Lebanese Lemon Lentil Soup: Nourishing Comfort in a Bowl Recipe
A comforting and nutritious Lebanese Lemon Lentil Soup featuring red lentils, aromatic spices, and fresh lemon juice, perfect for a warming meal that is both hearty and flavorful.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Lebanese
- Diet: Vegan
Ingredients
Scale
For the Soup Base
- 2 tablespoons Olive Oil or any neutral oil
- 1 medium Onion, diced
- 3 cloves Garlic, minced
For the Spices
- 1 teaspoon Cumin
- 1 teaspoon Turmeric
- 1 teaspoon Paprika
For the Main Ingredients
- 1 cup Red Lentils (substitute with brown or green lentils, adjust cooking time by 10–15 minutes)
- 1/2 cup Rice or quinoa, bulgur, or cauliflower rice for lower-carb
- 1 teaspoon Salt (adjust to taste)
- 1 teaspoon Pepper (adjust to taste)
- 4 cups Vegetable Broth (ensure it’s gluten-free if needed)
- 1/4 cup Fresh Lemon Juice or lime juice as an alternative
Instructions
- Heat Oil: Begin by heating a generous splash of olive oil in a medium-sized Dutch oven over medium-high heat.
- Sauté Aromatics: Add the diced onion and minced garlic, sautéing until soft and fragrant—about 5 minutes.
- Incorporate Spices: Sprinkle in the cumin, turmeric, and paprika. Stir well to coat the onion and garlic with the spices.
- Add Lentils and Rice: Toss in the red lentils, rice, salt, and pepper. Cook for 3-5 minutes, stirring occasionally to blend flavors.
- Pour Broth: Carefully pour in the vegetable broth and bring to a boil. Then reduce the heat and let it simmer gently until lentils and rice are tender, about 20-25 minutes.
- Adjust Consistency: If the soup seems too thick, add additional broth to reach your desired consistency and stir well.
- Add Lemon Juice: Stir in the fresh lemon juice, tasting as you go to adjust the seasoning if necessary.
- Serve Warm: Ladle the soup into bowls while it’s still warm for the best comforting flavor experience.
Notes
- You can substitute red lentils with brown or green lentils, but increase the cooking time by 10-15 minutes accordingly.
- For a lower-carb option, replace rice with quinoa, bulgur, or cauliflower rice.
- Adjust salt and pepper according to your taste preference.
- Ensure vegetable broth is gluten-free if dietary restrictions require it.
- Adding lemon juice at the end preserves its fresh, bright flavor.
Keywords: Lebanese lemon lentil soup, lentil soup, vegan soup, Middle Eastern soup, healthy soup, comfort food
