Filled with plant-based protein and hearty veggies, and laced with bold flavors and creamy coconut milk, this spicy lentil soup is deliciously comforting and nutritious. Recipe yields to 6 smallish servings (total 6 cups).
Prep Time5 minutesmins
Cook Time35 minutesmins
Total Time40 minutesmins
Course: Soup
Cuisine: Mediterranean, vegan
Keyword: spicy lentil soup
Servings: 6
Calories: 306kcal
Author: Katia
Ingredients
1 ½tablespoonolive oil
1 medium-sized onion, diced (any color is fine)
2carrots, diced
2celery ribs, diced
3garlic cloves, minced
2tablespoonssmoked praprika
½tablespoonturmeric
½teaspooncumin
⅛ - ½teaspoonchili flakes (according to your liking)
1 ½ cup(280 grams)green or brown lentils, picked over and rinsed
2tablespoonsparsley or cilantro, chopped (optional)
2tablespoonslemon juice, or to taste
Instructions
In a large ceramic or cast iron pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onions, carrot, celery and sautee for about 5-7 minutes.
Reduce the heat on low, add the garlic, the spices and cook, stirring, until fragrant, for 1 minute.
Add the lentils, broth (start with 4 cups and add the rest later making sure you're happy with the consistency), tomato paste, salt, and several grinds of black pepper. Bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer, cover, and cook stirring occasionally until the lentils are tender (25-30 minutes).
Stir in the coconut milk and cook for 5 minutes more.
Turn the heat off, add the lemon juice and taste to make sure you're happy with the overall flavor - you might want to adjust the seasoning with more salt, peppe or lemon juice.
Finally, stir il the parsley, and serve the spicy lentil soup with crusty bread. Enjoy!
Notes
Salt: the recipe uses low sodium vegetable broth as usual, but you’re welcome to use your favourite broth if you don’t keep it vegan. Make sure to add the salt accordingly since some broth can be quite salty.
Storage: this spicy lentil soup keeps well in the fridge for about 4 days and freezes very well.
Nutrition facts: the nutrition values are for one serving and they are based on an online nutrition calculator. It’s an estimate only and it should not be considered as a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice. Please see my disclosure policies.