Description
Red Lentil Turkish Soup is a cozy, creamy, and comforting soup made with simple pantry ingredients. Naturally vegan, protein-rich, and finished with fresh lemon for bright flavor, it’s perfect for busy weeknights or meal prep.
Ingredients
For the Soup
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 medium yellow onion, diced
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 to 3 carrots, chopped
1 medium russet potato, diced
Kosher salt, to taste
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1 teaspoon cumin
1/2 teaspoon coriander
1 teaspoon Aleppo pepper
6 cups low-sodium vegetable broth
1 cup red lentils, rinsed
For the Chili & Garlic Oil
3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 garlic clove, thinly sliced
1 teaspoon Aleppo pepper
For Serving
1 large lemon, cut into wedges
Fresh parsley or cilantro, optional
Instructions
Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add onion, garlic, carrots, and potato. Season lightly with salt and cook for 5–7 minutes until softened.
Stir in the tomato paste and cook for 1–2 minutes to remove the raw taste.
Add cumin, coriander, and Aleppo pepper. Pour in the vegetable broth and add the rinsed red lentils.
Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat and simmer partially covered for 15–20 minutes, until lentils and vegetables are very tender.
Remove from heat and blend the soup until smooth using an immersion blender or a regular blender.
In a small skillet, heat 3 tablespoons olive oil. Add sliced garlic and Aleppo pepper and cook for 1–2 minutes until fragrant and lightly golden.
Drizzle the spiced oil over the soup and serve with lemon wedges and optional fresh herbs.
Notes
Rinse red lentils thoroughly to prevent a cloudy texture.
Keep the soup at a gentle simmer to avoid gumminess.
Always add lemon juice at the table for the brightest flavor.
Soup will thicken as it sits; add broth when reheating if needed.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Turkish
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 230
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 680 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 8 g
- Protein: 9 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg