Which One the Best Is: Spiced Lentil Soup

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-07 · Updated 2026-04-07

A vibrant, warming soup where cumin and turmeric transform humble lentils into the 'best' bowl of comfort food. This Mediterranean soup recipe (vegetarian), ready in about 35 minutes, pairs brown lentils, vegetable broth, and carrot for a weeknight-friendly dinner. 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 "Build a week of meals around this recipe" 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

• 150g brown lentils, rinsed
• 600ml vegetable broth
• 1 medium carrot, diced
• 1 stalk celery, diced
• 1 small onion, diced
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1/2 tsp turmeric
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 tbsp olive oil

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Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a medium pot over medium heat. Add 1 diced onion, 1 diced carrot, and 1 diced celery stalk, sautéing for 5 minutes until softened and fragrant.
2. Step 2: Stir in 1 tsp cumin, 1/2 tsp turmeric, and 150g rinsed brown lentils, cooking for 1 minute until aromatic.
3. Step 3: Add 600ml vegetable broth, bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer for 20 minutes until lentils are tender.
4. Step 4: Remove from heat, stir in 1 tbsp lemon juice, and blend half the soup with an immersion blender until smooth for a velvety texture (optional). Season with salt to taste.