Description
This Smoky Red Lentil Soup with Spinach is a comforting and flavorful dish featuring tender red lentils simmered with aromatic spices like smoked paprika, cumin, and turmeric. Enriched with creamy coconut milk and fresh spinach, this vibrant soup is perfectly balanced with a hint of lemon and a touch of honey for subtle sweetness. It’s easy to prepare on the stovetop and pairs wonderfully with flatbread or naan for dipping.
Ingredients
Scale
Soup Base
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Half of an onion, minced
- 2 carrots, peeled and minced
- 2 stalks celery, minced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Spices and Lentils
- 2 tablespoons smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon turmeric
- 1 1/2 cups red lentils, rinsed
Liquids and Greens
- 5 cups vegetable broth
- One 14-ounce can full-fat coconut milk
- 1–2 cups fresh spinach, chopped
Seasonings and Optional
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt (more or less to taste)
- Juice of one lemon
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 teaspoons honey (optional, to taste)
To Serve
- 6 pieces of flatbread, naan, or crispy socca for dipping
Instructions
- Sauté the Vegetables: Heat the olive oil in a large soup pot over medium heat. Add the minced onion, carrot, and celery, and cook until softened and fragrant, about 5-10 minutes.
- Add Garlic, Spices, and Lentils: Stir in the minced garlic, smoked paprika, cumin, turmeric, and rinsed red lentils. Let cook for about one minute to release the aroma of the garlic and spices.
- Simmer the Soup: Pour in the vegetable broth and bring the mixture to a simmer. Place the lid partially on the pot and let it cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Finish with Coconut Milk and Spinach: Stir in the coconut milk, chopped spinach, kosher salt, and lemon juice. Add garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, and honey if desired to balance the flavors. Adjust seasoning to taste.
- Serve: Ladle the smoky red lentil soup into bowls and serve warm with flatbread, naan, or crispy socca on the side for dipping and dunking.
Notes
- You can adjust the thickness of the soup by adding more vegetable broth or letting it simmer a bit longer to reduce.
- For a spicier version, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or red chili flakes with the spices.
- If you prefer a smoother texture, blend the soup halfway through or before adding the coconut milk and spinach.
- Use homemade vegetable broth or low-sodium broth to control the salt content better.
- This soup is perfect for meal prep and tastes even better the next day.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Keywords: red lentil soup, smoky soup, vegetarian soup, coconut milk soup, spinach soup, healthy soup, easy lentil recipe, Mediterranean soup
