Caramelized Onion Red Lentil Soup Recipe
This Caramelized Onion Red Lentil Soup is a comforting and flavorful dish featuring sweet caramelized onions, hearty red lentils, and aromatic spices like cumin and smoked paprika. Perfect for a cozy meal, this soup is easy to prepare on the stovetop and can be enjoyed chunky or blended smooth. Garnished with fresh herbs and a splash of lemon juice, it delivers a warm, satisfying experience that’s both nutritious and delicious.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Middle Eastern
- Diet: Vegan
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 large onions, thinly sliced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1.5 cups red lentils, rinsed and drained
- 6 cups vegetable broth or water
- 1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes
- 2 carrots, diced
- 1 teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
- ½ teaspoon black pepper (adjust to taste)
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
Garnish
- Fresh parsley or cilantro for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Caramelize the Onions: Heat the olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the sliced onions and a pinch of salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, for about 15-20 minutes until the onions become soft, caramelized, and golden brown, developing a rich, sweet flavor.
- Add Aromatics and Spices: Once the onions are caramelized, add the minced garlic, ground cumin, and smoked paprika to the pot. Stir continually for 1-2 minutes until the spices are fragrant and well combined with the onions.
- Cook the Carrots: Add diced carrots to the pot and cook for an additional 5 minutes, allowing them to soften slightly and absorb the spice flavors.
- Add Lentils and Liquids: Pour in the rinsed red lentils, vegetable broth (or water), and diced tomatoes. Stir thoroughly to combine all ingredients, then bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat.
- Simmer the Soup: Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let the soup simmer gently for about 20 minutes or until the lentils are tender and cooked through.
- Blend if Desired: Use an immersion blender to blend the soup to your preferred texture if you desire a smooth consistency; otherwise, leave the soup chunky for a heartier bite.
- Season the Soup: Stir in salt, black pepper, and lemon juice. Taste and adjust the seasoning as needed to balance the flavors perfectly.
- Serve and Garnish: Serve the soup hot, garnished with fresh parsley or cilantro if desired, adding a fresh and vibrant finish to the dish.
Notes
- Caramelizing the onions slowly is key to developing deep flavor; do not rush this step.
- Adjust the amount of water or broth for your preferred soup thickness.
- For extra protein, add a dollop of plain yogurt or a sprinkle of feta cheese when serving.
- This soup can be made gluten free by ensuring the broth used is gluten free.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 3 months.
Keywords: Caramelized Onion Soup, Red Lentil Soup, Vegan Lentil Soup, Middle Eastern Soup, Healthy Soup
