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4.8 from 39 votes

Spicy Lentil Soup

This easy Spicy Lentil Soup is a filling, flavorful, vegetarian soup recipe with simple spices - and you control the heat. A squeeze of lemon adds brightness to each bowl!

Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
15 mins
Total Time
1 hr 5 mins
Servings: 8 servings
Calories: 147 kcal
Course: Soup
Cuisine: Middle Eastern

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 medium yellow onion diced
  • 1 large celery rib diced
  • 1 large carrot diced
  • 4 large garlic cloves minced
  • 1 large baking potato peeled and chopped into 1/2" pieces
  • 1.5 cups red lentils
  • 2 quarts vegetable broth
  • 2 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • ½ teaspoon ancho chili powder
  • ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
  • ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper add more or less, depending on your heat preference
  • ¼ teaspoon Turmeric
  • 2 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice plus additional lemon slices for squeezing over the top of finished soup
  • kosher salt as needed
  • plain greek yogurt optional garnish
  • chopped cilantro optional garnish

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Heat a large saucepan or small stockpot over medium to medium-high heat. Once hot, add the oil. When oil starts to shimmer, stir in the onion, celery, and carrot. Cook for 8 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in garlic and cook for 2 minutes more, stirring occasionally. Add the potato, lentils, and vegetable broth. Turn up heat to medium-high and bring to a boil. Then turn heat down to medium-low and stir in cumin, ancho chili powder, black pepper, cayenne pepper, and turmeric. Cover and simmer until all the vegetables are very tender, about 40 to 50 minutes.
  2. Using an immersion blender, carefully puree the soup right in the pot, until no chunks of vegetables remain. Or carefully transfer hot soup, in batches, to a blender to blend until smooth - and then return the soup back to the pot. Stir in lemon juice. Taste test and season with salt, if needed.  
  3. To serve, ladle hot soup into individual bowls and serve with fresh lemon wedges to squeeze over the top. If desired, offer plain Greek yogurt and chopped cilantro for added flavors, plus warm pitas or flatbread for dipping.

Notes

  • From a farmgirl's dabbles, inspired by a spicy lentil soup I enjoyed in Cairo, Egypt.

Nutrition Information

Serving 1 Calories 147kcal (7%) Carbohydrates 23g (8%) Protein 6g (12%) Fat 4g (6%) Saturated Fat 1g (5%) Polyunsaturated Fat 3g Cholesterol 2mg (1%) Sodium 884mg (37%) Fiber 5g (20%) Sugar 4g (8%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 8servings

Amount Per Serving

Calories 147

% Daily Value*

Serving 1
Calories 147kcal 7%
Carbohydrates 23g 8%
Protein 6g 12%
Fat 4g 6%
Saturated Fat 1g 5%
Polyunsaturated Fat 3g 18%
Cholesterol 2mg 1%
Sodium 884mg 37%
Fiber 5g 20%
Sugar 4g 8%

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