Soup with red lentils + Recipes, Tips for the Best Red Lentil Soup

Soup with red lentils

Soup with red lentils is very popular. Have you ever heard about the miracles of red lentils, which play a vital role in delicious soups, especially in Indian soups? Here’s a more detailed and flavorful recipe for red lentil soup! This version includes aromatic spices and vegetables to create a hearty and comforting bowl that’s easy to make.

Red lentil soup recipe

Ingredients:

1 cup of red lentils, rinsed

1 large onion, finely chopped

2 medium carrots, diced

2 celery stalks, diced

3 garlic cloves, minced

1 can (14 oz/400 g) diced tomatoes (optional, for a richer flavor)

1 tablespoon tomato paste (optional)

1 teaspoon ground cumin

1 teaspoon ground turmeric

1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika (or regular paprika)

1/2 teaspoon ground coriander

1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for some heat)4 cups vegetable broth (or water)

2 tablespoons olive oil

To taste, add pepper and salt.

Juice (it’s optional but you might like it in case you want the food to have a specific sourness) from one part of lemon
Juice of 1/2 lemon (optional, for a touch of acidity)
Finely chopped fresh parsley or cilantro for garnishing

Instructions

Prepare the lentils: The very first step in the treatment of red lentils is the preparation of red lentils. First of all, rinse them under cold water very well until the water is clear. This step is necessary to eliminate any dirt or starch that is left over.

Cook the vegetables: Pour a great amount of oil heating it up in the huge pot and use only the olive oil when cooking on medium heat. Then throw in the diced onion, carrot, and celery greens. Sauté the veggies for about 5 to 7 minutes, until they are soft. After that, add the minced garlic which has been cooked until it is fragrant for a minute, and mix well.

Add Spices: Heat the cumin, turmeric, pepper, coriander, and red pepper spice in a pan. After frying the spices for about 30 seconds, add them to the dish to enhance the flavor.

Put together the lentils and the broth along with the sauce while the lentils are cooking. After the red lentils are cut, the diced tomatoes and tomato paste have been rinsed (on the other hand, using the pot) and the mixture should be stirred, to join all the ingredients. Mix in all the rest of the ingredients. Include the vegetable broth (or water) in the liquid. The contents should be put to a boil, and then the flame should be lowered to a gentle simmer. Assist. With a gentle boiling process of 25 to 30 minutes, the lentils will absorb water, and the soup will thicken.

Season it First and Adjust: The flavor of the soup is not too much because no extra ingredients are added. For smoother soup consistency, use an immersion blender and blend the soup partially or fully depending on your preference. If you like a chunky soup you can also omit this step.

Incorporate Lemon Juice (Optional): Yellow lemons will not only visually impress the table but the juice will also bring brightness and the perfect balance of flavor to your salad, which is great with the addition of sun-ripened lemons.

Serve: You can pour the soup into the bowls and add the finely chopped parsley or cilantro on top. Serve it piping hot along with a crunchy bread or pita on the side.

Tips for the Best Red Lentil Soup

Now I offer you tips to make your soup more delicious.

Thickness Adjustment: Initially, if the soup has become solid, add some more water or broth to reach the required consistency.

If it isn’t really thin, then let the pot stay in a while so that some of the liquid can evaporate out. Make it Creamier: Applying coconut milk with one tablespoon of yogurt gives a thicker and creamier texture to the soup.

Add Greens: Tossing in some growing spinach or kale at the end of cooking will not only add more nutrition but also will color the dish green.
Flavor Variations: You can choose other spices, such as garam masala, for the Indian style or include herbs like basil for the table Mediterranean style.

Relish your intimate, revitalizing, and nourishing red lentil soup!

Red lentil

Red lentil soup is a dish that has the ability to warm one’s heart and be comforting and can be modified in many different ways to meet various preferences and dietary needs. The following are some alternative ideas and also, you can make the red lentil soup richer by adding some other ingredients.

 Mixing red lentil soup with other ingredients 

This soup is diverse among all these different tastes and has a great variety of soaps. Most of the theme is Indian recipes, but surely people who have different tastes can enjoy it too.

Creamy Coconut Red Lentil Soup: You can add a can of coconut milk towards the end of the cooking process for a creamier and richer texture. The coconut not only makes the soup velvety but also gives a slightly sweet flavor that goes well with the spices.

You might want to try lime juice or zest as an acidity condiment that will balance the dish’s creaminess.

Spiced Red Lentil & Sweet Potato Soup: Slice sweet potato (or butternut squash) and add it to the pot along with the lentils. Sweet potato gives a natural sweetness that is the perfect match with the earthiness of lentils.

Spice it up with warm spices like cinnamon or nutmeg for a more autumnal taste.

Red Lentil & Spinach Soup: Toss in a few handfuls of fresh spinach (or kale) in the last few minutes of cooking. The greens will quickly turn soft, contributing not only extra nutrients but also a bright green color to the soup. For a Mediterranean flavor, add a few feta cheese and olive oil on top.

Moroccan-inspired red lentil soup: The North African version of this dish is prepared with spices like ground ginger, cinnamon, and a little saffron. To make it a little hot, use harissa (a chili paste originating from North Africa). Fresh cilantro, mint, or a dollop of Greek yogurt can be used to neutralize the spices.

Red Lentil & Carrot Ginger Soup: Add chopped carrots and a tablespoon of freshly grated ginger. This brings in a subtle sweetness and a warm, spicy kick that is just right for the cold season. Blend the soup to get a smooth, creamy consistency, and finish with a swirl of Greek yogurt or coconut cream.

Indian-Style Red Lentil Dal Soup: Add Indian spices such as garam masala, curry leaves, and mustard seeds to your lentil soup for a delicious dal-style soup. However, one can enhance their soup by tempering the spices first in hot oil and then adding them to the soup. If you want to make your meal heartier, serve it with steamed basmati rice or naan on the side.

Tomato & Red Lentil Soup: Nevertheless, you can put in the soup one can of crushed tomatoes or one can of tomato paste in addition to the lentils. Richness and strength are added to the hearty soup by the acidity coming from the tomatoes. Roasting fresh tomatoes, garlic, and onions is also an option; this way you will add a deeper, smoky flavor to the soup with red lentils.