Half-Hour Spiced Lentil Soup with Turmeric and Cumin
A hearty and warming lentil soup simmered with turmeric, cumin, and fresh vegetables, ready in just 30 minutes. This middle eastern-inspired soups (vegetarian) ready in about 30 minutes pairs dry red lentils, carrot, diced, celery stalk, diced for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 220 calories and feeds 4, 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.
Ingredients
- 1 cup dry red lentils
- 1 medium carrot, diced
- 1 celery stalk, diced
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp ground turmeric
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- 1 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 2 tbsp fresh cilantro, chopped
Affiliate disclosure: AislePrompt may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through Amazon links, at no additional cost to you. See our policy →
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add 1 chopped onion, 1 diced carrot, and 1 diced celery stalk, sautéing for 5 minutes until vegetables soften and become fragrant.
- Step 2: Stir in 3 minced garlic cloves, 1 tsp ground turmeric, and 1 tsp ground cumin, cooking for 1 minute until spices are fragrant.
- Step 3: Add 1 cup dry red lentils and 4 cups vegetable broth to the pot. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered for 20 minutes until lentils are tender.
- Step 4: Season soup with 1 1/2 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Stir in 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice and 2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro just before serving.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Half-Hour Spiced Lentil Soup with Turmeric and Cumin take to make?
Total time is about 30 minutes (10 min prep + 20 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 Half-Hour Spiced Lentil Soup with Turmeric and Cumin?
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 dry red lentils from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Half-Hour Spiced Lentil Soup with Turmeric and Cumin?
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 Half-Hour Spiced Lentil Soup with Turmeric and Cumin for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). 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 Half-Hour Spiced Lentil Soup with Turmeric and Cumin 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.
Related recipes
Half-Hour Spiced Lentil Soup with Carrots and Tomatoes
Half-Hour Spiced Lentil Soup with Carrots and Cumin
Spiced Turkish Lentil Soup with Toasted Paprika and Lemon
Spiced Lentil and Freekeh Stew with Preserved Lemon
Roasted Carrot and Red Lentil Soup with Cumin and Coriander
Sekhmet's Spiced Lentil Stew