Red lentil soup with lemon from In the Kitchen with a Good Appetite: 150 Recipes and Stories about the Food You Love (page 75) by Melissa Clark

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Always check the publication for a full list of ingredients. An Eat Your Books index lists the main ingredients and does not include 'store-cupboard ingredients' (salt, pepper, oil, flour, etc.) - unless called for in significant quantity.

Notes about this recipe

  • Eat Your Books

    Can substitute vegetable broth for chicken broth and mint or parsley for cilantro.

  • crandall57 on March 06, 2026

    We really enjoyed this soup. It's easy to put together too.

  • tahnee359753 on February 11, 2026

    Followed recipe as written. Garnished with cilantro, mint and parsley. I also had a bowl of chopped plum tomatoes and a bowl of chopped red onion for guests to add if they chose. As other commenters noted, I definitely recommend not skipping the lemon juice as it gives the soup a much needed brightness.

  • jhallen on February 22, 2021

    This was amazing. Very balanced, subtle and delicious flavors, extremely easy. Loved it.

  • chawkins on March 24, 2018

    Simple and delicious, takes no time at all to make.

  • Lepa on September 13, 2017

    The whole family loved this simple, delicious soup. We ate it garnished with mint and yogurt.

  • meggan on May 11, 2016

    It's good. It's easy - what's not to love? I am so lazy, I don't even peel the carrots! Make sure you add the lemon though because that's the key.

  • wodtke on August 17, 2015

    As I have come to expect from Melissa Clark, this is an excellent recipe. I did modify it by adding Italian sausage, broken up, browned, and drained.

  • Laura on October 21, 2014

    Pg. 75. Fantastic! Loved this soup! I used chicken stock and added the juice of 2 lemons. This was so quick, easy, healthful, and beautiful! It was such a pretty soup that I took a picture. I'll be making it again soon!

  • Melanie on July 24, 2014

    Easy and and delicious weeknight meal that reheats well. Perfect when feeling ill as there isn't much effort required. I really enjoyed the lift given by the lemon and coriander but may add more chilli. Will try with mint next time for something slightly different. I swapped water in for half of the suggested stock.

  • stockholm28 on April 08, 2014

    Easy weeknight meal. Lemon and mint made the soup taste really light. I topped with some Aleppo pepper as suggested by other reviewers.

  • Cheri on December 15, 2013

    Loved this. Garnished with fresh mint and a dollop of Greek yogurt. Easy, nice flavors.

  • Breadcrumbs on February 27, 2013

    p. 75 Perfection in a bowl! I made per MC's directions veering off the path only when it came to garnish as I topped w some Aleppo pepper. I tasted this before adding the lemon juice and it was delicious. So much so that I hesitated as to whether I should bother but then I remembered MC commenting that this is one recipe that she always makes to her own specifications each time she prepares it so in went the lemon juice. It really takes the soup from good to great. I found the lemon really made the flavour of the carrots pop. We just loved this. I'll be happy to make it again!

  • robinorig on March 04, 2012

    Love this soup, the lemon really lightens it up & makes it wonderful. I have also found, not surprisingly, that different stock makes the soup taste very different. I like it best with really good vegetable stock. I also like the Orangette version using Aleppo pepper, it is nicely aromatic.

  • vinochic on September 14, 2011

    Really good. Even better the next day!

  • Emily Hope on May 21, 2011

    Nice basic lentil soup recipe. C thought that it was just sweet enough from the carrots without going over the edge to too sweet.

  • Vand11 on January 09, 2011

    As far as lentil soups go this is pretty good. Reheats well.

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Reviews about this recipe

  • Eats Well with Others

    The lentils basically melt into the broth,..Combine that with a hint of tang from the lemon, spice from the cayenne, and smokiness from the cumin...a flavor orgy in a bowl.

    Full review
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