Description
This Turkish Red Lentil Soup, or Mercimek Çorbası, is a rich and comforting dish made with red lentils, vegetables, and warm spices. The smooth texture is enhanced with fresh lemon and parsley for a tangy finish. It’s a healthy, flavorful soup that’s perfect for any meal!
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 2 carrots, chopped
- 1 rib celery, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced or grated
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 2 medium potatoes, peeled and cut into small pieces
- 8 cups vegetable broth
- 2 cups split red lentils (dried, not canned)
- 1 ½ teaspoons salt
- 2 twists black pepper
- 1 lemon, cut into wedges
- 1 handful flat-leaf parsley, chopped
- Pita bread (optional, for serving)
- Chili oil (optional, made with 1 clove garlic, 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes, and 4 tablespoons olive oil)
Instructions
- Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the chopped onion, carrots, and celery. Sauté for 4 minutes, stirring often.
- Add the minced or grated garlic, ground cumin, and tomato paste. Cook for an additional minute until fragrant.
- Add the chopped potatoes, followed by the vegetable broth and rinsed red lentils. Stir to combine.
- Season with 1 ½ teaspoons salt and 2 twists of black pepper. Bring the soup to a simmer and cook for 15-20 minutes, or until the lentils and potatoes are tender.
- Use an immersion blender to blend the soup until smooth. Alternatively, transfer the soup to a blender in batches.
- Taste and adjust the seasoning, adding more salt if necessary.
- Ladle the soup into bowls, adding a squeeze of lemon juice, a handful of chopped parsley, and a drizzle of chili oil (if using).
- Optional: Serve with warm pita bread or crusty bread, and top with roasted chickpeas for a complete meal.
Notes
- This soup is great for meal prep and can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- For extra flavor, try topping the soup with a dollop of yogurt or a sprinkle of sumac.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Turkish
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 7g
- Protein: 11g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
