Jun 08 2026
RestaurantsIstanbul Grill House Turkish RestaurantRed Lentil Soup (mercimek) Recipe

Red Lentil Soup (mercimek) Recipe

Time40m
Serves4

Traditional Turkish soup made with red lentils.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients

Method

Cooking Instructions

  1. 1

    Sauté the Vegetables

    In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté until translucent, about 5 minutes.

  2. 2

    Add the Remaining Ingredients

    Stir in the carrot, potato, tomato paste, cumin, and red lentils. Mix well.

  3. 3

    Simmer the Soup

    Pour in the vegetable broth or water. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer for about 20-25 minutes, or until the lentils and vegetables are tender.

  4. 4

    Season the Soup

    Season with salt and black pepper to taste. If you prefer a smoother consistency, you can use an immersion blender to purée the soup to your desired texture.

  5. 5

    Serve

    Ladle the soup into bowls and enjoy warm. Optionally, drizzle with a little more olive oil before serving.

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