Best Lentil Soup Recipe
Total Time
50 minutes
Prep Time
20 minutes
Cook Time
30 minutes
Rating
5 out of 5 stars
(17)
Ingredients
7 servings
- 1 cup lentils ( brown lentils, green lentils, red lentils, black lentils, French lentils ) See notes.
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger (1 1/2 -2 inches) minced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil, coconut oil or ghee
- 1 onion, chopped
- 1 teaspoon whole cumin seeds, or ground cumin
- 1 stalk celery, diced
- 1 large carrot, diced
- 1/2 cup pureed tomatoes (or diced tomatoes or crushed tomatoes)
- 1 tablespoon garam masala ( use store-bought, make your own, or use curry powder)
- 1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric
- 1 teaspoon fenugreek leaves (optional, but elevates)
- ½ -½ teaspoon cayenne, adjust to preference
- 1 – 1 1/2 teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 4 cups broth- veggie broth or chicken stock
- 1/2 cup coconut milk,or cream (optional but makes it soft and balanced)
- garnish with fresh cilantro or fresh parsley and a squeeze of lemon if you like.
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Preparation
Step 1
Soak lentils in water for 30 minutes or up to a few hours. This is an optional step that allows the lentils to cook more quickly.
Step 2
Smash peeled garlic cloves and ginger together into a paste with a mortar and pestle (alternatively you can mince until super fine).
Step 3
Sauté onions in the coconut oil over medium high heat, for 4- 5 minutes until soft and caramelized. Add cumin, celery and carrots and stir in for another few minutes. Add garlic and ginger and stir for 2-3 minutes. Add tomato puree, garam masala, turmeric, fenugreek leaves, cayenne, salt, pepper. Stir until mixed.
Step 4
Add lentils and broth. Simmer covered 20-40 minutes (depending on lentil size) until lentils are tender. If you like a creamier consistency, blend half of the soup or use an immersion blender. Taste and adjust salt and heat to taste. If you want a little acid, add a few drops lemon juice.
Step 5
To serve, divide among bowls, drizzle each bowl with coconut cream (you can just stir it to the entire pot if preferred) and top with fresh cilantro.
Step 6
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