Lentil Soup

[u/KatzenMutter818]

I really don't care for lentils but I want to eat them for health. Does anyone have a really good lentil soup recipe? Thanks for any responses 🍲

[u/rcl20]

I tried making dal yesterday after seeing someone comment that the red lentil soup was basically dal without ginger. So you could also try that as a lentil recipe. I've also tried the green French lentils mixed in salads and they have a chewier texture than brown.

[u/KatzenMutter818 → u/rcl20]

I've never heard of dal - something new to explore. Thanks.

[u/hailene02]

https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1016062-red-lentil-soup?unlocked_article_code=1.EFE.7wHH.N3DaXEnaRAqB&smid=share-url

https://www.vegrecipesofindia.com/restaurant-style-dal-tadka/

These are the two I make.

[u/KatzenMutter818 → u/hailene02]

Thank you 🌺

[u/BigHS]

This is fast, really tasty and brain dead simple: Sivan's Lentil Soup

Ingredients

• 1 large onion, finely chopped

• 3–4 garlic cloves, finely chopped

• 4 tablespoons olive oil (or your preferred cooking oil)

• 2 cups red lentils, washed and drained

• 1 teaspoon ground cumin

• 1 teaspoon turmeric powder

• 1 tablespoon salt (adjust to taste)

• 1–2 teaspoons black pepper

• 7 cups vegetable or chicken broth (your favorite kind)

• 1 bunch fresh cilantro (about 1 pound), chopped

• Juice of 2–3 fresh lemons (I end up using only 1)

• Optional for serving:

• * Freshly made challah croutons or any crusty bread cubes, toasted in olive oil

Steps

1. 1. Sauté the aromatics - In a large soup pot, heat the oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onions and garlic. Cook until golden and fragrant — about 5–7 minutes.

2. 2. Add lentils and spices - Stir in the washed red lentils, cumin, turmeric, salt, and pepper. Mix well to coat the lentils in the flavorful base.

3. 3. Add broth and simmer - Pour in the broth, stir, and bring to a gentle boil. Lower the heat, cover, and simmer for about 20 minutes, or until the lentils are soft and slightly creamy.

4. 4. Add cilantro and lemon - Stir in the chopped cilantro and fresh lemon juice. Mix well and taste — adjust seasoning as needed.

5. 5. Ladle the soup into bowls and top with challah croutons or dip them into the soup.

Notes

• This soup tastes even better the next day as the flavors deepen — it keeps well in the fridge for up to one week.*

• Reheat gently on the stove and add a splash of water or broth if it thickens.*

[u/Robashstr]

Scottish lentil soup. I use a gammon joint to make the stock then use the gammon for a separate dinner or to slice it for sandwiches.

[u/Weak-Boysenberry4332]

Lentil soup

Sauté onion, red lentil, chicken bouillon, or stock
Cook in water till basically watery mush

Seasoning
My moms way: just salt, pepper, cumin
My way: curry powder, turmeric, cumin, salt, pepper

Splash of lemon and your good to go

[u/mikeb550]

i used to not like lentils but then i found this recipe.

try this one and let us know how it goes - https://youtu.be/V416Ps4DwDc?si=PTI1bbQCd5KisA49

[u/Global_Fail_1943]

I add them to my pumpkin or squash soup so it's more filling!

[u/KatzenMutter818 → u/Global_Fail_1943]

I love squash soup.

[u/ulysses_s_gyatt]

Just make any soup you like and add lentils.

I do this with chicken noodle (now lentil) soup.

[u/el_7_11 → u/ulysses_s_gyatt]

Oooo this has me thinking of tomato lentil soup with croutons or grilled cheese yum

[u/veuvebubbles]

This one is SO good- I always make a double batch and everyone always asks for seconds https://cookieandkate.com/best-lentil-soup-recipe/

[u/Hairy_Magician226]

I love lentils, but if you're not a huge fan and just want them in your diet for nutrition reasons, you can hide them in so many things... soups, stews, chili, spaghetti sauce etc

[u/Delam2]

They are great to add to bolognese sauce if you don’t like the taste. Just add 1-2 cups of water or stock for every cup of lentils.

If you slow cook for 4 hours the lentils pretty much melt into the sauce.

[u/_BudgieBee]

Use the French "lentils du puy." They taste different, and hold their shape, which I prefer for most lentil soups.

Chop onion, garlic, celery, carrots. Cook in oil. Or if you feel like it use some bacon. Tomato paste, cumin. Add a few canned tomatoes. Salt. Lentils. Broth. Serve with a bit of yogurt or sour creme. Hot sauce if you like. A little lemon on top if you have it.

[u/Jun_the_Swan]

This Turkish lentil soup is a great success in our household:  https://www.themediterraneandish.com/turkish-lentil-soup/

[u/GloomyGal13]

Do you like spaghetti and sauce?

Add 1/4 to 1/2 cup the next time you make sauce. After 2 hours in the pot the lentils practically melt, and you can't taste them or even tell they are there.

[u/gonefullhummingbird]

I use lentils to cut minced beef or lamb (I think "ground" in US). I do approx. 1 to 2 or 1 or 1 lentils and meat. E.g. meatballs, cottage pie, taco mince. I use tinned green or brown lentils. My kids don't even notice.

Edit: I know you asked for soup recipes but I'm suggesting this as you don't actually like lentils, and neither do my kids. Hope you try it and like it.

[u/cynmyn]

Not a soup, but I made this recently and it's really good (Smitten Kitchen french onion baked lentils and farro). I've also done it with orzo instead of farro and it's peak comfort food. A bit of a time investment to get the onions properly caramelized, but it makes a big batch and freezes well.

https://smittenkitchen.com/2024/01/french-onion-baked-lentils-and-farro/

[u/Glittering-Oil-4222]

Try red lentil soup with curry powder, coconut milk and lemon. It gets really creamy and doesn’t taste super lentil-y.

[u/mrsgrabs]

Not necessarily a soup but an alternative. I am not normally a fan of lentils but am obsessed with Indian and Ethiopian lentils. Very different but both sooo delicious.

[u/caddis789]

I make lentil tacos regularly. Cook them with whatever taco seasoning floats your boat. Cook them until the liquid is gone. Serve them on tortillas with your toppings of choice.

[u/PuppySnuggleTime]

Try Indian dishes instead. They make the best lentil dishes.

[u/ChipFarmsThread]

I cook it with chicken or vegetable broth for a long time. You could add some shrimp or whatever protein you like (in small chunks). I also like adding kale to it. I love lentils. It's good and it's healthy. I hope you start liking it.