This Lebanese Style Red Lentil soup is seasoned with cumin, turmeric, paprika and a touch of cayenne pepper … not too spicy but enough to add a little zip! A simple soup made in just over 30 minutes that is sure to become a weeknight favourite!
For years I have been a chicken noodle soup only kind of girl afraid to venture too far beyond. But over the years between travelling, dinner events and meeting new friends I have have had the opportunity to try more and more new flavours. Mostly because my mother always taught me you have to eat what is put in front of you.
Well one day while out at a middle eastern take out restaurant my husband and I were eating in and it was near the end of the day. The owner came over proudly with two bowls of soup, a lentil soup, and said it was on the house. He wanted us to try! Well, of course, I had no choice. At first glance, I was very afraid to try this strange yellow soup. But saying no would have been super insulting. So I dug in. I nearly died. It was the best soup I think I have ever had. I knew then I had to find a recipe that I could make that tasted as close as possible and I think I have succeeded.
One of my other new favourite soups is this Tortilla Soup… chicken is optional!
This soup is very very easy to make and is done in about 40 minutes. It is important to use red lentils for this soup because when simmered they break down much quicker than the green or yellow lentils. The texture with red lentils sort of velvety. I added one medium potato and used a hand blender to make my Red Lentil Soup smooth.
If you like it to be a little more rustic simply omit the potato and the blender. Want a more brothy soup? Add more broth. This recipe is so accommodating it is very easy to make it whatever you like.
What to serve with Red Lentil SouP
- Warm pita bread or crusty bread
- Baked pita bread pieces that have been tossed in olive oil, salt, pepper and oregano to make pita chips
- A dollop of dairy-free yogurt or if you are not vegan greek yogurt or sour cream
- Additional chilli flakes if you like your soup spicy
- Garlic Toast
- Side Salad
How to Make vegan red lentil soup
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- In a large saucepan heat tbsp oil over medium heat ad add the onions. Sautee until they begin to become transparent. Add in minced garlic, tumeric and cumin cooking for about 2 minutes more.
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- Then add in 1 additional tbsp of olive oil and the lentils. Let them simmer for about 1 minute stirring often.
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- Add the vegetable stock to the saucepan along with 1 peeled medium potato cubed. Add in paprika, black pepper and cayenne pepper (optional) and stir. Let simmer for about 30 minutes stirring often.
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- Add in lemon juice and let simmer 2 minutes more. Use a hand blender if you wish to blend to a smooth texture. Serve immediately.
IF YOU TRY THIS RECIPE, BE SURE TO TAG ME ON INSTAGRAM, #THEDELICIOUSSPOON, AND LEAVE ME A COMMENT BELOW TO LET ME KNOW HOW YOU LIKE IT!
Vegan Red Lentil Soup
Equipment
- Large saucepan
- Chopping Knife
- Wooden Spoon
- Measuring Cups
- Measuring Spoons
- Soup Ladle
Ingredients
- 3 tbsp olive oil divided
- 1 onion chopped
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- 1 tsp turmeric
- 1 1/2 tsp cumin
- 1 1/2 cups red lentils
- 8 cups vegetable stock
- 1 medium potato peeled and quartered
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/8 tsp cayenne pepper optional or more to taste
- 1/2 lemon juiced
Instructions
- Heat 2 tbsp of olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the chopped onions and garlic and sautee until the onions become transparent. Add 1 tsp turmeric and 1 1/2 tsp cumin and continue to mix and cook for another 2 minutes.
- Add 1 additional tsp of olive oil and 1 1/2 cups of red lentils. Sautee for another minute stirring frequently so that lentils do not stick to the bottom of the pan.
- Add 8 cups of vegetable stock, 1 medium potato peeled and cubed, 1 tsp paprika, 1/2 tsp black pepper and 1/8 tsp cayenne pepper (optional) and stir well. Let simmer for 30 minutes on medium-high heat stirring occasionally to ensure lentils do not settle and stick to the bottom.
- Add in the juice of half a lemon and let simmer for another 2 minutes. Remove from heat and serve immediately. For a smoother soup texture remove from heat and carefully use a hand mixer/blender to blend the soup to a smooth texture. Serve immediately.
Notes
Nutrition
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Angela Bonin says
I’ve tried this a few times Alisa, not realizing it was your recipe on your own site!!! It’s excellent and reminds me of a soup I would buy for lunch from a food court I used to go to, the only thing I would ever eat from Jackson Square!
The Delicious Spoon says
So glad you like this recipe Angela. We love it too!
SHANIKA says
I always love a great soup recipe and this Red Lentil Soup looks so creamy and delicious! I love that it’s vegan!
Sapana says
This was absolutely delicious and so easy to make — and perfect to make for the week ahead!
Veena Azmanov says
A light and healthy soup. Best option for a light Dinner. Looks so creamy and delicious and flavorful too.
Beth says
This is the perfect dish for these cold winter months! Warm and flavorful but not too spicy – wonderful!
Dannii says
We love red lentil soup and I love this twist on it.
The Delicious Spoon says
Thanks Dannii!