Inspired by the rich culinary traditions of Turkey, this hearty red lentil soup is the perfect blend of comfort, nutrition, and simplicity. Bursting with flavor and loaded with plant-based protein, it’s a soul-warming dish ideal for chilly days when you need something both satisfying and nourishing. The best part? It comes together effortlessly in just about 30 minutes, thanks to the convenience of an Instant Pot. Whether you’re looking for a quick weeknight dinner or a cozy weekend meal, this wholesome soup offers a delicious way to warm up from the inside out.
My Recipe Vs Traditional Turkish Lentil Soup
- This delicious recipe is a modern take on Turkish-inspired red lentil soup, a dish cherished for its comforting warmth and nourishing ingredients. Rooted in the rich culinary traditions of Turkey, the original version of this soup is celebrated for its depth of flavor and subtle use of spices that bring every spoonful to life.
- Traditionally, the recipe features Aleppo pepper, a spice known for its mildly sweet and fruity flavor with just a hint of heat. It adds a beautiful complexity without overpowering the dish. However, since Aleppo pepper can be difficult to find in some regions, I’ve opted for a more accessible alternative: paprika. While it doesn’t offer the exact same flavor profile, paprika still provides a gentle smokiness and warmth that complements the lentils beautifully, making it a practical and flavorful substitution.
- Another hallmark of the authentic Turkish version is the use of Tatlı biber salçası, a thick, savory paste made from sweet Turkish red peppers. This vibrant condiment is typically combined with a bit of oil to create a spiced topping that’s drizzled over the soup right before serving, adding a final layer of richness and visual appeal. Since this ingredient isn’t always easy to source, I’ve replaced it with tomato paste, a pantry staple that offers a similar umami depth and enhances the soup’s overall body and taste. When sautéed gently in oil, tomato paste makes a delicious and satisfying topping that pays homage to the original without requiring a trip to a specialty store.
- These thoughtful adaptations make this red lentil soup both accessible and deeply flavorful, staying true to its Turkish roots while offering a version that anyone can recreate at home. It’s the perfect choice for a quick, protein-packed meal that delivers comfort in every bite.
❤️ You’ll Love This Red Lentil Soup
Taste & Surface: Smooth, velvety surface soup with gently spiced, profound flavors from lentils, veggies, and flavors.
- Quick & Simple: With promptly accessible fixings and clear steps, this soup is exceptionally simple to get ready.
- Instant pot: The utilize of moment pot speeds up the lentil cooking prepare and the soup gets prepared in fair 30 minutes.
- Perfect for All Events: Serve it as a starter at a supper party or as a primary dish for a family dinner; its flexibility suits any setting.
🧾 Ingredient Notes
- Red Lentils (masoor dal): Red lentils offer a gently sweet and natural flavor and have a rich surface when cooked. Being a wealthy source of protein, they too include a wholesome punch to the soup.
- Olive Oil: Favored for its wealthy flavor, but you can utilize any unbiased oil.
- White Onion, Carrot, Celery, and Garlic: These vegetables form the base of the soup, including profundity of flavor.
- Potato: Includes thickness and creaminess to the soup’s texture.
- Tomato Paste: Utilized as a substitution for Turkish sweet pepper paste, it offers abundance and a tart undercurrent to the soup. When sautéed, tomato paste caramelizes somewhat, extending the soup’s flavor profile.
- Paprika, Cumin, Black Pepper, and Salt: Whereas paprika substitutes for Aleppo pepper, cumin includes a interesting warmth and grittiness. Together, they imitate the true Turkish smell and get-up-and-go. Black pepper too includes a kick, while salt equalizations out the flavors.
- Vegetable Stock: If you are utilizing pre-packaged, attempt to purchase the low-sodium form, so you can control the salt in your dish. I continuously utilize way better than bouillon vegetable base (which you have to break up in warm/hot water). I continuously keep that convenient in the refrigerator.
👩🍳 How To Make Red Lentil Soup In Instant Pot?
Prep: Take red lentils in a bowl and flush 2-3 times by rubbing softly utilizing fingers or until water is not cloudy any longer. Then again, you can flush the lentils in a colander beneath running tap water until water runs clear.
Make The Soup:
- Spark the Sauté Mode Start by turning on your Instant Pot and opting the” Sauté” function. Add a generous mizzle of olive oil painting to the pot and allow it to heat up for a nanosecond.
- Sauté the Aromatics Once the oil painting is hot, add in your diced onion, minced carrot, and finely diced celery. Stir everything together and add diced garlic along with a small pinch of swab to help draw out the humidity from the vegetables. Cook, stirring sometimes, until the onions come translucent and the vegetables begin to soften — this should take about 4 to 5 twinkles.
- Add Seasonings and Tomato Paste Stir in a many soupspoons of tomato paste, followed by swab and lately base black pepper to taste. Sprinkle in paprika and ground cumin for added depth of flavor. Let this admixture chef for about a nanosecond, stirring constantly to help sticking and to allow the spices to bloom.
- Deglaze if Necessary If the admixture starts sticking to the bottom of the pot, add a splash of vegetable broth or water to loosen any browned bits. Use a rustic ladle to gently scrape the bottom of the pot to help burning and enhance flavor.
Natural Pressure Release
5. Add the Main constituents Now, add in the minced potatoes and completely irrigated lentils. Pour in the vegetable stock, making sure there’s enough liquid to completely submerge all the constituents. Give everything a good stir to combine.
6. Pressure cuisine Secure the lid on the Instant Pot and insure the brume release stopcock is set to the “ Sealing ” position. elect the” Manual” or” Pressure Cook” function and set it to cook on high pressure for 8 twinkles.
7. Natural Pressure Release Once the cuisine cycle is complete, allow the pressure to release naturally. This generally takes around 10 – 15 twinkles. stay until the pressure index leg drops before opening the lid.
8, 9. Mix to Wanted thickness After opening the lid, give the haze a good stir. For a cottony texture, use an absorption blender directly in the pot to purée the haze to your asked thickness. Alternately, you can precisely transfer portions of the haze to a traditional blender and mix in batches. mix until smooth and delicate, or leave it slightly chunky for a further rustic texture.
Make The Topping:
1, 2) Prepare the Spiced Oil: In a small mixing container or bowl, combine a generous amount of olive oil with a spoonful of rich tomato paste and a dash of vibrant paprika. Stir the ingredients together thoroughly until they form a smooth, well-blended mixture. This will create a flavorful spiced oil that adds depth to your dish.
3) Inoculate the Flavors Transfer the admixture to a small saucepan or skillet and place it over medium heat. Allow the oil painting to warm gently, stirring sometimes. Once the admixture begins to bubble smoothly and the aroma becomes ambrosial, remove it from the heat incontinently to avoid burning the spices or tomato paste.
4, 5) Serving the Dish: When ready to serve, ladle the hot soup into individual bowls. Using a spoon, generously drizzle the warm, spiced oil over the top of the soup. The infused oil will create an appetizing visual contrast and introduce a burst of savory flavor. Serve the dish immediately while hot, allowing guests to enjoy the full sensory experience of the soup enhanced by the aromatic topping.
💭 Tips For Red Lentil Soup Recipe
- Always flush the lentils until the water is clear to evacuate tidy or debasements. Clean lentils guarantee the soup has a immaculate flavor.
- When sautéing the tomato paste and flavors, screen them closely to avoid them from burning. This keeps the soup free from any biting undertones.
- The soup will thicken upon cooling due to the starches from lentils and potatoes. You can include more stock or water to alter the consistency whereas warming.
- Avoid overcooking the topping blend, as paprika can effortlessly burn, giving a severe taste. Taking this additional care guarantees a satisfying and fragrant topping for your soup.
🥣 Storage Instructions
- To refrigerate, Store scraps in an airtight container for up to 4 days. store the soup in parcels in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. defrost in the fridge overnight and warm on the stove. Include additional water or stock to alter the consistency if needed.
🍽 Serving Ideas
This Turkish lentil soup can be served as an appetizer or as a main.
- Croutons: Include a crunchy differentiate with hand crafted or store-bought bread garnishes for an improved eating experience.
- Warm Bread: Culminate for plunging and splashing up the soup. The comforting feel of bread complements the rich surface of the soup, making each nibble wholesome. You can utilize any sort of bread you like.
