Mercimek Çorbası

Name: Mercimek Çorbası
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Turkish
Ingredients: 2 tbsp olive oil; 1 yellow onion, diced; 1 carrot, diced; 1 small russet potato, peeled, diced; 2 garlic cloves, minced; 1 tbsp tomato paste; 1 tsp ground cumin; 1 cup red lentils, rinsed; 6 cups vegetable broth; 1 tsp salt; 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice; 1 tsp dried mint

A traditional Turkish red lentil soup simmered with vegetables and warm spices, blended until velvety smooth.

45 minEasyServes 4230 cal/serving

TurkishSoupStovetop and BlenderVeganVegetarianMediterraneanHigh FiberGluten-FreeNut-FreeDairy-FreeSoy-FreeEgg-FreeShellfish-FreeSesame-FreeLow-SugarAlcohol-FreeCorn-Free

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Ingredients

2 tbsp olive oil
1 yellow onion, diced
1 carrot, diced
1 small russet potato, peeled, diced
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 tbsp tomato paste
1 tsp ground cumin
1 cup red lentils, rinsed
6 cups vegetable broth
1 tsp salt
2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
1 tsp dried mint

Instructions

1

Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large soup pot over medium heat.
2

Add 1 diced yellow onion, 1 diced carrot, and 1 small peeled, diced russet potato, cooking for 5 minutes until softened.
3

Stir in 2 minced garlic cloves, 1 tbsp tomato paste, and 1 tsp ground cumin, sauteing for 1 minute until fragrant.
4

Add 1 cup rinsed red lentils, 6 cups vegetable broth, and 1 tsp salt, bringing the mixture to a simmer.
5

Cover and simmer on low heat for 25 minutes until lentils and vegetables are tender.
6

Puree the soup with an immersion blender until smooth, then finish by stirring in 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice and 1 tsp dried mint.

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About Mercimek Çorbası

Also called: Turkish red lentil soup, mercimek, mercimek corbasi, lentil soup

Mercimek çorbası is Turkish red lentil soup: red lentils simmered with onion, carrot, potato, tomato paste and cumin, then pureed smooth and finished with lemon and dried mint. It is one of the most common soups in Turkey, served at home, in restaurants and as a starter before the main course. Red lentils break down completely as they cook, which is what makes the soup smooth and thick without cream. The potato in this recipe adds extra body; the carrot adds sweetness and color.

Lemon and mint are the finish. Squeeze more lemon at the table and, if you like, drizzle with butter warmed with red pepper flakes, which is the usual restaurant garnish. The soup is pureed with an immersion blender after the vegetables and lentils are tender. The texture should be smooth and thick but still pourable, not a paste.

Serving and keeping

Serve hot with lemon wedges and bread. Keeps 4 days in the fridge and freezes well; thin with water when reheating.

Variations

Ezogelin

Add a handful of fine bulgur and a tablespoon of rice with the lentils and do not puree it, for the related ezogelin çorbası.

With chili butter

Warm 2 tablespoons of butter with 1 teaspoon of pul biber and drizzle over each bowl.

Without potato

Use only lentils, onion and carrot for a lighter soup.

If it goes wrong

Soup is too thick

Lentils keep absorbing liquid. Thin with hot broth or water to taste, especially when reheating.

Soup is grainy

Simmer until the lentils fully collapse (step 5), then blend longer with the immersion blender.

Tastes flat

Add more salt and lemon at the end; red lentils need both.

Substitutions

vegetable broth: chicken broth or water. Chicken broth is common in Turkey; water gives a lighter taste, add more salt.
russet potato: a second carrot. Slightly thinner, sweeter soup.
dried mint: fresh mint, chopped. Use 1 tablespoon and add it just before serving.

Questions

What is Mercimek Çorbası?

A traditional Turkish red lentil soup simmered with vegetables and warm spices, blended until velvety smooth. This reference files it under Turkish soup: made on the stovetop and in a blender, rated easy and about 45 minutes start to finish.

How much time should I plan for Mercimek Çorbası?

As written, 45 minutes: 15 of prep and 30 of cooking. The longest single stretch is step 5 (25 minutes): "Cover and simmer on low heat for 25 minutes until lentils and vegetables are tender."

What should Mercimek Çorbası look like when it is ready?

Go by the cues in the method rather than the clock. Step 5: cook until lentils and vegetables are tender.

Is Mercimek Çorbası gluten-free?

Yes. As written, nothing in the ingredient list for Mercimek Çorbası is wheat, barley or rye. Gluten hides in packaged goods, so read the label on the broth.

Can I freeze Mercimek Çorbası?

Yes. Refrigerate Mercimek Çorbası for up to four days. Reheat gently on the stovetop with a splash of water or stock to loosen it. The potatoes turn grainy in the freezer, so this one is better kept in the refrigerator.

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