Lentil soup
A hearty soup made from lentils, often with vegetables and spices
Lentil soup is a thick, nourishing dish made with lentils—brown, red, yellow, green or black—sometimes with their husks, sometimes without. It is enjoyed across Europe, Latin America, and the Middle East, and often includes vegetables and spices. Lentil soup is eaten as a staple, especially in colder months.
- Lentil soup is a staple in Europe, Latin America, and the Middle East
- Dehulled red and yellow lentils make the soup thick and smooth
- Lentil soup is mentioned in the Bible and ancient Greek literature
- Commonly includes vegetables and spices like cumin and turmeric
- In Jewish tradition, served at times of mourning
What is Lentil soup?
Lentil soup is a filling dish made by simmering lentils in water or stock, often with vegetables like carrots, potatoes, celery, onions, or tomatoes. It can be made with any color of lentil, including brown, red, yellow, green, or black. Dehulled red and yellow lentils break down as they cook, giving the soup a thick, smooth texture. The flavor is earthy and can be brightened with lemon juice or vinegar. Herbs, spices, and garnishes such as parsley, cumin, garlic, or olive oil are common.
Where does Lentil soup come from?
Lentils have been eaten since prehistoric times, with remains found in ancient sites in Greece, Syria, and Jericho. The soup appears in early literature and history, including a mention by Aristophanes in ancient Greece and a recipe in the Roman cookbook Apicius. In the Bible, lentil soup is part of the story of Esau and Jacob, showing its presence in ancient Israel. It was also found in Egyptian tombs from 2400 BC. The dish has long been a staple in many cultures.
How is Lentil soup made?
To make lentil soup, lentils are simmered in water or broth until tender. Vegetables such as carrots, potatoes, celery, onions, or tomatoes may be added. The soup is often seasoned with spices like cumin, turmeric, bay leaf, or cardamom, and sometimes finished with a splash of lemon juice or vinegar. In some regions, it is puréed for a smooth texture, or topped with toasted vermicelli noodles. Garnishes can include chopped herbs, olive oil, butter, cream, or yogurt.
How and when is Lentil soup eaten?
Lentil soup is eaten as a main meal or starter, especially at lunch or dinner. In the Middle East and Egypt, it is often enjoyed in winter and may be served puréed. Some versions come with lemon wedges for squeezing at the table. In Jewish tradition, it is sometimes served during mourning, as the round lentils symbolize the cycle of life. The soup is valued for being filling and nutritious, and is a regular part of everyday meals in many regions.
Kinds of Lentil soup
There are many regional versions of lentil soup. Indian varieties use a range of aromatic spices. In Iraq and the Levant, turmeric and cumin are common, and the soup may be topped with toasted vermicelli noodles. Lebanese rishta combines lentils and pasta. Some recipes include pumpkin or ripe plantain. Garnishes and the choice of vegetables or spices vary widely by country and family tradition.
What Lentil soup means
Lentil soup is deeply rooted in the food traditions of the Middle East, Europe, and beyond. In Jewish custom, it is linked to mourning rituals. The dish's long history is reflected in ancient texts and archaeological finds. Its reputation as a nutritious, affordable staple has kept it popular across cultures and centuries.
Questions people ask about Lentil soup
What is lentil soup made of?
Lentil soup is made mainly from lentils, which can be brown, red, yellow, green, or black. It often includes vegetables such as carrots, potatoes, celery, onions, and tomatoes, and is flavored with spices like cumin, turmeric, and sometimes finished with lemon juice or vinegar.
Where does lentil soup come from?
Lentil soup has ancient roots, with evidence of lentils being eaten in Greece, Syria, Jericho, and Egypt thousands of years ago. It is a traditional food in the Middle East, Europe, and Latin America.
Is lentil soup vegetarian or vegan?
Lentil soup is naturally vegan, as it is made from lentils, vegetables, water or broth, and spices. Some versions may include butter, cream, or yogurt as a garnish, but the basic soup contains no animal products.
How is lentil soup usually served?
Lentil soup is served as a main dish or starter, often at lunch or dinner. In some places, it is puréed for a smooth texture, and may be garnished with olive oil, herbs, or lemon wedges. It is especially popular in winter.
Are there different types of lentil soup?
Yes, there are many regional varieties. Indian versions use aromatic spices, while in the Middle East, turmeric, cumin, and toasted vermicelli noodles are common. Lebanese rishta combines lentils and pasta, and other versions may include different vegetables or garnishes.
Good reading and sources
The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Lentil soup", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). Thali rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.
It may contain mistakes, and it is not dietary or allergy advice: recipes differ from cook to cook. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-03.
More from Egypt
All the food of Egypt
ShawarmaMeatشاورما
🇸🇾 Syria and 5 moreMeat roasted on a vertical spit and sliced into flatbread with sauces and vegetables
Street food, Lunch, Dinner
Moussakaμουσακάς
🇬🇷 Greece and 5 moreBaked casserole of eggplant or potato, often layered with meat and sauce
Main dish, Lunch, Dinner
Freekehفريكة
🇵🇸 Palestine and 5 moreRoasted green durum wheat grains, a staple across the eastern Mediterranean
Main dish, Lunch, Dinner
Ta'ameyaVeganطعمية
🇪🇬 EgyptEgyptian fritters of fava beans and herbs, deep-fried and eaten in pita sandwiches
Street food, Breakfast, Lunch
Its cousins elsewhere
All soups
MinestroneVegetarian
🇮🇹 ItalyHearty Italian vegetable soup with beans, pasta or rice
Soup, Lunch, Dinner
Fasoladaφασολάδα
🇬🇷 Greece and 1 moreGreek and Cypriot soup of white beans, olive oil, and vegetables
Soup, Lunch, Dinner
Caldo de polloMeat
🇲🇽 MexicoMexican chicken soup with large pieces of meat and vegetables
Soup, Lunch, Dinner
Borscht
🇺🇦 Ukraine and 5 moreA sour soup of beetroot and vegetables, served hot or cold across Eastern Europe
Soup, Lunch, Dinner