Turmeric Red Lentil Soup

By Alexandra Caspero on November 4, 2016
Turmeric Red Lentil Soup! Creamy, thick lentil stew with turmeric, vegetables and kale. Vegan and Gluten-Free. 

Can we celebrate for a moment that it’s finally soup season? I mean, if we have to leave the land of heirloom tomatoes, juicy peaches and bright, beautiful berries, then it better be for soup. I’m such a soup person, the perfect way for me to get in all of the nourishing necessities I crave: pulses, vegetables, spice. Slather some butter on toasted bread and you’ve got the meal that I dream of the moment the leaves change color.

Soup season, we welcome you with open, sweater-covered arms.

 

Turmeric Red Lentil Soup! Creamy, Thick Lentil Stew With Turmeric, Vegetables And Kale. Vegan And Gluten-Free. | Www.delishknowledge.com

If you’re looking for healthy, nutrient-dense comfort food, this.is.it. Simmered red lentils, kale, and a healthy dose of turmeric for gorgeous color, warming spice, and extra antioxidants. Um, this may also be the perfect meal if you’ve just spent two weeks of your life galavanting around Italy eating nothing but gelato, pizza, and pasta- in that order.

And while that was really fun while it lasted, you are now in full vegetable-crave mode, begging for overflowing salads, garlicky sautéed greens, and this wondrous soup. Or, maybe you’re just looking for a yummy break from the inevitable richness that comes with this time of year. Either way, this Turmeric Red Lentil Soup is for you.

If you haven’t cooked with red lentils before, prepare to be wowed. They almost melt into the broth, creating a thick, stew-like texture- perfect for catching chunks of vegetables in every bite. They go in red, they come out yellow; a beautiful transition in creating this golden soup.

The magic of turmeric

Lastly, the turmeric. For starters, turmeric is magical and I recommend adding it (and other spices) to food for an easy way to pack in the antioxidants. Turmeric’s active ingredient, curcumin, is better absorbed when paired with black pepper, which I’ve included in this recipe and recommend an extra sprinkling on top of the finished soup.

In fact, I’m seeing more and more curcumin supplements that are adding black pepper to their formulas, which is great. That being said, I’ve seen some really crazy claims on other health blogs about what turmeric can and can’t do. Look, I’m all for food as medicine- there usually isn’t any downside, but I think it’s important to really understand the research before making health claims. That’s how nutrition misinformation continues to spread.

Either way, even with the most conservative research, turmeric is fairly potent as an anti-inflammatory substance. Several studies suggest that it might ease symptoms of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. While the conclusive jury is still out on it’s role in blocking cancer growth, I think it’s safe to say that this is one superfood most of us could benefit in eating more of.

Turmeric Red Lentil Soup! Creamy, Thick Lentil Stew With Turmeric, Vegetables And Kale. Vegan And Gluten-Free. | Www.delishknowledge.com

If you try this recipe, let me know! Leave a comment, rate it, and tag your Instagram photos with #delishknowledge . I absolutely love seeing your creations. Happy cooking! 

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Turmeric Red Lentil Soup! Creamy, Thick Lentil Stew With Turmeric, Vegetables And Kale. Vegan And Gluten-Free. | Www.delishknowledge.com

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Turmeric Red Lentil Soup! Creamy, Thick Lentil Stew With Turmeric, Vegetables And Kale. Vegan And Gluten-Free. | Www.delishknowledge.com

Turmeric Red Lentil Soup

Description

Turmeric Red Lentil Soup Author: Alex Caspero Prep time: 15 mins Cook time: 50 mins Total time: 1 hour 5 mins Serves: 4-6 servings Turmeric Red Lentil Soup! Creamy, thick lentil stew with turmeric, vegetables and kale. Vegan and Gluten-Free.


Scale

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 2 celery stalks, chopped
  • 2 carrots, chopped
  • 2 garlic cloves, chopped
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1 1/4 teaspoons turmeric
  • 1 15 ounce can diced tomatoes, in juice
  • 1 cup red lentils
  • 34 cups vegetable broth
  • 3 cups torn kale leaves
  • 1/2 cup cashew cream (1/2 cup raw cashews pureed with 1/2 cup water)

Instructions

  1. Heat olive oil in a soup pot over medium heat. Add the onion, celery and carrots and cook until very soft and reduced, about 10 minutes.
  2. Add in the garlic, cumin, cinnamon, nutmeg and turmeric. Stir to combine and cook until spices are fragrant. Add in the tomatoes, with juice, lentils and vegetable broth. Cook, stirring often, until lentils are cooked through, about 25-30 minutes.
  3. Stir in the kale and cook until wilted, an additional 5-10 minutes. Season to taste with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
  4. Stir in the cashew cream and more vegetable broth, if needed, to thin.

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Meet Alex Caspero

Alex Caspero is a Registered Dietitian, New York Times Bestselling Chef, and mom of two. She aims to cut through the nutrition noise by providing real-life, nourishing tips for body and mind. Learn more about Alex.

(14 comments) leave a comment

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    1. Anastasia
      January 2, 2024 AT 11:52 am

      I think it’s about time I comment on this recipe. After all, I’ve made it about 11 times now. When I start feeling like I’m coming down with a cold, or it’s just a rainy day, or I want a healthy boost- this is my go to food. It makes me feel so much better and it tastes ✨ amazinggg ✨ I add a little extra tumeric and black pepper if I’m feeling sick and I ALWAYS pile on the kale. I can’t recommend this soup enough (and that’s a good thing coming from a super picky vegan).

    2. Sharon
      October 13, 2021 AT 10:51 am

      Hi, can I make this in a slow cooker and what modifications would be needed? In particular, at what point should I add the kale? Thank you!






    3. Elaine Norton
      March 15, 2017 AT 2:28 pm

      This looks amazing and so happy I found your website! Would you need to do much modification if you wanted to use fresh tomatoes instead of canned?

      1. Alex
        March 16, 2017 AT 7:08 am

        Hi Elaine, yes- I don’t see why not. The conversion to a 15 ounce can is usually 5 to 6 whole tomatoes (or about 1 pound). If you try it this way, report back and let us know how it works 🙂

    4. Rachel
      February 16, 2017 AT 10:29 am

      Hi, looks amazing! But if we can’t eat cashews, what could we sub for the cashew cream?

      1. Alex
        February 17, 2017 AT 8:49 am

        You could omit it as well. It won’t be as creamy, but it will still have great flavor!

      2. Alex
        February 17, 2017 AT 8:49 am

        Hi Rachel, if you eat dairy, then you can sub in heavy cream or whole milk. Thanks, Alex

    5. julie @ RDelicious Kitchen
      November 5, 2016 AT 7:28 am

      YUM! This looks so hearty and delicious!

      1. Michael Goodman
        December 26, 2017 AT 12:14 pm

        Maybe this is a vegetarian dish … but has anyone ever added canned beef? Beef stock? Would it ruin the “desert” flavorings?

        1. Julie
          February 29, 2020 AT 2:05 pm

          This is my new favorite soup! I thoughr the amount if tumeric woukd be overpowering but I think the cashew cream tempers it. I add lots of fresh ground black pepper and pair mini Naan bread! Delicious!






        2. Alex
          December 27, 2017 AT 6:58 pm

          Hi Michael, I haven’t tried adding beef but it’s delicious with the vegetarian versions!

    6. Sara Haas RDN, LDN
      November 4, 2016 AT 11:23 am

      I love soup season and I love turmeric! Yummy Alex!

    7. Tara | Treble in the Kitchen
      November 4, 2016 AT 6:53 am

      Yum!! I think you are way more of a soup lover than me, but there is something about cool weather that totally welcomes warm and comforting soup. Yum!

      1. Michael Goodman
        December 26, 2017 AT 12:14 pm

        Maybe this is a vegetarian dish … but has anyone ever added canned beef? Beef stock? Would it ruin the “desert” flavorings?






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