Mechoui, also sometimes written as meshwi, is one of the most popular dishes from Morocco. And not only for its flavor but also for everything that the tasting of this delicacy represents, with roast lamb as the main ingredient. Below we show you 5 curiosities that will make you understand how special it is for the local population and, why not, encourage you to try it, if you have the opportunity during your trip to this country.
#1. Skewered Mechoui, an Iconic Image
Mechoui involves a way of cooking skinned and eviscerated lamb, for better preparation and tasting. However, the most spectacular thing about its preparation is not precisely this, but the shocking image of seeing it skewered on a large skewer over a bonfire, turning it periodically so that it cooks well on all sides. And since sometimes several or many mechoui are cooked at the same time, contemplating the image of a row of lambs is very photogenic.
#2. Buried Mechoui, Invisible but Very Traditional
Roasting methods evolve over time, and today it is common to cook mechoui in machines designed for this purpose. However, there is another less visual but equally traditional method of preparation (especially in Algeria and in the desert) which is to cook the lamb buried in the ground, over vegetable embers, for four or five hours. Those who are lucky enough to have tasted it can assure that its flavor and aroma are more special, and it reminds us how the different gastronomies of the world have points in common, since this method is not only typical of Algeria but also of the Bedouin community in Jordan or the peasants in Sardinia, to cite just a few examples.
#3. Mechoui Does not Mean “Lamb”
Contrary to what many people believe, “mechoui” does not mean “lamb”, but “roasting over the fire”. That is, although the main ingredient is this animal, the name refers to its peculiar method of preparation, whether skewered or buried, but in both cases with fire or embers as the cause of its wonderful cooking. In addition, spices are added to enhance its flavor, but also fruits and vegetables to give it an interesting counterpoint: tomato, gherkin, olives…
#4. Mechoui, Delicacy with your Hands
If we talk about eating mechoui in the traditional way, we cannot ignore that this implies eating it with your hands. We must not forget that this was a real luxury for many Moroccan families, who it was only cooked on great occasions, such as weddings. For this reason, it was placed in the center and each diner went to the animal to tear off the meat with their fingers, which they later put in their mouth. This was possible because, if it is cooked properly, the meat is so soft and tender that it is easily extracted with the hands. Nowadays, this is much less common, due to the implementation of Western customs, for reasons of hygiene or lack of confidence, but there are still those who eat it like this, as it has been done all their lives.
#5. Mechoui, Symbol of Prosperity… or Not
As can be deduced from the above, mechoui is a dish that symbolizes prosperity, the joy of sharing, the celebration of eating an extraordinary dish, the result of effort and the achievement of a goal. But precisely for this reason, enjoying mechoui can also represent the opposite: the lack of sensitivity in a context of scarcity. This was evident in 2025 when King Mohammed VI, sensitive to the poor production of lamb due to the drought, decided to cancel the ritual of sacrificing this animal, which had reached extraordinarily high prices.
In short: if you have the opportunity to taste mechoui, especially in the company of Moroccan hosts, do not hesitate to enjoy it, because for them it is a very special occasion, which you should value… and savor.
