Maha's Lentil Soup

Warm up to the comforting flavors of Maha's Lentil Soup, a vibrant and wholesome dish that's both satisfying and packed with nutritious ingredients. This recipe combines protein-rich red lentils with aromatic spices like cumin, coriander, turmeric, and paprika, creating a bold and fragrant base. Fresh vegetables—like onion, carrots, and celery—are sautéed to perfection, while a squeeze of lemon juice and a garnish of cilantro add a bright, fresh finish. Ready in under an hour, this easy and heart-healthy soup is perfect for meal prep, a cozy family dinner, or as a vegan and gluten-free option for any occasion. Serve it chunky for a rustic feel or blend it for a luxuriously creamy texture—either way, it's guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser!

Nutriscore Rating: 80/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:40 mins

Total Time:55 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 medium yellow onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic cloves, minced
• 2 medium carrots, diced
• 2 stalks celery stalks, diced
• 1.5 teaspoons ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon ground coriander
• 0.5 teaspoon turmeric
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 cup red lentils, rinsed and drained
• 6 cups vegetable broth
• 1 cup diced tomatoes (canned or fresh)
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper

Directions

Step 1

Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.

Step 2

Add the diced onions and sauté for 3-4 minutes until they begin to soften and turn translucent.

Step 3

Stir in the minced garlic, diced carrots, and diced celery. Cook for an additional 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Step 4

Sprinkle in the ground cumin, coriander, turmeric, and paprika. Stir well to coat the vegetables with the spices, and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.

Step 5

Add the rinsed red lentils, vegetable broth, and diced tomatoes to the pot. Stir everything together.

Step 6

Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and let it simmer uncovered for 25-30 minutes, or until the lentils are tender and the soup has thickened.

Step 7

Stir in the lemon juice and chopped cilantro. Adjust seasoning with salt and black pepper to taste.

Step 8

Use an immersion blender to partially purée the soup if you prefer a smoother consistency, or leave it chunky as is.

Step 9

Serve hot, garnished with extra chopped cilantro and a squeeze of fresh lemon, if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2265.9g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1237.6

Total Fat 43.8g	0%
Saturated Fat 7.3g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 7.0g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 5922.3mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 176.1g	0%
Dietary Fiber 45.8g	0%
Total Sugars 46.2g
Protein 50.7g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 445.2mg	0%
Iron 19.6mg	0%
Potassium 4840.2mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 30.3%

Protein: 15.6%

Carbs: 54.1%