Ingredients
Scale
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
- 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin (optional for extra flavor depth)
- 1 cup red lentils, rinsed
- 2 carrots, peeled and chopped
- 4 cups low-sodium vegetable broth
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- Pinch of ground black pepper (enhances turmeric absorption)
- Juice of ½ lemon
- 2 cups fresh spinach or chopped kale
- Fresh parsley or cilantro, for garnish
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large soup pot over medium heat. Add diced onion and sauté for 4–5 minutes, until translucent.
- Stir in garlic, grated ginger, and ground turmeric. Add cumin if using. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Add chopped carrots and red lentils. Stir to coat with the spice mixture.
- Pour in vegetable broth. Add a pinch of black pepper and bring the soup to a boil.
- Reduce heat, cover the pot, and let simmer for 20–25 minutes until lentils and carrots are soft.
- Use an immersion blender to purée the soup until creamy (or leave slightly chunky for texture, if preferred).
- Stir in fresh spinach or kale. Simmer for 2–3 more minutes until greens are wilted.
- Remove from heat. Add lemon juice, taste, and adjust salt and pepper as needed.
- Serve hot, garnished with chopped fresh herbs and an optional swirl of coconut milk for extra creaminess.
Notes
- For an extra creamy texture, add 1/2 cup coconut milk at the end.
- The pinch of black pepper is important — it increases the bioavailability of curcumin in turmeric.
- Add a small handful of cooked quinoa or brown rice for a more filling meal.
- This soup freezes well, but add greens fresh after reheating for best texture.
- Use golden beets or yellow squash for variety in color and nutrients.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop simmer
- Cuisine: Fusion
- Diet: Vegan
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl (approx. 1½ cups)
- Calories: 240
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 7g
- Protein: 10g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: anti-inflammatory soup, turmeric ginger lentil soup, healing soup, vegan comfort food, immune-boosting dinner, dairy-free soup, clean eating, healthy vegan recipe