Red Lentil Soup
Classic, hearty home soup prepared with red lentils, vegetables and basic spices.
- Yield
- 6
- Preparation
- Cooking
- Total
- Difficulty
- Easy
The listed times are estimates for 6 servings.
About this recipe
Red lentil soup is one of the most practical beginnings of Turkish cuisine with its simple ingredients, single-pot preparation and balanced consistency.
Ingredients
- 250 grams red lentil
- 1 piece onion
- 1 piece carrot
- 1 piece potato
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1500 milliliters water
Instructions
Chop the onion, carrot and potato into small pieces. Wash the lentils until the water runs clear and drain.
Heat the olive oil in a pot. Sauté the onion until softened, add the tomato paste and stir briefly until the aroma releases.
Add the lentils, carrot, potato and water. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer until all ingredients are completely tender.
Pass the soup through a blender until smooth. Add a small amount of hot water if needed.
Add salt, cumin and black pepper, stir for a few more minutes. Serve hot.
Make this recipe better
Useful tips
- Rinse the lentils until the water is clearer to reduce excess foam during cooking.
- Briefly sauté the onion and vegetables before adding liquid to give the soup a deeper base flavor.
- After blending, adjust the final consistency with hot water rather than making the soup too thin at the beginning.
Common mistakes
- Boiling lentils hard over high heat can increase the chance of sticking to the bottom of the pot.
- Making the soup very thick while hot can leave it heavy after cooling because lentils continue to absorb liquid.
Storage
Cool and refrigerate in a covered container. Add hot water gradually during reheating if the soup has thickened.
Serving suggestion
Serve hot with lemon, red pepper flakes, or a small amount of seasoned butter added just before eating.
Frequently asked questions
Why does lentil soup get very thick?
Lentils keep absorbing liquid during cooking and resting. Adjusting with hot water at the end is normal.
How can I make lentil soup smoother?
Blend only after the ingredients are fully tender, and pass it through a fine sieve if you want an extra-smooth texture.