Golden Turmeric Lentil Soup

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A warm, comforting soup with vibrant golden color from turmeric, creamy coconut milk, and aromatic spices. This indian-inspired soups (vegetarian) ready in about 50 minutes pairs rinsed yellow split peas, diced carrots, stalks, diced celery for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 180 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 40 min Serves 6 Indian cuisine 180 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a large pot, heat 1 tbsp olive oil over medium heat. Add 1 diced onion, 2 diced carrots, and 2 diced celery stalks. Sauté for 5 minutes until softened.
  2. Step 2: Add 3 minced garlic cloves and 1 tsp turmeric powder. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Stir in 1 cup rinsed yellow split peas, 4 cups vegetable broth, and 1/2 tsp salt. Bring to a boil.
  3. Step 3: Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 30 minutes until peas are tender. Stir in 1 can coconut milk and cook for 10 minutes until soup is creamy and slightly thickened. Adjust seasoning and serve.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Golden Turmeric Lentil Soup take to make?

Total time is about 50 minutes (10 min prep + 40 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Golden Turmeric Lentil Soup?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep rinsed yellow split peas from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Golden Turmeric Lentil Soup?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Golden Turmeric Lentil Soup for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

Is Golden Turmeric Lentil Soup vegetarian?

Yes — this recipe is tagged vegetarian based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.

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