Persian Herb and Lentil Soup with Lemon and Turmeric

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-26 · Updated 2026-05-26

A nourishing, fragrant soup blending lentils with fresh herbs and a bright lemon finish, perfect for a wholesome meal. This Middle Eastern-inspired soup recipe, ready in about 50 minutes, pairs green or brown lentils, rinsed, yellow onion, diced, carrots, 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 green or brown lentils, rinsed
• 1 medium yellow onion, diced
• 2 medium carrots, diced
• 1 cup fresh parsley, chopped
• 1 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
• 1/2 cup fresh dill, chopped
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tsp turmeric powder
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 6 cups vegetable broth or water
• 3 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 1/2 tsp salt
• 3/4 tsp black pepper

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Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a large soup pot over medium heat. Add 1 medium diced yellow onion and 2 diced carrots. Sauté for 7 minutes until softened.
2. Step 2: Stir in 3 minced garlic cloves and 1 tsp turmeric powder. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
3. Step 3: Add 1 cup rinsed green or brown lentils and 6 cups vegetable broth or water. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 25 minutes.
4. Step 4: Add 1 cup chopped parsley, 1 cup chopped cilantro, and 1/2 cup chopped dill to the pot. Simmer for an additional 10 minutes until lentils are tender and herbs infuse the soup.
5. Step 5: Season with 1 1/2 tsp salt, 3/4 tsp black pepper, and stir in 3 tbsp fresh lemon juice. Cook for 2 more minutes, then remove from heat and serve warm.