My simple middle eastern lentil soup is a comforting and flavorful dish made with just eight key ingredients in the instant pot. The heart of this soup is the earthy red lentils, simmered to perfection, creating a velvety base. The addition of aromatic onions sautéed in olive oil infuses it with savory depth, while a touch of cumin and salt offers warm, spiced notes. To brighten it up, a squeeze of fresh lemon juice adds a citrusy zing. This uncomplicated yet delightful soup showcases the beauty of middle eastern cuisine in its simplicity.
Although this lentil soup recipe can be enjoyed year round, this recipe shines during the colder months when the air is crisp and you're searching for warmth and comfort.
If you love this soup, you will love my authentic One Pot Libyan soup and my healthy instant pot chicken noodle soup.
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Ingredients
- Olive Oil
- Onion, Chopped
- Cumin
- Salt
- Red Lentils, Rinsed and Drained
- Chicken Bone Broth (Optional)
- Chicken Better Than Bouillon (Optional)
- Water
- Fresh Lemon, Juiced
- Pepper (Optional)
- Red Chili Flakes (Optional)
- Parsley (Optional)
See recipe card for quantities.
Instructions
- Set your instant pot to sauté mode and add in your olive oil. Once your oil is slightly heated through (about 30 seconds) add in your chopped onions and seasonings. Sauté for 2-3 minutes or until your onions become slightly translucent. Turn your instant pot off.
- Add in your red lentils, chicken bone broth (if using), water and Chicken Better than Bouillon (if using). Set your instant pot to high for 15 minutes. Once your instant pot is finished cooking, allow 10 minutes before pressing the quick release button. Add in your fresh lemon and give your soup a stir. Serve with pinch of pepper, red chili flakes and fresh parsley (optional) and some buttered toast or sour dough.
Hint: You can make this recipe on the stove top using a pot. Instead of setting the instant pot, you will make this recipe in a pot over medium high heat, once it gets to a boil, lower your heat to a low simmer and cook for about 40-45 minutes until your lentils begin to split. Stir occasionally.
Substitutions
- Vegan/ Vegetarian - use vegetable broth or water instead of chicken bone broth to make this recipe vegan and vegetarian.
This recipe is already dairy-free and gluten-free.
Variations
- Potatoes and Carrots - a lot of middle eastern people also add in potatoes and carrots to this dish as well, however, my family always kept it simple by using just onions and red lentils.
- baby led weaning friendly- skip the added salt when serving to baby.
This recipe is toddler friendly and kid-friendly!
Equipment
To make this easy instant pot lentil soup recipe, you need an instant pot, of course!
If you are in the market for an instant pot, I bought mine off amazon and I am obsessed! Here is the link. If you are serving this meal for lunch, you may want to pack it in a Bentgo Thermos to keep it warm until you are ready to enjoy it! If you are serving this to your toddler or kid for lunch, you may like this Omie Box.
Disclaimer: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which means I make a small commission if you choose to purchase through qualifying links.
Storage
You can store leftovers of this lentil soup in the fridge for up to 7 days. You can also freeze leftovers in the souper cube or an air tight container for 3 months.
Top tip
You can make this lentil soup recipe on the stove top using a pot. Instead of setting the instant pot, you will make this recipe in a pot over medium high heat, once it gets to a boil, lower your heat to a low simmer and cook for about 40-45 minutes until your lentils begin to split. Stir occasionally.
FAQ
The cumin is important for this recipe not only for taste but for digestive purposes. The cumin helps curtail gas production that lentils and other beans typically produce.
Instant Pot
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Simple Middle Eastern Lentil Soup (Instant Pot)
Equipment
- 1 Instant Pot
Ingredients
- 1 Tablespoon Olive Oil
- 1 Medium Onion Chopped
- 1 Teaspoon Cumin
- 1 Teaspoon Salt
- 2 Cups Red Lentils Rinsed and Drained
- 4 Cups Chicken Bone Broth Optional, replace with more water
- 4 Cups Water
- 1 Tablespoon Chicken Better Than Bouillon Optional
- 1 Fresh Lemon Juiced
- ⅛ Teaspoon Pepper Optional
- ⅛ Teaspoon Red Chili Flakes Optional
- 1 Tablespoon Parsley Optional
Instructions
- Set your instant pot to sauté mode and add in your olive oil. Once your oil is slightly heated through (about 30 seconds) add in your chopped onions and seasonings. Sauté for 2-3 minutes or until your onions become slightly translucent. Turn your instant pot off.
- Add in your rinsed red lentils, chicken bone broth (if using), water and chicken better than bouillon (if using). Set your instant pot to high for 15 minutes. Once your instant pot is finished cooking, allow 10 minutes before pressing the quick release button. Add in your fresh lemon and give your soup a stir. Serve with pinch of pepper, red chili flakes and fresh parsley (optional) and some buttered toast or sour dough.
- Hint: You can make this recipe on the stove top using a pot. Instead of setting the instant pot, you will make this recipe in a pot over medium high heat, once it gets to a boil, lower your heat to a low simmer and cook for about 40-45 minutes until your lentils begin to split. Stir occasionally.
Notes
Nutrition
Food safety
- Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
- Never leave cooking food unattended
Ava says
I CAN NOT believe that red lentils break apart to make a soup. It’s literally mine blowing how easy and delicious this soup recipe is! Even my toddler loved it!!!!! Will definitely be adding this to the rotation for soup season.
Christy says
Such a fantastic soup recipe!
Maggie says
Tried this tonight and my whole family (kids 5 & 10) loved it! I did end up doubling the seasonings - could be because I did not use the Better than Bullion - because we like a stronger flavor. Also served with a couple spoonfuls of coconut cream drizzled on top - so good! Will definitely be making this recipe again!
christina.klapper says
Hey Maggie!!!! I’m so glad your whole family loved it!!! Makes my day when I see reviews, so thank you so much for taking the time to write one out!!! Better than builion definitely adds a lot of the flavor so I’m glad you were able to adjust seasonings and get the flavor you like!