, Morocco’s preserved meat, was made.
What is Khlea?
Khlea, also known as Khlii and خليع, is Morocco’s famous “mystery meat.” It is a preserved meat usually made from lamb which has been cut into strips, marinated with spices like cumin, coriander, and garlic. Once the khlea is marinated, it is then dried in the hot sun for a few days, and cooked in a mixture of animal fat, oil and water in order to preserve it for up to 2 years.
Back before refrigerators were common household appliances, preserving meats served a practical purpose: to prevent the meat from going bad. The need to keep meats from going bad within a short period of time was extremely important.
You’ll still find people in rural areas that rely on khlea techniques for storing their meat, and they often make it large quantities annually, especially during Eid. Today, however, most Moroccans purchase khlea simply because they enjoy the unique flavor it adds into their traditional Moroccan dishes.
Tasting Khlea For The First Time
Whenever you mention khlea to tourists, most people recoil in horror at the thought of eating a preserved meat. There’s a pre-conceived notions of what it’s supposed to taste like. It even made it on an episode of Bizarre Foods by Andrew Zimmern – the one where Andrew visit Fez, Morocco.
While for some it can be a bit of an acquired taste, to us, it tasted a lot like lamb jerky that’s been preserved in a lot of fat. We absolutely love eating it with eggs at breakfast – it definitely has to be one of the best breakfast dishes we’ve ever tasted in Morocco.
Go On A Food Tour in Morocco
Food tours are a great way to experience everything a city has to offer: in addition to trying out a new cuisine and a variety of restaurants, you also get a taste of history. Read all about the food tour we took in Marrakech where we got to explore Marrakech’s famed Jemaa El Fna night-market during the day.
Interested in booking a food tour or cooking class in Morocco? Check out some of our favs below:
Khlea: Morocco’s Preserved Meat (YouTube video)
Just as you see in the video above, the meat along with the fat it has been rendered in, is cut into small pieces, and cooked with eggs in a tajine. It is then placed on the breakfast table for all to share, and goes great with fresh Moroccan bread.
The next time you’re thinking about what to eat for breakfast in Morocco, order some khlea with eggs!
Would you try Khlea, Morocco’s preserved meat? Let us know in the comments below!
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