Spiced Ethiopian-Inspired Lentil Soup with Berbere and Ginger

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-07-03 · Updated 2026-07-03

A warming, hearty lentil soup infused with berbere spice and fresh ginger, perfect for a nourishing meal. This Ethiopian-inspired soup recipe, ready in about 55 minutes, pairs green lentils, vegetable broth, yellow onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 240 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 lentils
• 4 cups vegetable broth
• 1 medium, diced yellow onion
• 1 large, diced carrot
• 1, diced celery stalk
• 3, minced garlic cloves
• 1 tbsp, grated ginger root
• 1 tbsp berbere spice mix
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
• 2 tbsp, chopped fresh cilantro

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Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add 1 medium diced yellow onion, 1 large diced carrot, and 1 diced celery stalk, sautéing for 6-7 minutes until softened.
2. Step 2: Stir in 3 minced garlic cloves, 1 tbsp grated ginger, and 1 tbsp berbere spice mix, cooking for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
3. Step 3: Add 2 tbsp tomato paste and cook for another minute, stirring constantly to prevent burning.
4. Step 4: Pour in 4 cups vegetable broth and 1 cup rinsed green lentils. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered for 30-35 minutes until lentils are tender and soup thickens.
5. Step 5: Season with 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, and stir in 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice for brightness.
6. Step 6: Ladle soup into bowls and garnish with 2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro before serving.