Filled with earthy lentils and vegetables, Mediterranean Lentil Soup is a hearty soup and easy to make. Rich and flavorful it will become your go-to meal again and again!
Next time try this Instant Pot Brown Lentil Soup Recipe.
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Why you'll love this recipe
✔️ A great choice for a delicious wholesome meal.
✔️ It only takes 30 minutes to make.
✔️ A quick chop of celery, carrots and onion plus some spices and you'll have dinner read in no time! This is one of our favorite healthy soups!
Ingredients
You only need a handful of simple ingredients to make Mediterranean Lentil Soup. For the exact measurements, please refer to the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
- orange or red lentils - though you can use brown lentils, yellow lentils or green lentils the orange/red lentils are quick cooking.
- yellow onion, celery, carrots - great vegetables to balance out the flavors.
- chicken stock - though you can substitute water or vegetable stock, I like the flavor combination using chicken stock.
- cumin, chili powder or a pinch of red pepper flakes, salt, coriander, turmeric, yellow curry - loads of great warm mediterranean spices for this comforting soup.
- olive oil - for sautéing
- lemon juice and fresh parsley - an optional addition at the end, it's the best way to finish this soup!
Instructions
This is an overview of the instructions for this easy lentil soup recipe. For the complete directions just scroll down to the bottom!
- Start by chopping & dicing the onion, carrot & celery.
- In a large pot on the stove top over medium heat, sauté the vegetables for about 5 minutes.
- Add the spices and lentils. Stir everything together and next add the liquids.
- Bring to a boil and then reduce the heat and simmer for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Remove it from the heat and finish with a fresh squeeze of lemon.
Equipment
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FAQ's
Golden or orange lentils are members of the legume family. They are small in size, only about ¼ inch in diameter. Their flavor is mild and buttery.
Lentils are high in fiber and low in calorie - they are wholesome and Harty!
In the refrigerator this soup will keep for three to five days. Frozen it will keep up to three months!
No need to soak them, they cook in a short period of time.
They are actually part of the same family as beans. Great choice for a healthier lifestyle.
Variations
Substitute 4 cups of water for the chicken broth if you'd prefer a vegetarian soup.
For a meaty version, add a half pound of mild Italian sausage.
Storage
Refrigerate - allow to cool completely. Store in an airtight container up to three days in the refrigerator.
Freezer - this soup freezes well up to three months.
Reheat - thaw overnight in the refrigerator. Reheat on the stovetop or microwave until hot.
Related recipes
I'm such a fan of lentil soup, I've developed a couple for the blog. If you like this one, be sure and try my Instant Pot Lentil Soup - great flavor and so delicious!
Another is Lentil and Sausage Soup. The earthy flavor of the lentils goes so well with sausage!
Here are a few more of my favorite soup recipes!
- Chicken and Sweet Potato Curry made in the slow cooker it's a rich, delicious meal.
- Chicken Tetrazzini Soup is filled with tender chicken, mushrooms and egg noodles. It's a rich, creamy soup that only takes 30 minutes to make!
- Carrot Soup Recipe - this lovely soup is rich, fragrant and costs pennies to make - it's so good!
- Love a great Potato Soup Recipe? Be sure to try this yummy old fashioned recipe!
Serve with
Enjoy this meal with some yummy dinner rolls using frozen bread dough - so easy to make! Or super easy recipe for Cheesy Pizza Hut Breadsticks - YUM!
Skillet Cornbread would be amazing as well. I love fresh cornbread. I dare you to eat just one slice!
If you enjoy soup and salad make an Outback Wedge Salad to serve alongside your meal.
Mediterranean Lentil Soup Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup dried orange lentils
- 1 cup chopped onion
- ½ cup chopped celery
- ½ cup chopped carrots
- 4 cups chicken stock or vegetable stock
- 1 cup water
- 2 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon coriander
- ½ teaspoon turmeric
- ¼ teaspoon yellow curry
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ lemon optional
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Instructions
- Dice the onion, carrots and celery.
- Heat a heavy stock pan over medium heat. Add the olive oil and the vegetables. Sauté for 4-5 minutes until they just begin to soften.
- Next add the spices. Stir them in and mix well with the vegetables - add the lentils and sauté for another minute and add the stock & water.
- Increase the heat to high and bring to a boil, reduce to medium low and continue to simmer the soup, stirring occasionally. It will take about another 15 minutes until the lentils are completely cooked.
- When the lentils are cooked, remove from the heat and finish by squeezing the juice of half a lemon into the soup, stir to combine and serve.
Notes
Serving suggestions for Lentil Soup
- Easy Dinner Rolls - simple pillowy rolls. There's rarely leftovers!
- Skillet Cornbread Recipe - The BEST cornbread recipe, sweet and buttery with a delicious crunch.
- Cuban Sliders - easy make-ahead sandwiches with cheese and ham - YUM!
Wilson
Very tasty and easy to make ???
Bowl Me Over
Thank you Wilson, I'm so glad you enjoyed it! Three thumbs up is a GREAT rating, thank you!!
Fran
Hi Debra, your lentil soup ticked all the boxes; simple, ingredients on hand, surprisingly quick and tasty. The lemon juice made it especially delicious, in my opinion. Your family is lucky you are around to fill their bowls. Thank you for the time you've invested to comprise and post this for our enjoyment and use.
Ronald
The flavors of this soup are really satisfying. I used 2 cups of red lentils and increased the amount of spices, vegetables and water so it would be thicker. Restaurant quality soup.
Crankygran
Can I ask a silly question, not being much of a cook? Do I use tinned or dried lentils? We love lentil soup but have only made it once before, but this looks really nice.
Bowl Me Over
Hey that's not a silly question at all! You'll use dried lentils, they are really inexpensive at the store (less than $2 a bag!) and you'll only use about half the bag. Thanks for checking, I'll update the receip to avoid further confusion - thanks so much for stopping by and taking the time to comment!!!
Crankygran
Thanks for your quick reply. That's great, I already have dried lentils. I'm living in Spain, so had to ckeck as I thought maybe in the US you maybe only used one or the other. The picture of the soup looks very similar to the Spanish versions that are served in the restaurants here, so I'm hoping that I now have the secret of this delicious soup.
Bowl Me Over
You are very welcome. We really like this soup, I hope you do too! Thank you again & have a great day!
Bea
Can this be frozen and when would I add the lemon if it can be frozen.
Bowl Me Over
Yes Bea you can freeze this soup - actually it freezes really well! Go ahead and complete all of the steps, including adding the lemon, portion it into serving size and tuck it in the freezer for another day. I do this all the time - great to have good, healthy ready-made meals on hand! Thanks Bea for checking & have a great day!
Kenneth
I missed something, when do you add the lentils?
Bowl Me Over
Oh my goodness, I'm glad someone is paying attention Kenneth! Thank you so much for taking the time to comment, I've updated the recipe directions. Have a fabulous day! 😀
Angela @marathonsandmotivation.com
I love lentil soup & this recipe looks yummy! thanks for sharing 😉
Bowl Me Over
Thank you Angela, I hope you give this a try - so delicious!
Psychic Nest
Hi Debra,
What a fantastic soup! Full of flavors and so easy to make! Thank you so much for sharing this amazing recipe!
Zaria
Bowl Me Over
You are so welcome I hope you get a chance to try it, thank you!
Healing Tomato
I am a huge fan of Glucerna. This soup looks so deliciuos. Lentil soup is so perfect any time of the year and it is also very filling. I am going to try this recipe over the weekend.
Bowl Me Over
Awesome, I hope you really enjoy this soup it's one of our favorites! Gluecerna is a terrific product, we really enjoy it! Thanks for stopping by Rini!
Patty Haxton Anderson
You did an excellent job here Debra. I love lentils and the soup sounds warming and comforting and I love that it's ready in 30 minutes. Thanks for the insight about Diabetes and for sharing about your father.
Bowl Me Over
Thank you Patty - this is a soup we really enjoy. Dad has been so successful dealing with diabetes. I'm sure he's so successful because he is so disciplined and I would hope I could be also? In the meantime though, I'm working to hopefully not get there! 😀
Erin
Love lentils! I had gestational diabetes for my last 2 pregnancies and it really was eye-opening for me! Tough diet to follow!
Bowl Me Over
Boy howdy, I hear you there, it is a challenging diet!
Peter Block
I am a big fan of lentils and I am a big fan of the spices you used. Great dish.
Bowl Me Over
Thanks Peter - love this soup, I hope you give it a try!
Debi at Life Currents
Lentil soup has always been one of my favorites! I love this recipe! Thanks so much for sharing it!
Bowl Me Over
You bet Debi, enjoy!
Citra Kale @Citra's Home Diary
this is one of my husband's comfort food Debra.. thx for sharing
Bowl Me Over
Great, enjoy this soup!
Angela
Thank you for both this great recipe and the info on glucerna!
Bowl Me Over
You bet Angela - sure appreciate dropping by to comment on this post!
April J Harris
Your soup looks wonderful, Debra. I love the flavours you have used and it's so thick and satisfying too. I was interested to read about the Glucerna Hunger Smart Shakes - what a fantastic product for those with special dietary needs.
Bowl Me Over
Thanks April! Lots of good stuff in this blog post!
Jennifer A Stewart
My grandfather had diabetes and he had to watch what he ate. He loved potato soup but had to give it up. This would have been perfect for him!
Bowl Me Over
Oooh, that would be hard! I've made sweet potato soup for my Dad and he really enjoys that. Always interesting to work with all of the challenges.
KC the Kitchen Chopper
I always add lemon or vinegar to my soups. Like you said, it brightens the flavor. Your lentil soup sounds so delish. Love that you have healthful turmeric in there as well.
Bowl Me Over
Absolutely! Just brightens the flavors - I enjoyed taste testing this one to get it just right! 😉
Tara
This recipe looks so full of flavor, we love lentils here!!
Bowl Me Over
Me too Tara - yum, yum, yum!
Marye
It has been a long time since I have had a good lentil soup, this looks amazing!
Bowl Me Over
Thank you Marye - I hope you give it a try, let me know what you think!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Always a fan of some great lentil soup! So nourishing!
Bowl Me Over
I agree - nourishing and delish!
Christine
This sounds like a nice healthy meal that is delicious too!
Bowl Me Over
Thanks Christine - we really enjoyed this soup!