Description
Turkish Red Lentil Soup is a comforting and hearty soup featuring red lentils cooked with fragrant spices, fresh vegetables, and a splash of lemon juice. This easy-to-make, nutritious soup offers a smooth, velvety texture and authentic Turkish flavors, perfect for cozy dinners or any season.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 cup red lentils, rinsed thoroughly
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 2 medium carrots, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 4 cups vegetable or chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 2 tablespoons butter or olive oil
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice (about half a lemon)
Instructions
- Prepare the Aromatics: Finely chop the onions, carrots, and garlic. Heat the butter or olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Sauté the onions until they become translucent, then add the carrots and garlic, cooking until softened and fragrant.
- Add Tomato Paste and Spices: Stir in the tomato paste, ground cumin, and paprika. Allow the mixture to toast lightly with the vegetables to deepen the flavors and intensify the soup’s warmth.
- Incorporate Lentils and Broth: Rinse the red lentils carefully before adding them to the pot. Pour in the broth, then bring the soup to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer gently for 20-25 minutes until the lentils are tender and beginning to break down.
- Blend Until Smooth: Use an immersion blender to puree the soup until creamy and smooth. For a chunkier texture, blend only half or pulse a few times. Add a little water or broth if the soup is too thick.
- Season and Finish: Season the soup with salt and black pepper to taste. Squeeze in fresh lemon juice for a bright finish and give the soup a final stir before serving.
Notes
- Rinse lentils thoroughly to remove debris and reduce bitterness.
- Toast spices gently to release full aroma and deepen flavor.
- Adjust soup thickness by adding warm water or broth as needed.
- Add fresh lemon juice just before serving to preserve vibrant flavor.
- Allow the soup to rest a few minutes after cooking for the flavors to meld beautifully.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Turkish
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 5g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 27g
- Fiber: 8g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 0mg