Egyptian Lentil Soup | Healthy & Perfect for Ramadan Iftar
- The Egyptian Cook
- Feb 27
- 2 min read
Updated: Feb 27
Lentil soup is a warm, comforting, and nourishing dish widely enjoyed in Egyptian culture and across the Middle East. This vegan version features red lentils gently cooked with vegetables and warm spices, then blended for a smooth, satisfying texture with the option to add orzo for extra heartiness. It is especially popular during the month of Ramadan, offering a wholesome way to break your fast while remaining gentle on the stomach. With its rich flavor and balanced simplicity, this Egyptian-style lentil soup is a reliable choice for both everyday meals and special occasions.
Ingredients
(Seasonings should be added to taste.)
2 carrots
1 yellow onion
1 tomato
2 cups red lentils
6 cups water
ground turmeric
ground cumin
sea salt
black pepper
½ cup orzo (optional)
fresh lemon juice (optional)
Instructions
Preparing the Vegetables
Begin by washing the red lentils twice under cold water until the water runs clearer, then set them aside.
Add peeled carrots to a pot along with yellow onion, tomato, the rinsed red lentils, 5 cups of water (reserving the sixth cup for later), and a pinch of sea salt. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium-low. Cover with a lid and allow it to cook for about 20 minutes without stirring, until everything becomes tender.
Blend Until Smooth
Once the vegetables and lentils are soft, use an immersion blender to purée the soup until smooth and creamy. If you prefer more texture, blend the vegetables while keeping the lentils mostly intact.
Season the Soup
Add turmeric, ground cumin, sea salt, and black pepper. Mix well to fully incorporate the spices and deepen the flavor of the soup.
Enhancing the Lentil Soup with Orzo (Optional)
For an extra hearty version, consider adding orzo pasta to the soup. Make sure the lentil soup is hot, then stir in the dry orzo along with the sixth cup of water reserved from earlier. Immediately stir well to prevent the orzo from clumping together or turning into one large mush ball. Continue stirring frequently over medium heat until the orzo is tender, about 10 minutes. When first added, the orzo may seem to disappear. Do not add more— it will expand as it cooks.
Serving and Final Touches
Once the lentil soup is ready, serve it warm with fresh lemon slices. Squeeze lemon juice into your bowl as desired for added brightness and flavor. Enjoy your warm and comforting Egyptian lentil soup.
Okay, khalas! If you try my recipe, post it on Instagram
and tag me @theegyptiancook... or else I will yell at you!
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