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Smoky Red Lentil Soup with Spinach

A comforting and nutritious soup made with tender red lentils, smoky spices, and fresh spinach for a hearty plant-based meal.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Soup
Cuisine: Healthy, Mediterranean
Calories: 260
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Soup Base
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 onion finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 carrot diced
  • 1 tsp ground cumin
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 0.5 tsp turmeric optional
Lentils and Broth
  • 1 cup red lentils rinsed
  • 4 cups vegetable broth
  • 1 cup water
  • 0.5 tsp salt
  • 0.25 tsp black pepper
Greens
  • 2 cups fresh spinach roughly chopped
Finishing Touch
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice
  • olive oil for drizzling
  • parsley or cilantro for garnish

Equipment

  • Large soup pot
  • Wooden spoon
  • Knife
  • Cutting board

Method
 

  1. Heat olive oil in a large pot and sauté onion for 4–5 minutes until softened.
  2. Add garlic and carrot and cook for 2 minutes.
  3. Stir in cumin, smoked paprika, and turmeric and cook for 30 seconds.
  4. Add red lentils, vegetable broth, water, salt, and pepper.
  5. Simmer for 20–25 minutes until lentils are tender.
  6. Stir in spinach and cook until wilted.
  7. Add lemon juice, adjust seasoning, and serve with olive oil and herbs.

Notes

Blend part of the soup for an extra creamy texture if desired.