Cozy Red Lentil Soup
This cozy red lentil soup is inspired by Mercimek Çorbası, a comforting Turkish classic that's simple, satisfying, and packed with flavor. The combination of creamy red lentils, sweet carrots, and warming spices makes it perfect for chilly days—or any time you need a nourishing, feel-good meal. It's made with pantry staples and comes together in under 30 minutes, with a swirl of spiced yogurt for a flavorful finish.

Ingredients
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 1 carrots, choppedd
- 1 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1/2 tsp paprika, optional
- 1 cup red lentils
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- salt, to taste
- 1 1/2 cups cooked white beans
- parsley, for serving
Spiced Yogurt Dollop
- 1/2 cup Greek yogurt, nonfat
- 1 tsp lemon juice
- 1/4 tsp ground cumin
Instructions
- Sauté onion and carrot in olive oil until softened.
- Add 1/4 cup of water, put the lid on and simmer 10 minutes.
- Add tomato paste, cumin, and paprika. Cook 1–2 minutes.
- Add lentils and broth. Bring to a boil, then simmer ~20 mins.
- Blend with immersion blender or leave slightly chunky.
- Stir in the white beans.
- Season to taste and serve with lemon and chopped parsley.
- Optionally, mix the Spiced Yogurt Dollop to serve on top of each bowl of soup.
Serving Suggestions
- Serve within whole grain pita and hummus
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Published: Apr 25, 2025