Turkish Spinach and Lentil Soup

Warm up with a comforting bowl of Turkish Spinach and Lentil Soup—a fragrant, hearty dish that's both nutritious and bursting with Mediterranean flavors. This wholesome recipe combines tender red lentils, vibrant spinach, and aromatic spices like cumin and paprika, all simmered in a rich vegetable broth. Sautéed onions, carrots, and a touch of tomato paste deepen the flavor, while a squeeze of fresh lemon juice adds a refreshing tang. Ready in just under an hour, this soup is ideal for a satisfying lunch or dinner, with optional red chili flakes for a kick of heat. Perfect for vegetarians and those seeking a healthy, protein-packed meal, this soup is a must-try addition to your meatless comfort food repertoire!

Nutriscore Rating: 80/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:35 mins

Total Time:50 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 large onion
• 3 pieces garlic cloves
• 1 medium carrot
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon ground paprika
• 1 cup red lentils
• 6 cups vegetable broth
• 6 cups spinach
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 medium lemon
• 0.25 teaspoon red chili flakes (optional)

Directions

Step 1

Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.

Step 2

Finely chop the onion and garlic. Peel and dice the carrot into small pieces.

Step 3

Add the chopped onion and carrot to the pot, and sauté for 5 minutes until the vegetables are softened.

Step 4

Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another 1-2 minutes, stirring frequently.

Step 5

Add the tomato paste, ground cumin, and ground paprika to the pot, and stir well to combine.

Step 6

Rinse the red lentils under cold water until the water runs clear, then add them to the pot.

Step 7

Pour in the vegetable broth and bring the mixture to a boil. Once boiling, lower the heat to a simmer, cover the pot, and cook for 20 minutes.

Step 8

While the soup is simmering, wash the spinach thoroughly and chop it coarsely.

Step 9

After 20 minutes, stir in the spinach, salt, black pepper, and red chili flakes (if using). Cook for an additional 5 minutes until the spinach is wilted and tender.

Step 10

Taste the soup and adjust the seasoning with more salt or pepper if needed.

Step 11

Serve the soup hot with a generous squeeze of fresh lemon juice over each bowl.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	2144.3 grams (2144.3g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1231

Total Fat 43.60g	56%
Saturated Fat 7.30g	37%
Polyunsaturated Fat 7.20g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 5956mg	259%
Total Carbohydrate 171.40g	62%
Dietary Fiber 43.60g	156%
Total Sugars 42.30g
Protein 53.00g	106%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 471mg	36%
Iron 20mg	109%
Potassium 5136mg	109%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 30.4%

Protein: 16.4%

Carbs: 53.1%