If you’re craving comfort in a bowl, this Spiced Carrot and Lentil Soup is the answer! Packed with cozy warming spices and a glorious sunset-orange color, it’s the kind of soup that nourishes your body and your soul at the same time.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Bursting With Flavor: The combination of cumin, coriander, and chilli means each spoonful is layered with warmth and spice—never boring!
- Naturally Creamy & Satisfying: Red lentils break down as they cook, giving the soup a rich, velvety texture without any dairy.
- Quick Weeknight-Ready: Start to finish, this soup comes together in under an hour, making it a cozy, fuss-free dinner.
- Nutrient-Packed: Between the vitamin-rich carrots and protein-filled lentils, you’re fueling up on goodness in every bowl.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of this Spiced Carrot and Lentil Soup is that it’s built from basic ingredients you may already have on hand, but each one brings something essential—sweetness, earthiness, or that touch of magic only spices provide.
- Oil: Just a little helps soften the onions and bloom the spices, drawing out their full, aromatic flavor.
- Onion: The flavor foundation! It adds sweetness and depth as it gently cooks.
- Garlic: Fresh garlic gives a wonderful punch of flavor that lifts the entire soup.
- Ground Coriander & Cumin: These two powerhouse spices create the soup’s warm, earthy backbone.
- Chilli Powder: Adds that customizable heat—start with less if you’re spice-shy and work your way up!
- Turmeric: Lends a subtle peppery warmth and that stunning golden glow.
- Ginger (ground): Freshens up the soup with a gentle, zingy kick.
- Carrots: The star of the show! They bring sweetness, vibrant color, and silky texture when blended.
- Red Lentils: These cook quickly and break down beautifully, naturally thickening the soup.
- Vegetable Stock: Enriches the flavors and ensures everything melds together smoothly.
- Fresh Coriander (cilantro): Adds an herby, citrusy pop at the end that totally brightens the soup.
Variations
This Spiced Carrot and Lentil Soup is delicious as written, but don’t let that stop you from putting your own spin on it! It’s endlessly flexible, so you can adjust the seasonings, swap vegetables, or make it fit any dietary need or craving.
- Coconut Carrot and Lentil Soup: Stir in a can of coconut milk at the end for extra richness and a gentle, tropical twist.
- Extra Veggie Boost: Toss in cubes of sweet potato, parsnip, or even chopped spinach for more veggie goodness and texture variety.
- Smoky Spiced Soup: Add a teaspoon of smoked paprika to infuse the soup with irresistible depth and a hint of smokiness.
- Lemon & Herb Finish: Squeeze in fresh lemon juice and scatter extra herbs on top for brightness and zing.
How to Make Spiced Carrot and Lentil Soup
Step 1: Sauté the Aromatics
Start by warming the oil in a large soup pot over medium heat. Add the diced onion and let it cook, stirring occasionally, for about 5-7 minutes. You’re aiming for soft, translucent onion with a hint of sweetness—this is the foundation of flavor for your Spiced Carrot and Lentil Soup. Stir in the garlic for the last minute, so it becomes fragrant but doesn’t brown.
Step 2: Toast the Spices
Next up are the spices: coriander, cumin, chilli, turmeric, and ground ginger. Sprinkle them into the pot and cook for just 1 minute, stirring constantly. This quick toasting wakes up the spices, making their aromas bloom and infusing every bit of the onion and garlic with warmth. You’ll know it’s ready when everyone in your kitchen starts asking, “What smells so good?”
Step 3: Simmer the Soup
Add in your sliced carrots, rinsed red lentils, and the vegetable stock. Crank up the heat to bring things to a gentle simmer, then reduce and let it bubble away, uncovered, for about 25 minutes. The carrots should be fork-tender and the lentils will break down into a gorgeous, thick base—that’s the secret to the soup’s creamy texture.
Step 4: Blend Until Silky Smooth
When everything is cooked through, it’s time to blend! Use an immersion (stick) blender right in the pot or carefully transfer the soup to a blender in batches. Blend until perfectly smooth, or leave a little texture—totally your call. Just make sure to let some steam escape if you’re using a regular blender.
Step 5: Finish and Season
Stir in a generous handful of chopped fresh coriander. Taste, then season with salt and pepper to your liking. Pour the Spiced Carrot and Lentil Soup into bowls, top as desired, and get ready to enjoy a hug in a bowl!
Pro Tips for Making Spiced Carrot and Lentil Soup
- Chop Carrots Evenly: Slicing the carrots to similar thickness ensures they cook at the same rate and blend smoothly for a velvety soup.
- Bloom Your Spices: Letting the dry spices cook in oil for a minute is the key to unlocking their deepest flavors—don’t rush this step!
- Adjust Chili to Taste: If you like things milder, start with less chili powder—you can always add a pinch more at the end for a spicy kick.
- Blend With Caution: If using a standard blender, puree the soup in small batches and leave room for steam to escape to avoid any mishaps.
How to Serve Spiced Carrot and Lentil Soup
Garnishes
Top your Spiced Carrot and Lentil Soup with a flourish of fresh coriander, a dollop of plant-based yogurt, crunchy pumpkin seeds, or a swirl of chili oil if you like it fiery. These add extra color, texture, and layers of flavor—plus, they make your bowl Instagram-worthy!
Side Dishes
This vibrant soup loves company! Try it with warm naan or crusty sourdough bread for dipping, a simple green salad dressed with lemon, or even crispy chickpeas for extra protein and crunch alongside.
Creative Ways to Present
Serve your Spiced Carrot and Lentil Soup in pretty mugs for a cozy appetizer, or pour it into shallow bowls and top with artistic streaks of yogurt and a scattering of microgreens for a dinner party—you’ll look like a pro!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Got extra soup? Let it cool to room temperature, then transfer it into an airtight container. Stored in the fridge, your Spiced Carrot and Lentil Soup stays fresh for up to four days, ready to rescue any busy weeknight.
Freezing
This soup freezes like a dream! Pour cooled soup into freezer-safe containers or bags, leaving a little room for expansion. It will keep for up to three months, so you can defrost sunshine on a rainy day.
Reheating
To reheat, simply warm the soup gently on the stovetop over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally until hot. If it’s thickened in the fridge, add a splash of water or stock to get it just right. Microwave reheating in short bursts works just as well for single servings!
FAQs
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Can I use brown or green lentils instead of red lentils?
You can, but keep in mind that red lentils cook much faster and create a smooth, creamy texture that’s perfect for this soup. Brown or green lentils will remain firmer and take longer to cook, which will give your soup a chunkier, earthier feel.
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Is this Spiced Carrot and Lentil Soup spicy?
The heat level is totally customizable! If you’re sensitive to spice, use the lower amount of chili powder and taste before adding more. For fire-lovers, bump up the chili or add a pinch of crushed red pepper at the end.
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Can I make this soup in advance?
Absolutely—this soup actually gets even more flavorful after a night in the fridge. Just reheat, stir in a splash of water or stock if needed, and you’re ready to serve.
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What can I substitute for fresh coriander?
If you’re not a fan, try parsley or fresh dill for a different herbal brightness. Or simply leave it out—the soup is still lovely and flavorful without it!
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for a hearty, wholesome bowl of comfort, this Spiced Carrot and Lentil Soup is the answer every single time. Give it a try—you’ll fall in love with its nourishing flavors and easy, warming charm!
Print
Spiced Carrot and Lentil Soup Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: International
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Spiced Carrot and Lentil Soup is a flavorful and comforting dish that is perfect for a cozy meal. The combination of aromatic spices, hearty lentils, and sweet carrots creates a satisfying soup that is sure to warm you up.
Ingredients
For the Soup:
- 1 tablespoon oil
- 1 onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1–2 teaspoon chili
- 1/2 teaspoon turmeric
- 1/2 teaspoon ginger
- 600 grams carrots, sliced
- 150 grams red lentils
- 1.5 litres vegetable stock
- 1 handful fresh coriander, chopped
Instructions
- Heat the oil: Heat the oil in a pot on a medium heat. Sauté the onion for 5-7 minutes until soft and translucent.
- Add spices: Add in the garlic and sauté for a further 1 minute. Add in the ground coriander, cumin, chili, turmeric, and ginger. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Cook vegetables: Add in the sliced carrots, red lentils, and vegetable stock to the pot. Simmer for 25 minutes until the carrots and lentils are tender.
- Blend the soup: Once cooked, use a hand blender to blend the soup until smooth. Alternatively, you could use a stand-alone blender.
- Season and serve: Stir in the chopped coriander. Taste and add salt and pepper as required. Serve in bowls with desired garnishes.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 155
- Sugar: 9.1g
- Sodium: 127.5mg
- Fat: 4.2g
- Saturated Fat: 0.6g
- Carbohydrates: 26.1g
- Fiber: 8.2g
- Protein: 5.5g
