The best lentil soup of all time - A classic middle eastern recipe

The best lentil soup of all time - A classic middle eastern recipe
We're making a creamy and delicious vegan lentil soup using just a few ingredients, that will have a ton of flavor. This soup is a classic middle eastern dish that's served during winter and Ramadan, it may just become your new favourite soup this winter.
----
➥ Support my work on Patreon / middleeats
➥ Instagram / itsmiddleeats
➥ Facebook / middleeatsyt
Music by Epidemic Sounds - Referral link for a free trial here
www.epidemicsound.com/referra...
----
00:00 Intro
00:42 Preparing the ingredients
02:20 Assembling the stew
03:40 Seasoning and adding vermicelli
05:14 Serving and taste test
----
Ingredients:
250g (1/2 lb) Red Lentils
150g (5 1/4 oz) Carrots
1 Brown Onion
1 Tomato
4-6 Garlic Cloves
1/2 Cup Vermicelli
3 Tbsp White Vinegar
1 1/2 Tbsp Olive Oil
1 1/2 Tsp Salt
1 1/2 Tsp Cumin
1/2 Tsp Black Pepper
1/4 Tsp Chilli
----
Directions:
1. Peel and slice your carrot into large chunks
2. Slice both your onion and tomato into quarters
3. Peel your garlic cloves, mince 2 of them and set aside
4. Add your chopped vegetables, the lentils and garlic (the whole ones not minced) to a large pot
5. Add 1.25 litres (quarts) of stock or water to the pot and1 teaspoon cumin, turn the heat up to high and boil the pot
6. When it boils, pull out your tomato quarters and remove their skin, then add them back to the pot
7. Turn the heat down to low and allow the soup to simmer for 45 minutes
8. When done simmering, the carrots should be cooked through, use an immersion blender to turn the soup into a smooth mixture. Be sure to blend all the vegetable pieces and it should be uniformly smooth.
9. In a small pot add 1/2 a tbsp of olive oil on medium high heat and add the minced garlic to it
10. Fry for about 30 seconds then add the remaining cumin
11. Fry for another 10-15 seconds then add the vinegar
12. Mix and fry for 15 more seconds and add it to the lentil soup
13. Mix in well then add salt, pepper and chilli powder (optional)
14. In a pot add the remaining olive oil and the vermicelli and fry on medium high heat until it turns a golden color
15. Add the fried vermicelli to the soup as well as about 1 cup of water, bring the pot to a boil once more and allow the vermicelli to cook for 10 minutes
16. When the time is up, your soup is ready, add more water if necessary to thin it out until it's a smooth liquid
17. Garnish with coriander, chilli and nigella seeds

[@DooDahDonkey]

Made this earlier, what an absolute belter and very easy to throw together, will become a staple for sure

[@MiddleEats]

Thanks for trying it out, I'm really happy you liked it! It really is so simple to make and it has such an insanely deep amount of flavor for the few ingredients in it. Glad you enjoyed it!

[@RobertaAdesignbyhumans]

@@MiddleEats And it's healthy, I can not wait to try! Thank you for your time, I really enjoyed watching.

[@alittlegreenjean]

@@MiddleEats and it is so good for us.

[@soniaallam4522]

My Egyptian Aunt's legendary lentil soup vegetables include - one onion, one tomato, one carrot, one potato and one celery stick. Cumin and garlic. Never been beaten 😋

[@grosebud4554]

Any salt? I wanna try this recipe out!

[@soniaallam4522]

@@grosebud4554 Usually add 1 litre of water with 2 vegetable stock cubes, or you could use chicken stock cubes 🙏 So extra salt only if needed to taste

[@anahidkassabian4471]

I made this for dinner a couple of nights ago, and it disappeared. I have one small portion left in the freeaer for me some night when I'm on my own. This was a massive hit in my family... and no one but me likes lentils. Thanks for this recipe!

[@tumadre50]

I can't wait to try this. The last time I had my Palestinian friends Lentil Soup he topped the soup in my bowl with some fresh lemon juice. I was amazed what a difference it made.

[@alittlegreenjean]

i am now addicted the the red lentil soup i have eaten at a local restaurant, so i looked on google for a recipe. so many! i came here first because of your name. so clever! after just this one recipe, i know i am going to enjoy middle eats.

[@johncrwarner]

I have found with red lentil soup that adding just one floury potato enhances the creaminess.

[@IAmRandomlyInOrder]

There is this place by me that makes the most AMAZING lentil soup...I waited until I made this...it's better! Thank you! I miss this food SO much!!!

[@DontTellWendy]

My partner wanted a lentil dish, so I looked up recipes online and couldn't find anything that appealed to me. Then I remembered your channel and found this recipe. Thank you so much!! We absolutely love it 😍 From one Middle Eastern to another, bravo!!

[@earthworm7894]

i think this might be the best cooking channel on youtube. u guys should open a restaurant (or a chain of them if u can figure out how a chain does not become too corporatized).

[@dc33333]

all these years...this is the best series of lentil soups I have ever had. Finally better than the restaurant. The 2 secrets make a big difference on how to layer textures and flavors

[@k9koulla415]

I'll try this recipe tomorrow without the spice. After simming the soup, I'll cool down the soup and use the blender. This week I am on strict liquid diet. Thank you buddy.

[@kmartin73]

i have been looking for a pukka Turkish lentil chorba for twenty years finally found it and it's great and so simple compared to what i have seen before thenks

[@justynakavi407]

Red lentil soup is our stable in winter I make it on many ways depending what I have on hand but I always finish it with freshly squizzed lemon juice like my Kurdi friend taught me 20 years ago. It's a chef's kiss, cutting through the sweetness of carrots and lentils.

[@jayj4705]

A drizzle of extra virgin olive oil goes a long way too!

[@LocalManMakesMusic]

Made this along with your Fattoush recipe for dinner tonight. It was amazing! My entire family loved it. I’ve never had so much success following someone else’s recipes before. Thanks for the great food.

[@jamming8519]

I have GOT to try this recipe. Thank you very much!

[@pinkmonkeybird2644]

Oh my goodness Obi, I’m so impressed with how much your channel has evolved and grown over time. I’ve been a long time subscriber and have made many of your recipes. Your chicken shawarma is the go-to meal in this house when nobody can decide what to make for dinner. I accidentally deleted this recipe and came back here to redownload it into my recipe app - and I was really struck how much you’ve grown as a chef and KZbinr. Great job! And great soup as well.

[@Sunnydayz2046]

This was my lunch for today ...absolutely delish..

[@travisabrahamson5092]

This soup is delicious. I have tried many different vegetables in it . I've put an entire head of cabbage in it , bell peppers and squash. Literally any vegetables that are in my house that I'm not needing at the time. It's always extremely good 👍

[@caileymckenna65]

I always add a generous helping of parsley, lime juice and olive oil to the top. Will definitely be trying out some of your additions!!

[@MiddleEats]

The coriander will go great with those! Hope you like it

[@SC-de5to]

Oh love it. Also love your pots, dishes and utensils. Everything is perfection

[@MiddleEats]

Thank you! It's all my wife's great taste.

[@TunaStrata]

You really killed it on reddit men. And im impressed you have charisma to bring it on youtube. I love this channel and i hope it grow.

[@MiddleEats]

Thank you, I really appreciate it. Hope you try some of the recipes.

[@wezzuh2482]

My Turkish gf showed me how they do lentil soup in her household and it's very similar to this but with a few diffrences: 1) The vegetables are diced and sauted first, sort of like a sofritto. 2) instead of fresh tomatoes, use a teaspoon or so of tomato paste. 3) the aromatic oil poured over uses spices that a more traditoinally turkish, dried mint and pul biber (aleppo pepper)

[@yuniemalnegro734]

I also put mint it's awesome!

[@alanross1106]

I use 500g red lentils, onion, carrot, leek, and 2 chicken knorr stock cubes. Salt and black pepper . I do not blend the vegetables. I’m Scottish and like it that way. Can be nicer too, the next day. I soak the lentils in water overnight and strain it with tap water running til the water runs clear .

[@amaliazaharia5820]

One of the easiest & best I tried! Thank you so much!!

[@markrichardson3822]

You had me at wall paint. Jokes aside, thanks for the video and new cuisine. Subbed

[@MiddleEats]

Paint always looks like forbidden soup anyway :D. Thanks for watching and subscribing! Hope you try some of the dishes.

[@meriamalojipan6932]

i like all your videos coz i worked in Egyptian family

[@hasa___]

Great content. Cant wait to try this recipe.

[@RobertaAdesignbyhumans]

The best recipe. I cooked it twice and my family loved it every time. High praising all around, all soup gone. :))

[@yuniemalnegro734]

Thanks bro. I'm here in Abu Dhabi and this is one of the soup of middle east I taste! Now I cook it my own 🍃🌿 - 🇵🇭❤️🇦🇪

[@FloydGoldkatz]

So good while easy to make, thanks!

[@arawii1498]

im making this RIGHT NOW!!!! so exciteddd. Best middleeastern food channel ever, thank you!!

[@ngunbileg]

Just made the lentil soup for dinner and it was absolutely delicious. Super easy to put together and I would like to say thanks a lot for your time teaching 😜

[@MouseAngelo]

made this today and it was fantastic. i know it's simple but you inspired me! loved the garlic cumin infused oil broken up with vinegar, never would have thought to do anything like that on my own. big subscribe.

[@MiddleEats]

Thank you for trying it, the recipe really is so much more than it would seem. I'm so glad you liked it!

[@Nousaster]

I'll definitely try this recipe!

[@lenaamin8017]

Carrot adds an amazing flavor to the lentils. I thinly slice garlic and fry it and pour it on top of the soup when ready to serve. Yum!

[@MiddleEats]

The garlic like that is a great idea, I'll have to try it.

[@Grottsa]

This looks soo good!

[@plantbasedmasterpiece3332]

Amazing recipe! Looks good and comforting recipe. Glad I encounter this video.

[@sarahussein5608]

Just made the soup for dinner woooooowwwwwwww

[@MiddleEats]

Yayyy! Glad you liked it!

[@dannytetreault]

I love the end of each video where you taste test each meal! Best part!

[@MiddleEats]

Thanks

[@jobdebolle1683]

Made your soup yesterday, it was amazing! Thanks a lot!

[@MiddleEats]

No problem at all, so glad you liked it!

[@tammytillman3172]

Thank you for sharing, it’s delicious 😋

[@SarahSudais]

Made this today and it was a hit with the family, tasted so good! I’m not really a soup person but i’ll definitely be making this a lot more often

[@mmps18]

Mmm looks so tasty and nourishing 😍thanks Obie!

[@renatevanstraaten5871]

I absolutely love soups because they’re easy and fast to make, taste delicious and are very healthy, so I’m definitely gonna try this one out!

[@MiddleEats]

Then you'll absolutely love this one, it's so simple and delicious. It's also really light because there's no dairy! Let me know how it turns out and if you take any photos, then tag me on Instagram!

[@digita11y]

Bro, just came across your channel and have to say your recipes, and the way you deliver the instructions is spot on. Keep up the good work!!

[@MiddleEats]

Thank you, I'm happy to hear that. Hope you try some of them out and you thoroughly enjoy them!

[@ssliger11]

The soup was amazingly easy to make. It was tasty and hearty. Thank you.

[@moriarty7589]

Did this soup many times. It’s so easy and yummy. Thanks for the recipe

[@meldahspeight8525]

Looks lovely.

[@MariamMariam-ue7vz]

Fabulous recipe- easy and super tasty!!

[@Versace71]

That looks yummy need to try this

[@munisamade]

I am going to try this one!

[@faizanouri9981]

Maa Shaa Allah Your channel is amazing! The soup looks so delicious. I can’t wait to try your recipe especially with the addition of the vermicelli. I prepare mine a bit different and usually top it off with thick yogurt and pomegranate seeds.

[@owenac1]

Made this with Advieh (ash) instead of straight cumin, and sauteed the veggies first in a little olive oil. Such a great recipe! Thanks for making this video!

[@jonathantice9387]

Thanks I love your channel.

[@cindychesny2011]

Delicious soup. So glad I found your site. Keep up your great videos!

[@MiddleEats]

Yay, I'm happy you liked it. Hope you try some more recipes!

[@TheNostalgicKitchen]

Your recipes are amazing!!

[@MiddleEats]

Thank you!

[@szvetlana1000]

Just made this and it was a success! Even my picky 5 year old liked it. I made it without the chilli.

[@Restecpa]

I absolutely love this soup. So good on a low carb diet. Hearty, delicious, and super nutritious. Some Indian lentil recipes also mix spinach in there.

[@hanna0465]

I was searching for a lentil soup recipe and I am so glad that I came across your recipe. Your steps are so easy to follow which really helps, people like me. The soup tastes amazing.

[@MiddleEats]

Hi Hanna, thank you for trying and I'm happy you liked it. I always try to make my recipes easy to follow with lots of detailed steps. That way you can feel confident in knowing the details of the recipe. Hope you try some more of the dishes. Thanks!

[@arthas640]

2 other good lentil soups are scottish lentil soup (the channel "what's for tea" has a good version) since its really simple, and another is Indian Dal Tadka. I prefer the taste of Middle Eastern (like this) or Indian lentil soups since they're more flavorful but the Scottish one is pretty good too since its super simple, especially if you already have a good broth or stock handy.

[@kevini5043]

found your page via reddit, great write up and video production! I cant wait to try this. Just a small production tip, for the shots where you are rotating around the dish, its easier to put the camera on a tripod and rotate the dish instead of the camera (thats how many macro product shots are done). A lazy susan works well for this! You can get curved sliders or little dollies that will do curves as well but lazy susan is the cheapest option. keep up the great work!

[@MiddleEats]

Thank you! I'm still learning a lot but it's good fun to see how each video advances from the rest, I just got a new mic and so can't wait to see how the audio sounds next time around. I've got a lazy Susan and a cake stand so will see which one gives me smoother motion, just need to figure out how I can make them look nicer as they both are a bit ugly. Thanks for the tip!

[@kevini5043]

@@MiddleEats great! id suggest getting a circular white board or something so you dont notice the edges spinning in the background of the shot :)

[@suyashmallik118]

This is the best of both worlds of Indian and Western food!! Kinda makes sense ig considering its MIDDLE eastern..

[@dustinmiddleton2336]

yummm. thanks for the video!

[@MiddleEats]

No problem!

[@SK3564]

I just realized I wasn't subscribed to your channel. I don't know how that's possible. I love your videos!

[@mihaelazlate4729]

This, i make this in a soup maker thing....very similar, i will try this variation too, thx.

[@sifu2u_now]

Love it

[@karanrajpoot7753]

Very good

[@mm3213]

Thank you

[@befroggled]

Yum, one of my favourite soups - I have to try your twist on it. I usually thicken it with potato and miss out vermicelli but will try this version too!

[@MiddleEats]

You could still make the potatoes with the soup and remove then before blending, then add back in when you have a smooth texture. The lentils will naturally emulsify without anything else added. Let me know how it turns out.

[@sharonrussell8905]

I lightly fried my veg including zucchini in ghee first, sweet potato not pasta, lime, chilli, mint. WOW thank you I’ll be making this again 🙏🏽❤️

[@YanniBG]

Oh man, such a great recipe - easy and yummy! I went for a little twist though: I added some roasted peppers as well and it was fantastic!

[@patbnj]

An excellent recipe. I had to convert all the ingredients to cups, because I don’t have a kitchen scale. The effort was worthwhile

[@jahnets11]

Yumm

[@ciganyweaverandherperiwink6293]

What an excellent channel.

[@karypoot2349]

Thank you! Mexican here 🇲🇽

[@Jeed92]

You can add cooked potatoes to this, its great.

[@cozzrock9231]

Really nice man keep it up!! I am hungry for more. I saw you on Reddit!

[@MiddleEats]

Thanks, I really appreciate the support, hope you give it a try.

[@sahira2525]

Sooo yummy 😋

[@easycooking4346]

Very delicious well done 👍👏👏

[@MiddleEats]

Thank you!

[@leal5049]

This is the best soup!

[@MiddleEats]

Really is and it's perfect for cold winter days. In Egypt some of the shawarma places serve the soup as an appetizer when you take out shawarma!

[@cor9344]

I am sure this is delicious, thank you. Suggestion: add broccoli at the beginning. It combines very well with lentils and adds another layer to the taste, but not that of broccoli.

[@micah1754]

I put a tin of coconut cream in mine too - makes a really nice flavour and creaminess

[@SantaRozeDelvadoress]

making ti now, hopefully it turns out good x

[@learningstudioonline]

I've been wanting an immersion blender for a long time and THIS is the soup that finally got me to order it. Can't wait to try this!

[@MiddleEats]

Haha well I'm happy to be a bad influence! Hope it's worth it!

[@tabiripetrovich517]

I made it today without the carrot because i didnt have any carrot at home. But - it still was very good. :) Thank you gor the recipe :)

[@mesovogue]

Looks delicious. Good video too!

[@MiddleEats]

Thank you, hope you give it a try

[@mesovogue]

@@MiddleEats I will :D

[@theahmedation]

It’s one of my favorite soups! I usually only do onions and lentils because I like the pure lentil flavor, I’ll have try your version at some point. Ps: add the fried pita bread or if you’re lazy, get some croutons from the store. The added crunch takes it to the next level

[@MiddleEats]

Yeah the fried pitta is amazing, you could also bake it so you don't have to fry

[@audiohobo]

1k subs and now at 200k?? Congrats!!

[@anhima2003]

Made this last night, so good! Red lentils usually = dahl for me, but this is a fantastic alternative that adds a few veggies too. I'm already excited to make it again. If any Australians are wondering where to get broken vermicelli, look for San Remo Short cut Angel Hair pasta. I found some at Coles.

[@RudraDirtTrails]

I was just thinking it's so similar to the Indian dal. It even has the 'tadka' of spices in it

[@MiddleEats]

Yeah each country in the middle East has distinct flavor palettes and it's easy to use 7+ spices in one dish.

[@Bushcraft242]

Yummy healthy

[@zachsmart925]

watching this a year later, you have 127k now, nice glow up. #goodsoup

[@VadAndensong]

Great soup! Though my local grocery stores here in Sweden didn't have any vermicelli, so I improvised with some risoni instead.

[@MiddleEats]

Yeah orzo is a great idea, it might need to cook a while longer or be pre cooked but it will give the right texture. So glad you enjoyed it!

[@AbuMedinah]

I love your channel's name💯

[@MiddleEats]

Thank you!

[@tahnguyen6271]

It is good and healthy soup , i cooked

[@MiddleEats]

Glad you liked it!

[@whitesonar]

259K subscribers later..... good for you man

[@a.d.c.2276]

Just wanted to comment to voice my gratitude for this amazing recipe. I never thought something so simple and basic could be packing so much flavour. I used croutons for mine, and topped with roasted sweet peppers and and a dash of lemon juice. I also added a healthy dose of turmeric to mine. Not sure if it's traditional, but mine was dull colored, and I wanted it to have the same vibrant yellow as the one in the video! Anyways, this is an amazing recipe, one of the best soups I've ever had, and I mean that with complete sincerity! Thanks again!

[@aaliya891]

Can't wait to try! Can I ask how many servings this would make?

[@drewmatik8210]

binge watching!!!!1

[@MiddleEats]

Thanks, I appreciate it!

[@ducksandcats]

adding sweet potatoes! 👌

[@davidkendall589]

The whole family approves! We skipped the vermicelli and ate the soup with flat bread. But did you mean coriander or cumin with the sauteed garlic? I went with coriander since you garnished the soup with cilantro. It would probably be good with either. Oh yeah, and I used a red bell pepper instead of a roma tomato. (actually some red pepper sauce I got from an italian guy's channel) Well, I'm not good at following recipes sometimes. I did use beef bone broth instead of vegetable stock too. And shallot instead of yellow onion.

[@anti-ethniccleansing465]

He says cumin in the video while cooking, _AND_ he wrote cumin in the video’s description for the recipe’s ingredients (as well as in point 10 in the written recipe right below the ingredient list)... that’s 3/3 times he refers to cumin - not coriander. Sooo, why would you think he meant to use coriander and not cumin? Lol. 🌚 There’s no mention of coriander at any point in the video up until the _very end_ only, where he says to only uses it as garnish - and there’s no mention of coriander up until the very last point in the written directions. He doesn’t even list coriander in the ingredients list because garnishes aren’t crucial to a recipe. I can see why you aren’t very good at following recipes haha. The use of bell pepper instead of tomatoes is crazy. 🤯

[@davidkendall589]

@@anti-ethniccleansing465 because at 3:42 he says "garlic and coriander concoction". You are an absolute fool. Recipes aren't a religion and he even encourages viewers to try other combinations of vegetables. I'm sure your soup would take like feces and you wouldn't know the difference.

[@richardwallace6313]

sambar is the best lentil soup ever, by leaps and bounds, but this looks good.