Lebanese Lentil Soup
Lemony lentil and spinach soup with cumin.
Ingredients
- 250 g Puy lentils
- 200 g Spinach
- 1 Onion
- 4 cloves Garlic
- 1 tbsp Ground cumin
- 1 Lemon
- 4 tbsp Extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 tsp Salt
- 4 tbsp Cilantro (optional)
Method
- Chop the onion and garlic.
- Soften the onion in oil, bloom the cumin, then add the lentils and water.
- Simmer until the lentils are soft, then stir in the spinach and garlic.
- Brighten with lemon and cilantro off heat.
- Serve with bread.
Tap “Start cooking” for live timers that flag what to get ahead on while something simmers.
About Lebanese Lentil Soup
This Lebanese lentil soup belongs to the everyday home cooking of the Levant, where lentils and greens form the backbone of countless meatless meals eaten during Lent, on fasting days, and simply because they are cheap, filling, and good. Built on small Puy lentils that hold their shape rather than dissolving, it stays brothy and spoonable instead of thick, with tender spinach folded through and cumin bloomed in oil to give the pot its warm, earthy base. What lifts it out of the ordinary is the finish: a generous squeeze of lemon and a handful of cilantro stirred in off the heat, which cuts through the earthiness and makes the whole bowl taste bright and alive.
The eating experience is comforting but never heavy — the lentils give a soft, satisfying bite, the cumin lends gentle depth, and the lemon keeps each spoonful from feeling flat. It is a genuinely nourishing bowl, naturally vegan and heavy on fiber and plant protein, that works as a light supper or a warming lunch. Traditionally it is served with flatbread for tearing and dipping, and often a wedge of extra lemon at the table so each person can sharpen it to taste. This version rewards you for adding the garlic and greens late, so they stay fresh and pronounced rather than cooking down into the background.
Lebanese Lentil Soup: frequently asked questions
How many calories are in Lebanese Lentil Soup?
A serving has about 388 calories — 18.3g protein, 47.6g carbs, 15.6g fat, 9.2g fiber. Figures are estimated from the ingredient amounts and will shift with your portions and brands.
Is Lebanese Lentil Soup gluten-free?
Based on its ingredients, Lebanese 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 Lebanese Lentil Soup take to make?
About 35 minutes start to finish, but only around 13 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 Lebanese Lentil Soup?
The core ingredients are essential, but you can leave out cilantro — it's optional and mainly there for extra flavor or finish.
How many servings does Lebanese Lentil Soup make?
This recipe makes 4 servings. In the app you can scale it up or down and the ingredient amounts adjust automatically.