Lebanese Lentil Soup
Warm, spiced red lentils blended silky with cumin and lemon, topped with crispy onions — Lebanon's beloved comfort bowl.
In a nutshell: This authentic lebanese lebanese lentil soup comes together in just 50 mins using simple whole ingredients. The chef's secret: 60 seconds of frying wakes up the cumin and coriander in a way simmering alone never does. Perfect for home cooks seeking a dependable, restaurant-quality finish with minimal effort.
Lebanese lentil soup: warm spiced red lentils with cumin, lemon and crispy onions. A nourishing bowl for cold November nights.
Key Equipment
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- Large pot
- Immersion blender
- Small skillet
- Wooden spoon
Chef's Pro-Tips
- Bloom the spices in oil before adding liquid: 60 seconds of frying wakes up the cumin and coriander in a way simmering alone never does.
- Blend longer than you think: red lentils turn truly silky only after a full 2 minutes of blending, not a quick pulse.
- Lemon goes in last: acid added early dulls in the simmer, while lemon at the end brightens the whole bowl.
Ingredients
6
servings
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2 cups red lentils, rinsed
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1 yellow onion, diced, plus 1 sliced for topping
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2 cloves garlic, minced
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2 carrots, diced
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1 tsp ground cumin
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½ tsp ground coriander
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¼ tsp turmeric
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6 cups vegetable broth, low sodium
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2 tbsp olive oil, divided
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1 lemon, juiced, plus wedges for serving
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1 tsp kosher salt, or to taste
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½ tsp black pepper
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2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
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Step-by-Step Instructions
Soften the Vegetables
Heat a tablespoon of oil in a large pot over medium heat. Cook the diced onion and carrots for 6-7 minutes until softened, then stir in the garlic, cumin, coriander and turmeric for 1 minute until fragrant.
Simmer the Lentils
Add the lentils and broth, bring to a boil, then simmer covered for 25-30 minutes until the lentils have completely broken down.
Blend Until Silky
Blend with an immersion blender until velvety, adding a splash of water if it is thicker than you like. Season with salt, pepper and most of the lemon juice.
Crisp the Onions
Meanwhile, fry the sliced onion in the remaining oil in a small skillet over medium-high heat, stirring often, until deeply golden and crisp at the edges, about 8 minutes. Drain on paper towels and salt lightly.
Serve
Ladle into bowls, top with crispy onions and parsley, and serve with lemon wedges and warm flatbread.
Chef Clara's Kitchen Picks
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View on AmazonFrequently Asked Questions
Yes — that one is a creamy coconut curry, while this is a lighter, lemon-and-cumin soup with crispy onion topping and no coconut.
Yes — it keeps 4 days in the fridge and actually tastes better the next day. Thin with water when reheating; it thickens as it sits.
Yes — freeze for up to 3 months without the onion topping. Make fresh crispy onions when you serve it.
No — red lentils cook fast and need no soaking. Just rinse them well before adding to the pot.