Description
Hearty, healthy Arabic Lentil Soup with Cumin. This easy, traditional, and vegan-friendly dish is packed with comforting flavors, perfect for a busy weeknight meal.
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp olive oil (15 ml)
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup red lentils, rinsed (240 g)
- 6 cups vegetable broth (1.4 liters)
- 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes, undrained (410 g)
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- ½ tsp turmeric (optional, for color and added health benefits)
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Fresh lemon wedges and chopped parsley for serving
Instructions
- Sauté Aromatics (5 mins): In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add chopped onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- Add Lentils and Spices (1 min): Stir in the rinsed red lentils, ground cumin, and turmeric (if using). Cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly, to bloom the spices and release their aromatic oils.
- Simmer to Perfection (25-30 mins): Pour in the vegetable broth and diced tomatoes. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 25-30 minutes, or until the lentils are tender and have broken down into a creamy consistency. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Season and Serve: Taste and season generously with salt and black pepper. For a smoother soup, use an immersion blender to partially or fully blend to your desired consistency. Serve hot with fresh lemon wedges and parsley.
Notes
Dietary Adaptations: This soup is naturally gluten-free (ensure broth is GF) and vegan-friendly with vegetable broth. For extra greens, add a handful of fresh spinach or kale. For more protein, stir in cooked, shredded chicken or a plant-based alternative.
Substitutions & Upgrades: Add a chopped carrot or celery for more veggies and sweetness. Canned diced tomatoes work perfectly and are budget-friendly.
Time-Savers: Use pre-chopped onion and garlic. An immersion blender blends the soup directly in the pot, saving time.
Flavor Variations: A squeeze of fresh lemon juice at the end brightens flavors. Garnish with a swirl of extra virgin olive oil, a sprinkle of Aleppo pepper for a mild kick, or fresh cilantro.
Nutritional Estimate: Nutritional information is an estimate based on standard ingredient values as it was not provided in the original article.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Arabic
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 cups
- Calories: 180 kcal
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 3g
- Saturated Fat: 0.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2.5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 7g
- Protein: 10g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: Arabic Lentil Soup With Cumin, lentil soup, cumin, vegan, gluten-free, healthy, easy, weeknight, plant-based, vegetarian