Lebanese Lentil Soup is warm, hearty, and bursting with middle eastern flavors!
It’s more than just a bowl of soup; it’s a journey through the rich tapestry of Lebanese culinary traditions, in every spoonful.
Lentil noodle soup is simple! A handful of ingredients bring forth a burst of flavors.
It’s hearty, making it a perfect soup for those chilly evenings.
And is it a great source of plant-based protein? Absolutely!
Plus lentil soup with noodles can be eaten thick and creamy or slightly brothy! You choose!
The delicious lemon juice and cilantro will leave you wanting more!
What Ingredients are in Lebanese Lentil Soup?
Few pantry staples, a big pot, and you’ll have a warm, comforting soup.
It’ll fill your stomach and warm your soul at the same time!
- Lentils: The star of the dish providing that creamy soup consistency.
- Vegetable Broth: The base that gives the soup its depth and body.
- Vegetable Oil: For sautéing and bringing out the aroma of the veggies.
- Onion & Garlic: The aromatic duo that can transform any dish.
- Cilantro: Adds freshness and a punch of green to the soup.
- Broken Spaghetti: A quirky addition for texture.
- Lemon: Gives the soup its signature tang.
- Salt and Pepper: Where would we be without the flavorings?
Pro tips:
- For a deeper flavor, you can toast the lentils for a couple of minutes before boiling.
- You only actually need a little bit of spaghetti noodles so don’t go crazy.
- Use fresh lemon wedges if possible. Bottled never tastes quite as good.
- Brown lentils and green lentils will hold their shape better than other types of lentils.
How to Make Lebanese Lentil Soup
This vegan lentil soup is super easy to make!
And I should also tell you, it’s super cheap to make too! I can feed my whole family pretty easily with this!
The full recipe card is below, but here’s what you need to know:
- Start by boiling the lentils.
- In a separate pan, sauté the onions and garlic till golden.
- Merge the sautéed veggies into the boiling lentils.
- Throw in the broken spaghetti pieces.
- Finish off with a splash of lemon juice and a sprinkle of fresh cilantro.
Can You Freeze Lebanese Lentil Soup?
You can definitely freeze this simple soup!
First, let it cool completely. That’ll keep it from sweating in the container.
Then store it in a freezer-safe container.
This is perfect for prepping ahead of time! If you need a quick meal or gotta run something to a friend? This is it!
How to Store Lebanese Lentil Soup
After cooling the hot soup down to room temperature, pour into an airtight container.
The creamy lentil soup will keep well in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
It’s really great for quick lunches and meal prep.
We really like doubling the recipe just so we can have extra. It’s that good!
Is Lebanese Lentil Soup Healthy?
This middle eastern lentil soup is definitely healthy! Eat this? Yeah. You can feel good about that!
Lentils are seriously a powerhouse of nutrients. Plus they’re packed with plant-based protein.
That means this is a very healthy soup option any time you’ve got a soup craving!
Really, make a bunch. Freeze some for later. Then late night cravings meet delicious and good for you soup!
Is Lebanese Lentil Soup Vegan?
This version of Lebanese lemon lentil soup is!
Not all versions are, so check the ingredients if you’re using a different recipe.
But this one uses vegetable stock and other all vegetarian options.
And actually isn’t just vegetarian but a vegan soup to boot!
There’s no animal anything in this soup. So, invite all the friends over! They’re all going to love it!
Can Dogs Eat Lebanese Lentil Soup?
It’s really better for dogs to avoid this tasty soup (tasty for humans! Not for dogs!)
Some ingredients might be hard for them to digest.
And actually some ingredients can even be toxic! Like garlic and onion.
So keep them away and talk to your vet if you have any issues.
Is Lebanese Lentil Soup Gluten Free?
Lentil soup can be gluten free really easily!
Just swap out the spaghetti for a gluten-free alternative or skip it altogether.
There are actually a lot of gluten free spaghetti noodles at the store or similar types of noodles.
Swap for one of them and you’ve got a very allergy friendly soup!
What to Serve with Lebanese Lentil Soup?
This staple soup is traditionally served with a side of crusty bread or pita bread.
You could also try a fresh side salad sprinkled with feta cheese, or some pita chips for added crunch!
Here are some recipes I think you would love:
- Brussels Sprout Gratin
- Fennel Focaccia
- Farro Salad
- Romano Beans Recipe
- Four Cheese Garlic Bread
- Kibbeh Recipe
- Mediterranean Quesadilla
- Sour Cream Chicken Marinade
- Swiss Chard and Leek Recipes
- Sweet and Spicy Edamame
- Stuffed Yellow Squash Recipes
- Mexican Roasted Tomatoes
Additional Lentil Recipes You’ll Love…
This Lebanese Lentil Soup recipe is simple, delicious, filling, and packed with nutrition. It’s a traditional Lebanese soup worthy of any Lebanese restaurants! Enjoy!
Lebanese Lentil Soup
Dive into the delicious world of Middle Eastern flavors with this simple yet hearty Lebanese Lentil Soup. Packed with protein & love!
Ingredients
- 1 cup lentils, rinsed and picked over
- 6 cups vegetable broth (can also use water, or a mixture of both)
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 large white onion, diced
- 2 cloves of garlic, crushed
- 1 bunch of cilantro, leaves chopped
- 3 ounces broken spaghetti (I only use a little, maybe 1/5 of the box, quite possibly less)
- Juice from 1/2 of a lemon
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Place rinsed and sorted lentils in pot. Add liquid, bring to a boil, then lower heat and cook until tender, about 25 minutes.
- Sauté onions in oil under golden brown. Towards the end, add garlic. Make sure garlic does not burn!
- Add onions and garlic to lentils.
- Add broken spaghetti and continue to cook until noodles are ready.
- Remove from heat. Add chopped cilantro leaves, lemon, and salt and pepper to taste.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 4 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 224Total Fat: 8gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 1120mgCarbohydrates: 33gFiber: 6gSugar: 12gProtein: 7g
Photos & Text Updated: May 7, 2024
Larry Michael
Wednesday 29th of November 2023
The DISH IS CALLED “RISHTA” Using cilantro must be your innovation. The Classic Traditional recipe calls for SPINACH (not cilantro). Traditionally, you'd make your own dough and it's cook it in the recipe. The more lemon juice the better. Spices salt, pepper and (Our family recipe calls for a small amount of cumin.
Janelle
Tuesday 26th of December 2023
Thank you Larry! The original creator of this recipe, Michelle, is married to a Lebanese man and this is his family recipe. There may be some changes from your family, but this is the one he grew up with. Thank you for your tips!
Stephanie
Monday 3rd of April 2017
Looking on Pinterest for a new way to make lentils and found your recipe. I absolutely will make this again. The freshness of the cilantro gives this such a great depth of flavor. I couldn't get into my belly quick enough.
Michelle Nahom
Monday 3rd of April 2017
I'm so glad you enjoyed it! This is one of those recipes my family asks for over and over again. I make it several times a month...even the kids love it!
Linda
Thursday 2nd of March 2017
Nice combination of flavors. i bet the lemon adds a bit of interest and citrus. Thanks for sharing at DI&DI.
Alison's Allspice
Wednesday 1st of March 2017
That's so awesome that your kids love lentils! I'm digging anything with lemons right now, pinned for later! I found you at the What's Cookin Wednesday link up.
Beverly
Wednesday 1st of March 2017
This soup looks amazing. I love lentils. My husband is Lebanese but he has never spoken of this soup. Need to ask him about it. Thanks for sharing at Over The Moon Party, Bev