Description
Red Lentil Soup is a hearty and nutritious winter favorite that combines simple ingredients into a flavorful, warming dish. Packed with protein, fiber, and essential vitamins, this quick and easy soup is perfect for busy days and offers a comforting blend of spices, vegetables, and creamy lentils to nourish body and soul.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 cup red lentils, rinsed thoroughly
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 medium carrots, diced
- 2–3 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 medium tomatoes, chopped (or 1 cup canned tomatoes)
- 4 cups vegetable broth (or chicken broth for a richer base)
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon turmeric
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Instructions
- Prepare Your Ingredients: Rinse the red lentils thoroughly under cold water to remove excess starch. Dice the onions and carrots, mince the garlic, and chop the tomatoes if using fresh ones. Having everything prepped makes the cooking process smooth and efficient.
- Sauté the Aromatics: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the diced onions and minced garlic, cooking until they become soft and fragrant. This step unlocks their natural sweetness, laying a flavorful foundation for the soup.
- Add Vegetables and Spices: Stir in the diced carrots, chopped tomatoes, ground cumin, and turmeric. Cook for a few minutes until the spices bloom and vegetables soften slightly, intensifying their flavors and aroma.
- Incorporate Lentils and Broth: Pour in the rinsed red lentils and vegetable broth. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce heat and let it simmer. This slow cooking melds the ingredients and tenderizes the lentils until creamy.
- Simmer and Season: Let the soup cook for 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally, until lentils break down and the soup thickens. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Blend for Creaminess (Optional): If you prefer a smooth texture, use an immersion blender or transfer portions to a blender and puree until creamy. Otherwise, leave it chunky for more texture and bite.
Notes
- Rinse lentils well to remove excess starch and prevent gumminess.
- Don’t over-stir to avoid breaking lentils too much, unless a creamy texture is desired.
- Cook gently at low heat to develop flavors without burning or reducing broth excessively.
- Add spices early to allow their oils to infuse the soup base for better depth of flavor.
- Adjust consistency by adding extra broth or water if the soup thickens too much after cooling.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 5g
- Saturated Fat: 0.7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 8g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: red lentil soup, vegan soup, gluten free, winter soup, healthy soup, quick soup, plant-based protein
