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Spicy Red Lentil Soup Recipe

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Discover the ultimate Spicy Red Lentil Soup recipe that will awaken your taste buds and nourish your soul. This tantalising blend of aromatic spices and hearty lentils creates a comforting and flavourful dish that is perfect for any season. Dive into a bowl of warmth and nutrition with this easy-to-follow recipe, as we guide you step by step through the process of creating a culinary masterpiece. Prepare to savour every spoonful of this wholesome soup that is sure to leave you craving more. 

red lentil vegetable soup in a bowl

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I absolutely love a warming and filling soup and this vegan red lentil soup fits the bill for both of these requirements! This winter while we have been holed up at home I've found myself turning more and more to good old soup recipes that are healthy and filling and easy to make. A good vegan red lentil recipe is a staple in our house, as a I tend to make a double batch and freeze half for another day, which saves me cooking - I call it being my future friend!

Red lentil soup ingredients

  • olive oil
  • onion
  • garlic
  • carrot
  • celery
  • dried red lentils
  • vegan vegetable stock
  • ground cumin
  • ground coriander
  • paprika
  • lemon
  • dried chilli flakes
  • salt & black pepper

For exact quantities see the recipe card below. 

The ingredients for this vegan red lentil soup are really quite simple. Dried red lentils of course, celery, carrots, onions, tinned tomatoes and some spices you should have already in the spice cabinet. It's the kind of soup that you can probably knock together out of things you have in the cupboard and fridge, it doesn't take long and you have put together a healthy meal so it is perfect for a quick weeknight meal.

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Instructions

  1. Chop the onions, celery, and carrot into small 1cm pieces and mince the garlic
  2. Heat the olive oil in a large pot or large saucepan and sautee the onions for 2 minutes on a medium heat.
  3. Add the garlic and cook for another minute.
  4. Add the carrots and celery and cook for another 5 minutes until soft.
  5. Add the tinned tomatoes, vegetable broth and spices, along with 200g of the lentils. Bring to simmer (on a medium-low heat) and put the lid on to cook for 35 minutes or until the lentils are soft.
  6. In the meantime cook the other 200g of lentils in another saucepan by boiling them in water for 20 minutes or so until soft. Drain and set to one side.
  7. Blend the soup with a stick blender (immersion blender) until smooth and then drain and add the remaining cooked lentils, stirring to combine lentils into the soup.
  8. Add the zest of the lemon and a squeeze of lemon juice and add chilli flakes and season to taste.
  9. Top with chilli flakes if you find you haven't added enough spice and sprinkle with chopped fresh coriander.
red lentil vegetable soup in a bowl, looked at from above, with chilli flakes and coriander leaves
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lentil soup in a bowl, topped with chilli flakes and coriander leaves

Spicy Red Lentil Soup Recipe

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Description

Discover the ultimate Spicy Red Lentil Soup recipe that will awaken your taste buds and nourish your soul. This tantalising blend of aromatic spices and hearty lentils creates a comforting and flavourful dish that is perfect for any season. Dive into a bowl of warmth and nutrition with this easy-to-follow recipe, as we guide you step by step through the process of creating a culinary masterpiece. Prepare to savor every spoonful of this wholesome soup that is sure to leave you craving more. 

Ingredients

Units Scale
  • 2 Tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 onion
  • 2 cloves garlic
  • 1 large carrot
  • 2 sticks celery
  • 400 g dried red lentils
  • 1 ½ litres vegan vegetable stock
  • ½ teaspoon ground cumin
  • ½ teaspoon ground coriander
  • 1 ½ teaspoon paprika
  • 1 lemon
  • salt & pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Chop the onions, celery, and carrot into small 1cm pieces and mince the garlic
  2. Heat the olive oil in a pan and sautee the onions for 2 minutes.
  3. Add the garlic and cook for another minute.
  4. Add the carrots and celery and cook for another 5 minutes until soft.
  5. Add the tinned tomatoes, stock and spices, along with 200g of the lentils. Bring to simmer and put the lid on to cook for 35 minutes or until the lentils are soft.
  6. In the meantime cook the other 200g of lentils in another saucepan by boiling them in water for 20 minutes or so until soft. Drain and set to one side.
  7. Blend the soup with a stick blender until smooth and then drain and add the remaining cooked lentils.
  8. Add the zest of the lemon and a squeeze of lemon juice and season to taste.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 45 minutes
  • Category: soup
  • Method: Hob
  • Cuisine: Indian

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Substitutions and Variations

We think that this is the best lentil soup recipe as it is but of course you can mix it up a little with some variations. Why not try one of these...

  1. Moroccan-Inspired: Add a touch of North African flavor by incorporating spices like cumin, coriander, turmeric, and cinnamon. Garnish with fresh cilantro and a squeeze of lemon for a refreshing twist.
  2. Thai-Style: Infuse the spicy red lentil soup with Thai flavors by incorporating ingredients like red curry paste, coconut milk, lemongrass, and lime juice. Top with chopped fresh basil and a sprinkle of crushed peanuts for added texture.
  3. Mexican-Inspired: Give your soup a spicy kick by adding diced jalapenos, chili powder, cayenne pepper, and a hint of smoked paprika. Garnish with avocado slices, chopped cilantro, and a dollop of vegan sour cream for a creamy texture and finish.
  4. Mediterranean Twist: Infuse the soup with Mediterranean flavors by adding diced tomatoes, chopped Kalamata olives, and a sprinkle of dried oregano. Serve with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil and some crusty bread.
  5. Indian-Inspired: Incorporate traditional Indian spices like garam masala, ginger, and turmeric or a basic curry powder to create a flavorful and aromatic lentil soup. Finish with a garnish of fresh chopped coriander (cilantro) and a squeeze of lime juice.
  6. Smoky Chipotle: Add a smoky and spicy twist to your soup by including chipotle peppers in adobo sauce and a few tablespoons of tomato paste. The smoky flavors will complement the lentils perfectly. Garnish with sliced green onions and a dollop of vegan Greek yogurt for a cooling contrast.

Can I use another type of lentil in vegan lentil soup?  

Yes, you can use dried green lentils in this spicy lentil soup recipe too but look at the packet instructions as sometimes these need pre-soaking. You can also use canned lentils but you will need to reduce the cooking time or otherwise the lentils will be too soft. For best results I would recommend sticking with dried lentils. I haven't tried using brown lentils, but wouldn't generally recommend it.

How long will this red lentil soup keep for?

This soup will keep well in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 3 days. You can simply reheat it on the hob when you want to warm it up. 

Can I freeze this spicy red lentil soup?

Yes this soup freezes well. Simply portion it out into containers and freeze for up to 3 months. I like these reusable silicone bags. To defrost, take it out of the freezer and defrost it slowly in the fridge overnight, and warm up the next day on the hob.

Can I make this easy lentil soup recipe in the slow cooker or instant pot?

I haven't tried either but I would have thought so. For the slow cooker version simply add all the ingredients (except the final 200g red lentils) into the slow cooker, stir and cook on high for 4 hours, or 6 hours on low. Blend and cook and add the red lentils to the blended soup as per the original recipe.

In a pressure cooker, add all the ingredients (except the final 200g red lentils) into the instant pot, stir and cook on medium pressure for 10 minutes with a further 10 minutes slow release. Blend and cook and add the red lentils to the blended soup as per the original recipe.

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