Mediterranean Lentil Soup

User Reviews

5

3 reviews
Excellent

Mediterranean Lentil Soup

This hearty Mediterranean Lentil Soup is a fusion of Middle Eastern, Moroccan, and Israeli flavors. With earthy hawaij seasoning, this soup combines ground lamb and fresh produce for a stew that packs in the nutrition without skimping on deliciousness. Serve alongside my Mediterranean Chickpea Salad for a full meal experience!

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Ingredients

Servings
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 cup onion diced, sweet yellow
  • 1 cup leek white parts, chopped
  • salt to taste, sea salt
  • black pepper to taste
  • 1 cup carrot diced
  • 1 red bell pepper seeded and diced
  • 6 garlic minced, cloves
  • 1 lb lamb ground
  • 2 tablespoons hawaij
  • 2 teaspoons cumin ground
  • 1 ½ teaspoons ground coriander
  • teaspoon nutmeg
  • 6 cups vegetable broth low-sodium
  • 1 ½ cups green lentils rinsed
  • 1 lb sweet potato peeled and cubed
  • ¼ cup harissa paste with preserved lemon
  • 2 ½ cups baby spinach chiffonade
  • 1 cup Greek yogurt for serving
  • 1 Fresno chile pepper sliced, for serving
  • 1 handful cilantro roughly torn, for serving, fresh

Instructions

  1. Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the onion and leeks, sprinkle with salt and pepper, and cook until softened and golden, about 5 minutes. Add the carrot and bell pepper and cook for an additional 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, then add the garlic and cook for 1 minute more, or until the garlic is fragrant.
  2. Add the ground lamb and cook until no longer pink, breaking up the meat as it browns, about 5 minutes. Add the hawaij, cumin, coriander, and nutmeg, then stir for 1 minute. Add the broth, lentils, sweet potatoes, and harissa paste with preserved lemon and stir until combined. Bring mixture to a low boil then reduce heat to a simmer and cook, covered, for 45 minutes, or until lentils are cooked and potatoes are softened.
  3. Adjust seasoning as desired, then stir in spinach until wilted and serve with a dollop of Greek yogurt, red chiles, and cilantro.

Notes

  • I use a hawaij seasoning blend from New York Shuk, but you can create your own mixture using turmeric, cumin, black pepper, coriander, cardamom, and cloves.
  • I also incorporate New York Shuk's harissa paste with preserved lemon, but if you only have traditional harissa paste on-hand, add in 2 teaspoons of lemon zest and a pinch of sea salt to mimic the preserved lemon.
  • If you only have harissa powder on-hand, start by adding 1 tablespoon to the soup with the regular seasonings and after simmering, adjust to your desired level of heat. With the paste as listed, there should be a nice punch of heat, but it shouldn't be overwhelming.
  • Feel free to use ground beef instead of lamb if you can't find any locally. 
  • I recommend grating whole nutmeg instead of using ground, the flavor is superior!

Nutrition Information

Show Details
Calories 576kcal (29%) Carbohydrates 60g (20%) Protein 31g (62%) Fat 24g (37%) Saturated Fat 9g (45%) Cholesterol 57mg (19%) Sodium 1226mg (51%) Potassium 1239mg (26%) Fiber 20g (80%) Sugar 12g (24%) Vitamin A 16980IU (340%) Vitamin C 40mg (44%) Calcium 149mg (15%) Iron 7mg (39%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 6Serving

Amount Per Serving

Calories 576 kcal

% Daily Value*

Calories 576kcal 29%
Carbohydrates 60g 20%
Protein 31g 62%
Fat 24g 37%
Saturated Fat 9g 45%
Cholesterol 57mg 19%
Sodium 1226mg 51%
Potassium 1239mg 26%
Fiber 20g 80%
Sugar 12g 24%
Vitamin A 16980IU 340%
Vitamin C 40mg 44%
Calcium 149mg 15%
Iron 7mg 39%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

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Overall Rating

5

3 reviews
Excellent

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