Description
This Smoky Red Lentil Soup with Spinach is a vibrant, hearty, and comforting dish packed with smoky paprika, creamy coconut milk, and fresh spinach. Perfect for a nutritious lunch or dinner, this soup combines the natural earthiness of red lentils with fragrant spices and a touch of lemon for brightness. Served with flatbread or naan, it is a wholesome and satisfying meal that is easy to make and full of flavor.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- ½ onion, minced
- 2 carrots, peeled and minced
- 2 stalks celery, minced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1½ cups red lentils, rinsed
- 5 cups vegetable broth
- 14-ounce can full-fat coconut milk
- 1–2 cups fresh spinach, chopped
- 6 pieces flatbread, naan, or crispy socca for dipping
Spices & Seasonings
- 2 tablespoons smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon cumin
- ½ teaspoon turmeric
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt (more or less to taste)
- Juice of one lemon
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 teaspoons honey (optional, to taste)
Instructions
- Sauté Vegetables: Heat the olive oil in a large soup pot over medium heat. Add the minced onion, carrots, and celery. Cook gently, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are softened, about 5 to 10 minutes.
- Add Garlic, Spices, and Lentils: Stir in the minced garlic, smoked paprika, cumin, turmeric, and rinsed red lentils. Cook for about one minute to release the aromas of the garlic and spices.
- Simmer with Broth: Pour in the vegetable broth and bring the soup to a simmer. Partially cover the pot with a lid and let it simmer gently for 10 minutes, stirring once or twice to prevent sticking.
- Add 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 to taste. Adjust seasoning as needed, allowing the spinach to wilt and the flavors to meld.
- Serve: Ladle the soup into bowls and serve warm alongside flatbread, naan, or crispy socca for dipping. Enjoy a wholesome, colorful, and deliciously smoky lentil soup.
Notes
- You can adjust the salt and honey according to your taste preferences.
- For a spicier version, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or chili flakes with the spices.
- Red lentils cook quickly; avoid overcooking to maintain some texture.
- This soup stores well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and freezes nicely for up to 2 months.
- Use vegetable broth for a vegetarian and vegan-friendly recipe.
- Optional: Garnish with fresh herbs like cilantro or parsley for added freshness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Simmering, Sautéing
- Cuisine: Mediterranean-inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (about 240 ml)
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 8g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: smoky lentil soup, red lentil soup, spinach soup, vegetarian soup, coconut milk soup, smoky paprika soup, healthy soup, easy lentil soup
