Looking for a comforting meal that’s quick, flavorful, and easy to prepare? This one pot recipe combines tender red lentils with a medley of North African spices to create a rich, hearty soup perfect for weeknights or gatherings.
With its creamy texture and vibrant flavors, it’s a dish that’s sure to become a staple in your recipe rotation. Plus, it’s all made in just one pot, making cleanup a breeze!
Why This Recipe Is Perfect for One Pot Cooking
This red lentil soup showcases the beauty of one pot meals. The process starts with sautéing onions and garlic to create a fragrant base, followed by blooming spices like cumin, coriander, and cinnamon for a rich, aromatic depth.
The lentils cook directly in the pot, soaking up all the flavors while becoming tender and creamy. All the ingredients work together seamlessly, and you don’t need to worry about multiple pans or complicated steps.
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Tips for Getting the Most out of the Spices
The blend of North African spices is what truly sets this soup apart. To unlock their full potential, lightly toast the spices in olive oil before adding the liquid ingredients. This intensifies the flavors, giving the soup its warmth and depth.
Adjust the cayenne pepper to your spice tolerance, and don’t skip the lemon juice at the end—it adds a bright, tangy finish that balances the richness of the soup beautifully.
Make It Your Own with Substitutions & Variations
This one pot recipe is incredibly versatile. Here are some ideas to adapt it to your preferences:
- Vegetarian or vegan: Use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth for a plant-based version.
- Spice variations: Swap out the cinnamon for smoked paprika for a different flavor profile.
- Add greens: Stir in a handful of spinach or kale just before serving for added nutrition.
- Proteins: Add shredded chicken or chickpeas to make the soup heartier.
These small tweaks allow you to tailor the soup to fit your mood, dietary needs, or what you have on hand.
Serving Suggestions & Pairings
This red lentil soup is a complete meal on its own, but it pairs beautifully with some simple sides. Serve it with warm crusty bread or pita to scoop up the creamy goodness.
A dollop of harissa adds a smoky kick, while fresh cilantro sprinkled on top gives it a refreshing pop of color and flavor. For a balanced Mediterranean-inspired meal, consider serving it alongside a fresh cucumber-tomato salad.
Why You’ll Love This One Pot Recipe
From its one pot simplicity to its vibrant flavor, this red lentil soup has so much to offer. It’s a quick and satisfying meal for busy weeknights but also impressive enough to serve to guests.
The creamy texture, bold spices, and bright finishing touches make every spoonful memorable. Best of all, you’ll only need 45 minutes and a handful of pantry staples to create this comforting and flavorful dish.
Soup Recipe
Simple Red Lentil Soup with North African Spices One Pot Recipe
Equipment
- Large saucepan
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil plus extra for serving
- 1 large onion chopped fine
- 1 teaspoon table salt
- 3/4 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- Pinch of cayenne pepper
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 garlic clove minced
- 4 cups chicken or vegetable broth plus extra as needed
- 2 cups water
- 10 1/2 ounces 1 1/2 cups red lentils, picked over and rinsed
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice plus extra for seasoning
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
Instructions
- Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium heat until shimmering. Add onion and salt, and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in coriander, cumin, ginger, pepper, cinnamon, and cayenne; cook until fragrant, about 2 minutes. Add tomato paste and garlic, and cook for 1 minute.
- Stir in broth, water, and lentils, bringing to a vigorous simmer. Cook, stirring occasionally, until lentils are soft and about half have broken down, approximately 15 minutes.
- Whisk the soup vigorously until it forms a coarse puree, about 30 seconds. Adjust the consistency with extra hot broth, as needed. Stir in lemon juice, and season with additional salt and lemon juice to taste.
- Serve hot, garnished with cilantro, a drizzle of olive oil, and additional lemon juice if desired.
Davin is a jack-of-all-trades but has professional training and experience in various home and garden subjects. He leans on other experts when needed and edits and fact-checks all articles.