Turkish Yellow Lentil Soup "Mercimek Çorbası"/ Restaurant Style

red lentils

🥗Healthier: green lentils

💰Cheaper: split peas

Green lentils are more nutritious, while split peas are often cheaper.

olive oil

🥗Healthier: avocado oil

💰Cheaper: vegetable oil

Avocado oil has a higher smoke point and is healthier, while vegetable oil is budget-friendly.

In a medium-size pan heat oil. Add chopped onion and sauté for about 3-4 minutes or until it has golden color on some spots.

Add chopped garlic and 2 tbsp flour. Continue to sauté for 2 minutes until nutty smell coming from the flour.

If the mixture is too thick you can add 1/2 tbsp or more butter or drizzle some more oil.

Add about 1-liter hot water while stirring continuously, you can use a wire whisker.

Add washed and drained yellow lentils, chicken stock if using, and salt.

Cook on low medium heat until lentils are soft for about 20 minutes.

Blend the lentil soup with a hand blender or food processor until smooth. Add more water if needed for a nice thick soup consistency.

Before serving the soup make the butter sauce: Melt butter in a small sauce pan. Add tsp of sweet or hot paprika as you wish, or red pepper flakes fine too. Cook for 10-20 seconds until you have nice red butter sauce.

Serve the hot soup, drizzle some of the sauce over it. Serve it with lemon wedges, dried mint, and dried oregano.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Dietary