Quick Meals
Cozy Lentil Soup for Weeknights
A pot of humble lentils transformed by cumin, tomato, and a bright squeeze of lemon.
Photo by Cala on Unsplash
This is the soup to make when the week has been long and the fridge has been ignored. It uses very little and delivers a lot.
Ingredients
Red lentils soften quickly, giving the broth body without cream or blending. A can of tomatoes adds brightness, and lemon keeps the pot from feeling heavy.
Weeknight rhythm
Start the soup, warm flatbread while it simmers, and set out yogurt, herbs, and chili oil for the table.
How to make it
- 1
Bloom cumin in olive oil until fragrant.
- 2
Add onion and carrots, then cook until softened.
- 3
Stir in lentils, tomatoes, and broth. Simmer until the lentils dissolve into the broth.
- 4
Season with salt and lemon juice, then finish each bowl with yogurt.
Serving notes
Serve with a torn heel of good bread, a green salad sharp with lemon, and a glass of something cold. Leftovers reheat beautifully with a splash of pasta water.
Reviews
What cooks are saying
Reader notes
Made this on a Tuesday and my whole family went quiet at the table. The highest compliment.
Really lovely. I added a pinch of chili flakes for heat and it worked beautifully.
The instructions were clear and the timing was accurate.
This tasted like something from a little neighborhood trattoria. Simple, cozy, and very repeatable.
I appreciated the exact visual cues. Mine came out right on the first try.
