Description
A quick, hearty, and flavorful Turkish lentil soup that’s ready in just 30 minutes. Packed with healthy ingredients like red lentils, carrots, and celery, this soup is perfect for a weeknight meal.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 large onion, finely chopped
- 2 carrots, peeled and finely chopped
- 2 celery stalks, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon dried mint
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 cup red lentils, rinsed thoroughly
- 6 cups vegetable broth (or chicken broth)
- 1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- Fresh lemon wedges, for serving
- Fresh parsley or cilantro, chopped, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- 1. Heat the olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the chopped onion, carrots, and celery. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables have softened, about 5-7 minutes.
- 2. Stir in the minced garlic, cumin, dried mint, and red pepper flakes (if using). Cook for another minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
- 3. Add the rinsed red lentils to the pot. Pour in the vegetable broth and the can of diced tomatoes (with their juice). Stir everything together. Bring the mixture to a boil.
- 4. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let it simmer for 15-20 minutes, or until the lentils are tender and have started to break down. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
- 5. Season the soup generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper to your taste. You can use an immersion blender to partially blend it for a smoother texture if desired.
- 6. Ladle the hot soup into bowls. Squeeze fresh lemon juice over each serving and garnish with chopped fresh parsley or cilantro, if desired.
Notes
Store cooled soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. For longer storage, freeze for up to 3 months. To reheat, gently warm on the stovetop or in the microwave. Add a splash more broth or water if the soup has thickened too much.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Turkish
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 cups
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 700mg
- Fat: 5g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 15g
- Protein: 15g