Go Back
A close-up shot of rich and thick orange red lentil soup in a white bowl, garnished with fresh herbs. The texture of the healthy soup is clearly visible.

Spiced Lentil Soup (The Easiest, Most Flavorful Recipe)

This Spiced Lentil Soup is a warm, aromatic, and incredibly flavorful one-pot meal. Made with red lentils, a perfect blend of spices, and wholesome vegetables, it's a healthy, easy, and budget-friendly recipe perfect for any night of the week.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner, Lunch, Main Course, Soup
Cuisine: Mediterranean, Middle Eastern
Calories: 285
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 2 tbsp Olive Oil
  • 1 large Onion finely chopped
  • 2 Carrots peeled and diced
  • 2 stalks Celery diced
  • 4 cloves Garlic minced
  • 1 tbsp Ginger freshly grated
  • 2 tsp Ground Cumin
  • 1 tsp Ground Coriander
  • 1 tsp Turmeric
  • 1/2 tsp Smoked Paprika
  • 1/4 tsp Cayenne Pepper or to taste
  • 1.5 cups Red Lentils rinsed
  • 6 cups Vegetable Broth
  • 1 (15 ounce) can Crushed Tomatoes
  • 1 tsp Salt or to taste
  • 1/2 tsp Black Pepper freshly ground
  • 2 tbsp Lemon Juice freshly squeezed

Equipment

  • 1 Large Pot or Dutch Oven
  • 1 Knife and Cutting Board

Method
 

  1. In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion, carrots, and celery. Sauté for 5-7 minutes, until softened. Add the minced garlic and grated ginger and cook for 1 more minute until fragrant.
  2. Stir in the ground cumin, coriander, turmeric, smoked paprika, and cayenne pepper. Cook, stirring constantly, for 1 minute until the spices are very fragrant.
  3. Pour in the vegetable broth and crushed tomatoes. Add the rinsed red lentils, salt, and pepper. Stir everything together. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 20-25 minutes, until the lentils are tender and cooked through.
  4. Remove the pot from the heat and stir in the fresh lemon juice. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Serve hot, garnished with fresh cilantro or a dollop of yogurt if desired.

Notes

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Soup will thicken as it cools. Add a splash of broth or water when reheating to reach desired consistency.
For a creamier texture, use an immersion blender to partially blend the soup.