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red lentil soup in a bowl

Mediterranean Red Lentil Soup

A warm, comforting Mediterranean soup made with red lentils, vegetables, and aromatic spices. This hearty dish is healthy, filling, and perfect for a quick weeknight meal.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 8 people
Course: Appetizer, Main Course, Side Dish, Soup
Cuisine: Mediterranean, Middle Eastern
Calories: 220
Ingredients Method Video

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb red lentils - rinsed
  • 1 1/2 cup carrot - diced
  • 2 medium onion - finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic - minced
  • 2 medium tomato - diced
  • 4 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 tsp ground cumin
  • 1/4 tsp ground cardamom
  • 2 Bay leaves
  • Salt - to taste
  • ground black pepper - to taste
  • 1 tbsp garlic powder
  • 1 tbsp onion powder
  • 1 tbsp crushed red pepper - optional
  • 5 cup water - or vegetable broth
  • 1/2 lemon
  • 2 tbsp fresh parsley - chopped (optional for garnish))

Method
 

Sauté the aromatics
  1. Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.
  2. Add chopped onion and cook for about 3–4 minutes until softened.
  3.  Stir in the garlic, and carrot.
  4. Cook for another 2 minutes
  5. Mix in cumin, ground cardamom, bay leaves, salt, and black pepper.
  6. Stir for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
Add lentils and water/broth
  1. Add the rinsed red lentils, water or vegetable broth, tomatoes, garlic powder, onion powder, and crushed red pepper.
  2. Stir well and bring the soup to a boil.
  3. Then reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes until lentils are soft.
  4. Check occasionally and give the soup a stir as needed. If it is getting too thick, add a little bit more water or vegetable broth about ½ to 1 cup more.
  5. Optional step - Use an immersion blender to blend the soup until smooth, or leave slightly chunky for texture.
  6. Squeeze 1/2 fresh lemon juice and adjust seasoning if needed and stir well.
  7. Sprinkle the chopped fresh parsley right before serving.

Video