Harissa-Spiced Lentil Soup with Tomato
A hearty, aromatic soup featuring red lentils simmered with harissa and sun-ripened tomatoes. This north african-inspired soups ready in about 40 minutes pairs red lentils, chicken broth, (14 oz) diced tomatoes for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 220 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.
Ingredients
- 1 cup red lentils
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes
- 2 tbsp harissa paste
- 1 finely diced onion
- 1 diced carrot
- 2 minced garlic cloves
- 1 tsp cumin
- 2 tbsp olive oil
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Sauté 1 finely diced onion and 1 diced carrot for 5 minutes until softened. Add 2 minced garlic cloves and 1 tsp cumin, stirring for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Step 2: Stir in 1 cup red lentils, 4 cups chicken broth, and 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes. Bring to a gentle simmer.
- Step 3: Add 2 tbsp harissa paste, reduce heat to low, and simmer uncovered for 20 minutes until lentils are tender and soup thickens.
- Step 4: Taste and adjust salt if needed; serve hot with a drizzle of olive oil.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Harissa-Spiced Lentil Soup with Tomato take to make?
Total time is about 40 minutes (15 min prep + 25 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 Harissa-Spiced Lentil Soup with Tomato?
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 red lentils from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Harissa-Spiced Lentil Soup with Tomato?
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 Harissa-Spiced Lentil Soup with Tomato 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.
What goes well with Harissa-Spiced Lentil Soup with Tomato?
North African soups like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★☆
Really good but took about 10 minutes longer than stated.
- ★★★★☆
Tasty recipe. I'd add a bit more seasoning next time.
- ★★★★☆
Very good for a 25-minute recipe. Would bump up the spice level though.
