Turmeric Ginger Red Lentil Soup Recipe (2024)

Published: · Modified: by Shadi HasanzadeNemati · This post may contain affiliate links .

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Ready in only 30 minutes, this turmeric ginger red lentil soup is everyone's favorite. This is a healthy and hearty soup recipe that's full of flavor!

Turmeric Ginger Red Lentil Soup Recipe (1)

My readers probably know by now that I'm a big fan of easy soup recipes, especially ones that are made with lentils. Give me a bowl of Mediterranean green lentil soup, instant pot lentil soup, Moroccan red lentil soup or Turkish red lentil soup and I'm happy! This red lentil soup recipe is another staple in our home. It's full of aromatic and tasty spices!

Table Of Contents:
  • About this recipe
  • Ingredients
  • Instructions
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • How to make this soup in instant pot
  • Notes and tips
  • More soup recipes
  • Step-by-Step Recipe

About this recipe

Nothing beats a delicious creamy lentil soup when you're craving comfort food. It's easy and can be ready in only 30 minutes.

This recipe is all about spices and flavors. The combination of garlic, ginger and spicesadd a lot of flavor to the soup. Red lentils don't have much flavor on their own, but they have an amazing creamy texture once cooked that nicely complements the warm flavors.

Turmeric Ginger Red Lentil Soup Recipe (2)

Ingredients

Olive oil: I love using extra virgin olive oil for cooking. The fruitiness and earthiness of a good quality olive oil enhances the flavor of simple ingredients.

Onion, garlic and ginger: Every delicious dish starts with sauteing onion and garlic in some olive oil. Don't be shy when it comes to using garlic: the more the merrier! As for ginger, you can use freshly grated ginger or ginger powder.

Pro tip:Keep some ginger in the freezer and simply grate it when you need it for a recipe.

Red lentils: Red lentils come with many benefits. They lower cholesterol and help with digestion. You can find red lentils at almost any supermarket. They are small, and when cooked, they fall apart and become very creamy. Not only they're great for soup, but you can also make other dishes such as vegan lentil meatballs using red lentils.

Spices: Cumin, turmeric, paprika and salt are the spices used in this recipe. If you like spicy soups, you can add a bit of cayenne pepper.

Turmeric Ginger Red Lentil Soup Recipe (3)

Instructions

  • Heat olive oil in a pot over medium heat. Sauté onion, garlic and ginger until the onion is translucent and golden.
  • Add cumin, turmeric, and paprika and salt to the ingredients you just sautéed. Stir to combine so the spices start releasing their aromas. Next, add in the red lentils and stir for one minute.
Turmeric Ginger Red Lentil Soup Recipe (4)
  • Add in the water or vegetable stock and bring the soup to a simmer. Cover and cook for about 25 to 30 minutes until the lentils are creamy and fully cooked.
  • Right before serving this red lentil soup, add a squeeze of lemon juice and give it a nice stir. Lemon juice gives this soup some brightness and fresh flavor.
Turmeric Ginger Red Lentil Soup Recipe (5)

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to blend this soup?

I didn't blend this turmeric ginger lentil soup after cooking but you can of course blend it with an immersion blender (or, for that matter, in a standard blender) if you want an even smoother soup.

What is the difference between red lentils and green lentils?

Red lentils turn yellow when they're cooked and they get very very soft whereas green lentils hold their shape and stay green/light brown once they're cooked.

How long does red lentil soup keep?

You can make a big batch of this soup and refrigerate it in an airtight container for up to 4 days. To reheat, transfer the soup to a sauce pan, add ⅓ cup water and simmer over medium low heat, stirring occasionally.

How can I freeze this soup?

Store the soup in a freezer safe container and freeze for up to 3 months. To serve, simply transfer the frozen soup to a sauce pan or a pot and add ½ to 1 cup water. Simmer over medium low until the soup is completely heated through.

How to make this soup in instant pot

It's very easy to make red lentil soup in instant pot:

  • Press the sauté function and sauté onion, garlic and ginger until translucent.
  • Add in spices and stir well to combine.
  • Stir in lentils and add 4-5 cups of water to the pot.
  • Lock the lid and press pressure cook and set the valve to seal and set the timer for 10 minutes.
  • Once the cooking time ends, turn the valve to venting and do a quick release and serve.
Turmeric Ginger Red Lentil Soup Recipe (6)

Notes and tips

  • A small amount of turmeric goes a long way so you want to make sure you don't overuse it - otherwise the dish will be overpowering.
  • For a creamier texture, blend the soup in a blender on high for 3 minutes.
  • If fresh ginger is not available, you can use 1 teaspoon ginger powder.
  • If you like this red lentil soup to be spicy, add ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper to the soup at the end.
  • Red lentils absorb a lot of water; if the soups starts to be very thick, add in half a cup of water at a time.
  • You can also make this delicious red lentil soup with vegetable broth.

More soup recipes

  • Easy French Onion Soup Recipe
  • Lemon Chicken And Rice Soup Recipe
  • Ful Medames Recipe (Egyptian Fava Beans)
  • Perfect White Bean Soup Recipe

Did you make this recipe? I'd love to hear about it! Please comment and leave a 5-star🌟 rating below. You can also follow us on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest or subscribe to our newsletter to get a free e-Cookbook!

Step-by-Step Recipe

Turmeric Ginger Red Lentil Soup Recipe (11)

Turmeric Red Lentil Soup Recipe

Shadi HasanzadeNemati

Ready in only 30 minutes, this turmeric ginger red lentil soup is everyone's favorite. This is a healthy and hearty soup recipe that's full of flavor!

4.65 from 74 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 25 minutes mins

Total Time 30 minutes mins

Course Main Course

Cuisine Mediterranean

Servings 4 servings

Calories 413 kcal

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoon Olive Oil
  • 2 Onions Diced
  • 4 cloves Garlic Minced
  • 2 teaspoon Ginger
  • 1 ½ teaspoon Turmeric
  • 1 teaspoon cumin
  • 1 teaspoon Paprika
  • 2 cup Red Lentils
  • 6-7 cups Water or broth
  • 2 teaspoon Salt

Instructions

  • Heat the olive oil in a largepot over medium heat.

  • Saute onion until translucent. Add in garlic and ginger and give it a nice stir.

  • Add in turmeric , cumin and paprika. Saute for two minutes until the spices release their aromas.

  • Add in red lentils, stir for a minute.

  • Add in the water and turn the heat up so the soup starts simmering. Lower the heat, cover and cook for 25 to 30 minutes until the lentils are fully cooked. Add in salt to taste.

  • Serve warm.

Video

Notes

  • A small amount of turmeric goes a long way so you want to make sure you don't overuse it - otherwise the dish will be overpowering.
  • For a creamier texture, blend the soup in a blender on high for 3 minutes.
  • If fresh ginger is not available, you can use 1 teaspoon ginger powder.
  • If you like this red lentil soup to be spicy, add ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper to the soup at the end.
  • Red lentils absorb a lot of water; if the soups starts to be very thick, add in half a cup of water at a time.
  • You can also make this delicious red lentil soup with vegetable broth.
  • Red lentils absorb a lot of water, if the soup is too thick, add another half a cup of water.

Nutrition

Calories: 413kcalCarbohydrates: 61gProtein: 24gFat: 8gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gSodium: 1190mgPotassium: 996mgFiber: 29gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 289IUVitamin C: 9mgCalcium: 87mgIron: 8mg

Did you make this recipe? Let us know how it was by leaving a comment and a 5-star review!

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. nelson rodriguez

    El resultado fue magnífico. Agradezco a Unicorns in the kitchen esta deliciosa receta. Seguiré cocinando con ustedes.
    NERG

    Reply

  2. Gina M

    Turmeric Ginger Red Lentil Soup Recipe (16)
    Not only is this soup easy to make but also insanely tasty! Always enjoy this anytime I make it!

    Reply

  3. Allison

    Turmeric Ginger Red Lentil Soup Recipe (17)
    This was so flavorful! I served it with a green salad and it was the perfect meal!

    Reply

  4. Milhouse

    We double the garlic, ginger, and cumin, and use six cups of water. Comes out great!!

    Reply

  5. barbara

    is that dried or fresh ginger?

    Reply

    • Shadi HasanzadeNemati

      Fresh ginger is preferred.

      Reply

  6. Missy

    Is it okay to soak the red lentils prior to cooking them?

    Reply

    • Shadi HasanzadeNemati

      They cook in 20 minutes there is no need to soak them 🙂

      Reply

  7. Beth

    Turmeric Ginger Red Lentil Soup Recipe (18)
    Healthy, flavorful and ready in 30 minutes? Sign me up! Perfect dish that the whole family will love!

    Reply

  8. Sara Welch

    Turmeric Ginger Red Lentil Soup Recipe (19)
    I love soup season for recipes just like this one! Enjoyed this for dinner last night and it did not disappoint! So hearty and flavorful; easily, a new favorite recipe!

    Reply

  9. Seema Sriram

    Turmeric Ginger Red Lentil Soup Recipe (20)
    We loved this soup. It was so soothing, filling and did we did not crave for the midnight snack. This will permanently be on the menu for ever.

    Reply

  10. Heather Johnson

    Turmeric Ginger Red Lentil Soup Recipe (21)
    so delicious - comforting yummy soup - love it!

    Reply

  11. Angela

    Turmeric Ginger Red Lentil Soup Recipe (22)
    Love this soup! It's so healthy and easy to make. I even like eating it cold. Thanks for the awesome recipe... I'll be making this all fall!

    Reply

  12. Kristen Wood

    Turmeric Ginger Red Lentil Soup Recipe (23)
    This was so hearty and filling! Thanks for the fabulous recipe!!

    Reply

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Turmeric Ginger Red Lentil Soup Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Do I need to rinse lentils before making soup? ›

Rinse. On occasion, you'll find small rocks or debris mixed in with dried lentils. To avoid eating them, rinse the lentils in a fine mesh sieve and pick them over before you cook them.

How do you make red lentils easier to digest? ›

1> Rinse and soak: Before cooking, rinse the lentils thoroughly under cold water to remove any debris. Soaking them for a few hours or overnight can help reduce their cooking time and make them easier to digest. Soaking also helps to remove some of the compounds that can cause digestive discomfort.

What are the benefits of turmeric soup? ›

One of the benefits of turmeric is its ability to increase the antioxidant capacity of the body. Oxidative damage can lead to aging and a number of other diseases. It involves free radicals, which tend to react with important organic substances like fatty acids, DNA, and protein.

Is red lentil soup good for you? ›

Incorporating red lentils to your diet can help you easily meet your fiber and protein needs. Red lentils also contain a significant amount of folate, which is a superhero involved in cell division. If someone eating plant-based does not get enough folate, it can affect the way DNA is made in our body.

What happens if you forgot to rinse red lentils? ›

A typical packet doesn't say to rinse them. With red lentils the only reaosn I can see for rinsing is to (slightly) reduce foaming; with Puy lentils and some others even that's not an issue and you may lose flavour.

Which color lentils are best for soup? ›

Red lentils are best for soups, curries, dals, and anything that craves a creamy, thicker, more comforting touch.

Are red lentils anti-inflammatory? ›

Lentil extracts have shown antidiabetic properties, reaching maximum values of 94% for α-amylase inhibition (Ogunyemi et al., 2022). Moreover, lentils have strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties with the potential of reducing the risk of heart disease and supporting overall health in diabetic patients.

Is it okay to eat red lentils every day? ›

Eating half a cup of cooked lentils gives you lots of essential nutrients and their high fiber content makes you feel full. However, the fiber in lentils can be hard for your body to break down. Eating too many lentils can cause gas, bloating, and cramping.

Are lentils good for bowel movements? ›

A 1/2-cup serving of boiled lentils contains an impressive 7.8 g of fiber. Eating lentils may also help increase the production of butyric acid, a type of short-chain fatty acid found in your colon. This could increase the movement of your digestive tract to promote bowel movements.

Who should not take turmeric? ›

People who should not take turmeric include those with gallbladder problems, bleeding disorders, diabetes, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), infertility, iron deficiency, liver disease, hormone-sensitive conditions, and arrhythmia. Pregnant women and those who are going to undergo surgery should not use turmeric.

What organ is turmeric good for? ›

Turmeric is widely used in cooking and gives Indian curry its flavor and yellow color. It is also used in mustard and to color butter and cheese. Turmeric has been used in both Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine as an anti-inflammatory, to treat digestive and liver problems, skin diseases, and wounds.

How much ginger and turmeric a day? ›

Ginger root extract is available in supplement form as well, which has been shown to be most effective when taken in doses between 1,500–2,000 mg daily ( 17 , 18 ). Turmeric, on the other hand, is great for adding a pop of color to dishes such as casseroles, frittatas, dips, and dressings.

Which color lentil is healthiest? ›

Black Lentils (Beluga lentils)

Thanks to the robust flavor, these lentils pair well with meaty veggies and marinated proteins like mushrooms, tofu, and seitan. Best of all, black lentils are the most nutritious variety of lentils, boasting the highest amount of protein, plus high levels of calcium, potassium, and iron.

Is chickpea or red lentil better? ›

Chickpea and lentils both only contain what scientists consider "good fats." Therefore, Chickpeas are better as they have more "good fats." Lentils have more dietary fiber than Chickpeas. Fiber is a strange nutrient. It doesn't provide calories and doesn't stick around your body.

Is lentil soup OK for kidneys? ›

Lentils are an excellent source of plant-based kidney friendly protein, rich in vitamins, minerals and fiber. Whether used in a soup, salad, or main dish, lentils are a hearty, healthy addition to any meal. Buy lentils in dried, canned, or frozen forms.

Is it necessary to Rinse lentils? ›

Lentils to do not require soaking like other pulses. Rinse your lentils with fresh water before boiling to remove any dust or debris. Cook on a stovetop, using 3 cups of liquid (water, stock, etc) to 1 cup of dry lentils. Be sure to use a large enough saucepan as the lentils will double or triple in size.

What happens if you don't soak lentils before cooking? ›

Here's why soaking lentils is important

Fact 1: Soaking lentils improves digestion and nutrition absorption as it can neutralise lectins and phytates present that may cause gas and bloating. Fact 2: Soaking lentils also reduces its cooking time.

Should all water be absorbed when cooking lentils? ›

Lentils aren't rice—they don't need to absorb every last drop of cooking liquid.

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