Easy Middle Eastern Red Lentil Soup
Warm your soul with this Easy Middle Eastern Red Lentil Soup, a delightful blend of comforting flavors and nutritious ingredients. In just about 40 minutes, you can prepare this one-pot wonder that’s not only vegan and gluten-free but also perfect for busy weeknights or family gatherings. Packed with aromatic spices and hearty red lentils, this soup offers a healthy boost while being incredibly satisfying. Enjoy it fresh or as a meal prep staple that gets better with time—perfect for leftovers!
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Soup
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 large onion (chopped)
- 2–3 garlic cloves (pressed or minced)
- 3–4 medium carrots (chopped into big chunks)
- 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt (or to taste)
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 1/2 cups red lentils
- 5 cups water (or vegetable broth)
- 1 lemon (half juiced, half cut into wedges to serve with)
- Chopped fresh parsley (one bunch, for garnishing)
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Sauté chopped onion, minced garlic, and carrots for 3–4 minutes until softened.
- Stir in ground turmeric, ground cumin, salt, black pepper, red lentils, water or broth, and lemon juice. Mix well.
- Bring to a gentle boil, cover, and simmer on low heat for 20–25 minutes until lentils are tender.
- Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
- Serve hot, garnished with chopped parsley and lemon wedges.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (240g)
- Calories: 200
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 210mg
- Fat: 5g
- Saturated Fat: 0.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 10g
- Protein: 10g
- Cholesterol: 0mg