Spiced Red Lentil Soup
A small bowl of red lentil soup with cumin and lemon — protein and fiber in a smooth, gentle form that's easy to finish.
Ingredients
- 200 g Masoor dal (red lentils)
- 1 Onion
- 2 cloves Garlic
- 1½ tsp Ground cumin
- 1000 ml Vegetable stock
- 1 tbsp Extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 tsp Salt
- 1 Carrot (optional)
- 1 Lemon (optional)
Method
- Dice the onion and carrot; mince the garlic.
- Soften the onion and carrot in the oil over medium heat, then add the garlic and cumin for 1 minute.
- Add the lentils, stock, and salt and simmer until the lentils collapse, about 18 minutes.
- Blend the soup smooth and stir in the lemon juice.
- Ladle small bowls and serve hot.
Tap “Start cooking” for live timers that flag what to get ahead on while something simmers.
About Spiced Red Lentil Soup
Spiced red lentil soup is a cornerstone of Middle Eastern home cooking, known across the region under names like shorbet adas, and prized because it turns a handful of cheap pantry staples into something genuinely nourishing. Red lentils are the key: unlike brown or green varieties, they shed their skins and dissolve completely as they cook, which is why this soup needs no cream to reach its velvety, smooth texture. Cumin toasted briefly with the aromatics gives it warmth and depth, while a final squeeze of lemon cuts through the earthiness and brightens the whole pot. Onion and carrot cooked down at the start build a gentle sweetness underneath.
Blended until silky, this is comfort food that goes down easily even when your appetite is small, and it delivers real protein and fiber in a form that never feels heavy. The flavor is mellow and savory with a citrus lift, and the smooth body makes it satisfying to sip rather than chew. It's traditionally served hot with flatbread and often a wedge of lemon on the side so each person can sharpen it to taste. This version is deliberately kept simple and quick, ready in about half an hour, and being fully plant-based it works as a light meal on its own or as a starter before something larger.
Spiced Red Lentil Soup: frequently asked questions
How many calories are in Spiced Red Lentil Soup?
A serving has about 250 calories — 13.5g protein, 39.7g carbs, 5.2g fat, 6.5g fiber. Figures are estimated from the ingredient amounts and will shift with your portions and brands.
Is Spiced Red Lentil Soup gluten-free?
Based on its ingredients, Spiced Red Lentil Soup has no gluten-containing components, so it's naturally gluten-free — as always, check that any packaged ingredients you use are certified gluten-free to be safe.
How long does Spiced Red Lentil Soup take to make?
About 30 minutes start to finish, but only around 14 of those are hands-on — the rest is largely unattended cooking time you can step away from. In the Homecooked app the timers and parallel steps are sequenced for you so the hands-on part feels even shorter.
Do I need every ingredient to make Spiced Red Lentil Soup?
The core ingredients are essential, but you can leave out carrot, lemon — they're optional and mainly there for extra flavor or finish.
How many servings does Spiced Red Lentil Soup make?
This recipe makes 4 servings. In the app you can scale it up or down and the ingredient amounts adjust automatically.