There’s nothing quite as comforting as a bowl of homemade Red Lentil Soup. Simple yet satisfying, this dish is a nourishing blend of earthy lentils, vegetables, and warm spices. It’s a one-pot meal that’s not only filling but also packed with nutrients, making it the perfect choice for busy weeknights or cozy weekend lunches.
Red lentils cook quickly and break down to create a smooth, velvety texture, making them ideal for soups. Combined with onions, garlic, carrots, and celery, they form the base of a deliciously hearty and wholesome soup. The addition of spices like cumin, coriander, and turmeric adds a subtle warmth and depth, while a squeeze of lemon at the end brightens it all up, giving the soup a fresh, tangy finish.
What makes this soup so versatile is how easily you can adapt it to your tastes. You can add greens like spinach or kale for an extra burst of color and nutrients, or toss in some diced tomatoes for a bit of acidity. A drizzle of olive oil or a dollop of Greek yogurt on top enhances the creaminess and brings it all together.
This Red Lentil Soup is naturally vegan, gluten-free, and packed with protein and fiber from the lentils, making it a great choice for those looking for a nutritious, plant-based meal. Plus, it’s quick and easy to make, with a minimal amount of prep, and it gets even better the next day as the flavors continue to develop.
Serve it with a side of warm crusty bread or over a bed of rice for a complete, comforting meal that’s both healthy and satisfying. Whether you’re looking to warm up on a chilly day or just enjoy a simple, nourishing meal, Red Lentil Soup is sure to hit the spot every time.
Ingredients
- 1 cup red lentils
- 1 onion chopped
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 carrot diced
- 1 stalk celery diced
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp turmeric
- Salt and pepper to taste
- cilantro for garnish
Instructions
- In a large pot, heat some olive oil over medium heat.
- Add the onion, garlic, carrot, and celery and sauté until the vegetables are tender.
- Add the red lentils and vegetable broth to the pot. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for about 20-25 minutes, until the lentils are cooked through.
- Stir in the cumin, paprika, turmeric, salt, and pepper.
- Using an immersion blender, blend the soup until smooth and creamy. If you don't have an immersion blender, let the soup cool slightly and then blend in batches in a regular blender.
- Serve the soup hot, garnished with fresh cilantro. Enjoy!
Nutrition
Absolutely delicious! I made this soup last night and my family loved it! Will definitely be making it again.
I don’t like lentils, but my husband does. He said it was decent… so that’s a win, I guess.
What can I use instead of turmeric? I don’t have any and I don’t know if it’s sooo important?
You can use curry powder instead! It has a similar flavor, but don’t skip it; it adds a nice touch!
I don’t think it’s that important, just add some extra paprika or cumin! Soup will still be good.
Can you use green lentils instead? I’m not sure if they cook the same way.
Absolutely delicious! I never knew lentils could taste this good. My kids even loved it!
So easy and good! My kids loved it too, can’t believe it! 😊
Perfect for cold days! So comforting and healthy too. 💚
Wow, I can’t believe how easy this was! Even my non-cooking friend could do it, lol!
Is it really necessary to blend? I like it chunky. Thought it was just me…
I didn’t have all the spices, so I left out the cumin and used Italian herbs. Not quite the same.
This recipe is okay, but I felt like it was missing something. Maybe a squeeze of lemon would help? Just my opinion.
I think a squeeze of lemon would be a great addition! It can really brighten up the flavors. Thanks for the tip!
Lemon? Really? I don’t know about that. It’s good as it is. Sometimes simple is better.
Simple and healthy! I threw in some spinach at the end for extra nutrients.
Too many lentils! it was like eating paste lol.
I followed the recipe closely, but my soup turned out really watery. What did I do wrong?
Really good recipe! I added some chili flakes for spice. Yummy!
I have never cooked with lentils before and this was really easy! Thank you for the clear instructions. 😊
Why does it need so many spices? Can’t just use salt and pepper? Seems kinda complicated for a soup.
This soup is delicious! The cumin adds a wonderful flavor. Will definitely make again!
I agree! The cumin really does wonders here. I added some chili for a kick and it was awesome!
Yummy! Next time I’ll use green lentils instead. Anyone tried that?
Took too long to cook. Why do people make lentil soup? Can’t we just buy it in a can? 😩
I can understand why you’d think that. But homemade is usually way better than canned, right? Plus, you control what goes in it! 😄
This soup is sooo delicious! My kids loved it too, and they usually hate lentils. 5 stars!
I’m glad your kids enjoyed it! My picky eater wouldn’t touch lentils even if they looked like candy. 😂
This soup is so good! I made it for dinner and my whole family loved it. Best recipe ever! 🌟
I don’t usually like lentils but this was surprisingly good. Threw in some chili flakes for a kick.
I followed the recipe exactly but my soup ended up too thick. I had to add more broth. Anyone else have this problem?
I think your soup might just need a bit more broth or maybe there’s a difference in the lentils’ absorbency? Don’t worry, mine turned out great!
This soup is delicious! So creamy and packed with flavor. Will definitely make again.
Cilantro is gross. I left it out and still great. Just saying.
How many servings does this make? I need to feed 8 people! 😅
I made it without blending and it turned out great! Plus, less dishes to wash. #win
Was kinda bland for my taste. Maybe it’s just me? But I tried adding chili flakes and it helped a lot.
Not bad, but I used chicken broth by accident and it didn’t taste right. Next time I’ll follow recipe.
Made this for dinner and it was sooo good! Easy to make too, will keep this in my recipe book.
Yummy! This is a hit! I added a bit of lemon juice at the end and it tastes amazing.
What’s a cumin? Is it the same as curry? 🤔 Never made lentils before.
I heard lentils ain’t that nutritious tho? Is there any truth to that? 🤔
Meh. Not really my thing. Tasted too earthy and I don’t like that.
I used turkey broth instead of veggie broth. Is that ok? Taste great anyway.
Tasty but too spicy for me. Maybe I put too much cumin? Lol. I’ll try less next time.
I think cumin gives it a great flavor! Maybe try using less next time or adding some yogurt to balance it out. 😊
This was okay, but I think it needed more spices. Maybe I’m just used to more flavor, idk.
Perfect for a cold day! I added some chicken for protein and it was great. Will make again!
Why do you blend it? I like my soup chunky! Are you tryin to hide the lentils? 😂
I just don’t understand why you’d wanna blend it! It’s like breaking the beauty of the soup. Lentils are fine as they are, you know? 🤔
I get what you mean! I actually like the texture of chunky soup too, but blending it makes it sooo creamy and flavorful! Gives it a nice vibe. 😊
Super easy to make, I just sliced the carrots instead of dicing. Made it thicker ’cause I didn’t blend it. Yum!
Lentil soup, more like lentil goo. Did I do something wrong? Not impressed! 😒
I followed the recipe exactly and it turned out great! Are you sure you followed all the steps? 🤔
Don’t fret! Lentil soup can get a bit thick. Maybe try adding more broth next time? It should be more soupy! 😊
I tried this, but it was too mushy. I think I overcooked the lentils. Can someone tell me the right consistency?
I tried this recipe but it turned out kinda bland. I added some hot sauce which helped a bit.
I don’t know what I did wrong, but it was too watery. I’ll stick to my old recipe.
Red lentils? I thought they was the yellow kind. What’s the difference? No one told me. It was still okay I guess.
This soup was a revelation! So easy and full of flavor. I added some chili flakes for an extra kick. Will definitely make it again!
I always love a simple, tasty soup recipe! I’ll try the chili flakes too!
Wasn’t really a fan of this recipe. The spices seemed off to me, and the texture was too mushy. Not what I expected.
I made this with my kids and they loved it! A great way to get them to eat lentils. We’ll turn it into a family tradition.
That’s so awesome! I love that you made it a family tradition! Kids eating healthy is a win-win! 😍
Good soup but I think I use too much water? It taste little bland. Maybe cook less???
This soup is amazing! So hearty and flavorful. I added some cayenne for a kick. Will definitely make it again!
I’m glad you liked it! Cayenne is a great addition. Any other spices you want to try next time?
Yummmmm, best lentil soup ever! It’s healthy and doesn’t take long to make. Perfect for winter days.
I don’t understand how people can enjoy lentils. They taste funny to me. This soup was okay, but I won’t make it again.
I totally get it! Lentils aren’t for everyone. You could try using beans next time for a different flavor!
Simple and delicious! I used vegetable stock instead of broth. Great recipe for beginners!
I’m glad you liked it! Vegetable stock sounds like a great idea for more flavor. I’ll have to try that next time!
Why do we blend it? I like mine chunky! Just my opinion. 😜