Sumac-Spiced Lentil Soup with Lemon and Fresh Herbs
A warming, tangy lentil soup flavored with sumac and fresh lemon, garnished with parsley for a bright Middle Eastern touch. This middle eastern-inspired soups (vegetarian, vegan) ready in about 50 minutes pairs brown lentils, rinsed, olive oil, medium onion, finely chopped 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 brown lentils, rinsed
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 1 large carrot, diced
- 1 celery stalk, diced
- 3 cloves garlic cloves, minced
- 5 cups vegetable broth
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 2 tsp sumac
- 3 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Sauté 1 medium finely chopped onion, 1 large diced carrot, and 1 diced celery stalk for 7-8 minutes until softened and fragrant.
- Step 2: Add 3 minced garlic cloves and 1 tsp ground cumin, cooking for 1 minute until aromatic.
- Step 3: Stir in 1 cup rinsed brown lentils, then pour in 5 cups vegetable broth. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, and simmer uncovered for 30-35 minutes until lentils are tender.
- Step 4: Add 2 tsp sumac, 3 tbsp lemon juice, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Use an immersion blender to partially blend the soup for a creamy texture, leaving some lentils whole.
- Step 5: Remove from heat, stir in 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley, and serve hot with extra lemon wedges if desired.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Sumac-Spiced Lentil Soup with Lemon and Fresh Herbs 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 Sumac-Spiced Lentil Soup with Lemon and Fresh Herbs?
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 brown lentils, rinsed from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Sumac-Spiced Lentil Soup with Lemon and Fresh Herbs?
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 Sumac-Spiced Lentil Soup with Lemon and Fresh Herbs 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 Sumac-Spiced Lentil Soup with Lemon and Fresh Herbs vegetarian?
Yes — this recipe is tagged vegetarian, vegan based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
