Middle Eastern Lentil Soup Recipe

posted by Lyubomira on February 16, 2018
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Middle Eastern Lentil Soup Recipe – just a few basic ingredients to make this delicious, flavorful and nutritious soup. Great as a side soup or a light meal. Packed with Middle Eastern flavors, due to the combination of two very distinct spices – turmeric and cumin.

 

Middle Eastern Lentil Soup Recipe in a bowl, garnished with parsley.

This Middle Eastern Lentil Soup Recipe requires just 30 minutes to make. I use red split lentils that cook fast and taste delicious. You can either puree the soup after it is cooked for a smoother, lighter and creamier texture, or leave it chunky as it is.

I’m hoping you are not getting tired from the soup overload lately. But having a toddler, that stays at home with me (no daycare yet!), I have to cook something every day. Thankfully my whole family loves lentils and I cook them almost every week. This is why I often alternate between green, brown and red lentils.

Middle Eastern Lentil Soup Recipe, yellow color made with red lentils.

Cooking red lentils is the easiest and I can say that they are my favorite! I’ve also made amazing appetizer dip with them, but I most often use them in soups.

WHAT MAKES THE UNIQUE FLAVOR OF THIS SOUP?

It is the combination of cumin and turmeric.

I do have some Bulgarian lentil soup recipes, that often call for cumin. Cumin is a great seasoning for lentils. But after trying a similar red lentil soup, seasoned with cumin and turmeric I was amazed by its taste and flavor! There is a Middle Eastern restaurant by my house that offers a similar soup and it is the most-popular item on their menu.

Middle Eastern Lentil Soup Recipe, yellow color, topped with lemon.

This Middle Eastern Lentil Soup is very easy to make on the stove top.

All you need to do is cook some onion, garlic and carrots for 2 minutes. Then add seasoning, rinsed red lentils and water (you can use chicken or vegetable stock). Simmer for 20-25 minutes until the lentils are fully cooked. Garnish with parsley and lemon and serve. Fast to make, simple and delicious!

What kind of lentils should you use for this Middle Eastern Lentil Soup Recipe?

Quick cooking, red lentils work best, they save time, take a lot of flavor from the seasoning and create a creamy texture, without the need of blending the soup.

 

 

Servings: 6

Middle Eastern Lentil Soup Recipe

Prep Time:
5 minutes
Cook Time:
25 minutes
Total Time:
30 minutes
Middle Eastern Lentil Soup Recipe - just a few basic ingredients to make this delicious, flavorful and nutritious soup. Great as a side soup or a light meal. Packed with Middle Eastern flavors, due to the combination of two very distinct spices - turmeric and cumin.
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Ingredients

  • 2 tbsp vegetable oil
  • 1/2 cup chopped onion
  • 1/2 cup carrots — chopped, optional
  • 3 garlic cloves — pressed or minced
  • 1 tsp ground turmeric
  • 1 tsp ground cumin
  • 1/2 tsp salt — more to taste
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
  • 1 1/2 cups red lentils
  • 6 cups water
  • lemon juice for serving
  • parsley for garnishing
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Instructions

  1. Heat oil in a large pot or Dutch Oven. Add onion, garlic and carrots and cook for 2-3 minutes, until softened, stirring frequently.

  2. Add in the turmeric, salt, pepper, cumin and turmeric. Add lentils and water, stir to combine. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 20-25 minutes, until the lentils are cooked. Add more water if needed, to thin the soup.

  3. Add more salt and pepper, if needed to taste. Serve with lemon juice, (adding 1 tsp per bowl makes it taste amazing). Garnish with parsley.

Course: Soups
Cuisine: Middle Eastern

Nutrition Information

Calories: 207, Fat: 5g, Saturated Fat: 3g, Sodium: 217mg, Potassium: 485mg, Carbohydrates: 28g, Fiber: 14g, Sugar: 1g, Protein: 11g, Vitamin A: 1800%, Vitamin C: 3.1%, Calcium: 42%, Iron: 3.8%
posted in Soups
originally posted on February 16, 2018 last updated on January 8, 2021
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