Red Lentil Soup with Sumac
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I used to make this on the stove top all the time, but now I prefer to use the Instant Pot. Whip up a batch whenever you have a few minutes to spare, and it will stay piping hot until you’re ready to enjoy it. The soup is brightly flavored from the squeeze of lemon juice stirred in at the end of cooking. That addition really makes the dish, so don’t skip it! Serve the soup drizzled with extra-virgin olive oil and sprinkled with sumac (a lemony Middle Eastern spice) for a fresh, peppery finishing touch.
Votes: 8
Rating: 4.5
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Course Soup
Cuisine Middle East
Difficulty Easy
Browse Category Soups, Stews & Broths
Duration 15-30 min
Cooking Technique Pressure Cook
Main Ingredient Lentils, Sumac
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Servings
4 servings
Ingredients
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 2 carrots peeled and diced
  • 2 large stalks celery diced
  • 1 small yellow onion diced
  • 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 cup red lentils
  • 4 cups Water or vegetable broth
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • extra-virgin olive oil for serving
  • ground sumac for serving
Course Soup
Cuisine Middle East
Difficulty Easy
Browse Category Soups, Stews & Broths
Duration 15-30 min
Cooking Technique Pressure Cook
Main Ingredient Lentils, Sumac
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Servings
4 servings
Ingredients
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 2 carrots peeled and diced
  • 2 large stalks celery diced
  • 1 small yellow onion diced
  • 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 cup red lentils
  • 4 cups Water or vegetable broth
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • extra-virgin olive oil for serving
  • ground sumac for serving
Votes: 8
Rating: 4.5
Rate this recipe!
Print Recipe
Instructions
  1. Select the Sauté setting on the Instant Pot and heat the olive oil. Add the carrots, celery, onion, and salt and sauté for about 5 minutes, until the onion has softened and is translucent.
  2. Add the lentils, water, and bay leaf and stir well.
  3. Secure the lid and set the Pressure Release to Sealing. Press the Cancel button to reset the cooking program, then select the Select the Soup/Broth setting and set the cooking time for 15 minutes at high pressure.
  4. Let the pressure release naturally for at least 10 minutes, then move the Steam Release to Venting to release any remaining steam.
  5. Open the pot and stir in the lemon juice, then taste and adjust the seasoning with salt if needed.
  6. Ladle the soup into bowls, top each serving with a drizzle of extra-virgin olive oil and a sprinkling of sumac, and serve right away.
Recipe Notes

If you like, add 1 teaspoon of a favorite spice blend to the soup when you add the lentils. Garam masala, ras el hanout, and berbere are three of my favorites.