Red Lentil Soup with Lemon offers great flavor and nutrition in one bowl. Both comforting and satisfying, the juice merges a roster of fab ingredients.
This delicious soup is one I have made many times. I haven’t posted it sooner, because we eat it so quickly, I never get a chance to snap a picture. I love that it is chock full of healthy good nutrition while still tasting fabulous. I found the recipe on the wonderful blog, The Kitchen The team from The Kitchen saw this recipe posted on Orangette, Orangette describes this as “a quiet soup” and that’s just what it is. Soothing, comforting and very satisfying. The lemon juice is absolutely crucial to the flavor of the soup. It adds a lovely brightness and ties all the rest of the earthy flavors together. So, don’t even think about skipping it. If you forget to buy the lemon at the market, save the soup for the next day, and go and get a lemon!
Red Lentil Soup with Lemon
Ingredients
- 4 Tablespoons Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- 2 Large Yellow Onions Chopped
- 4-6 Garlic Cloves Chopped
- 2 Tablespoons Tomato Paste
- 2 Teaspoons Dried Ground Cumin
- 1/2 Teaspoon Kosher Salt
- Pinch Cayenne Pepper
- 2 Quarts Chicken Stock
- 2 Cups Dried Red Lentils Picked Over for Debris
- 2 Large Carrots Peeled and Diced
- 1 Lemon or More to Taste Fresh Lemon Juice
- 1/3 Cup Fresh Cilantro Chopped
Instructions
- In a large pot, warm the oil over medium-high heat until hot and shimmering. Add the onions and garlic and cook until golden, about 4 minutes. Stir in the tomato paste, cumin, salt, pepper, and cayenne, and cook for 2 minutes longer.
- Add the broth, 1-2 cups water, the lentils, and the carrots. Bring to a simmer, then partially cover the pot and reduce the heat to maintain a gentle simmer. Continue to cook until the lentils are soft, about 30 minutes. Taste, and add more salt if necessary.( I add about another teaspoon of salt and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper. )
- Using an immersion or regular blender, puree about half of the soup. It should still be somewhat chunky, not completely smooth. Reheat if necessary, then stir in the lemon juice and cilantro. Serve the soup drizzled with good olive oil and dusted very lightly with cayenne if desired.
- Source: Orangette
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Susi says
I love lentil soup and this sounds like a keeper! Great color too!
Kim says
I love lentils and have to agree with you on the power of lemon. So many people think they can skip the lemon, but it's what makes the recipe. This looks delicious.
Julie Harward says
Thanks for your visit…I love the name of your blog too. This looks very delicious! 😀
Ana Powell says
Such a lovely and comforting soup.
Great colours too ?
Judy says
What a great looking soup. Can't wait to try it.
teresa says
oh yum! this looks so good and comforting!
Barbara says
I'm crazy about lentil soup, Kathleen. This looks like a marvelous recipe! So comforting and so good for you. I'm copying it now.
Monet says
This looks so delicious. I love lentils. They can make a simple soup so hearty and nutritious. Thank you for sharing this soup recipe with me. Now I just need to bake a crusty loaf of bread!
Faith says
Lentil soup is a must have in Ramadan for us. We have almost everyday. I love your version. It sounds delicious. Thanks for posting this, I am sure hubby and I would love to try it.
Diana's Cocina says
I'm a huge fan of soups, and this will be on my list to try out soon. Well done
PERMANENT POSIES says
That soup looks awesome. I made some brown lentil soup the other day and it was great too. I have never cooked red lentils….and will try it. Thanks for stopping by my blog.
Chris says
I have got to try lentils this winter because this looks fabulous, Kathleen.
naomi {@bakersroyale} says
This is the kind of soup that would quickly be eaten in my house too! Wow-I love it, can't wait to try it.
Rambling Tart says
How lovely and comforting, Kathleen. 🙂 I adore red lentil soup but never thought of adding lemon to it. That sounds splendid! 🙂
Maven says
This soup sounds like it is right up my alley. Am adding it to an over growing list of recipes I want to try.
Love the idea of the cilantro in it as it must add a nice fresh flavour.
Raina says
I love lentil soup, so healthy and comforting. I made it myself one time and it was a disaster. I will definitely try yours…thanks:)
Tasha says
I have made this wonderful soup, and while it is “quiet,” it is also just really satisfying. I made a half batch and then ate it all by myself in under 24 hours. I absolutely loved it paired with some simple wheat crackers.
Jennifurla says
Lemon is such a harcore key ingredient, it just makes dishes. cool soup
TKW says
This looks delicious and has great flavors in it! I love Melissa Clark.
My Carolina Kitchen says
Kathleen,
I just today bought some red lentils because they were so pretty. I wasn't sure what I was going to do with them, but NOW there's no doubt I'll be making this delightful soup.
Sam