This Moroccan Lentil Soup with turmeric and lamb is comfort in a bowl. And while it’s categorized as a soup, it’s a full meal on its own. If using an Instant Pot, this meal is ready in 30 minutes!
Today’s pure deliciousness in a bowl recipe is in partnership with American Lamb— All thoughts and opinions are my own. I know it’s Spring, but guess what? It still feels like soup for dinner! This Moroccan Lentil Soup with turmeric and lamb is just what I need.
It’s such a joy to share how much I LOVE lamb with you, and especially American lamb because it’s by far the highest quality lamb I’ve ever tasted!
For some of you who haven’t tried lamb, or have a bad experience with lamb, I can certainly say it’s because you didn’t try American lamb!
YES, it makes a huge difference! It’s always fresh, raised to the highest industry standards and best of all, it’s raised with so much LOVE from our farmers! You absolutely taste every bit of that love. 🙂
MOROCCAN LENTIL SOUP
I came across this wonder of a soup through a Moroccan chef who worked for us a long time ago. It was love at first sip. Literally. I was very keen on her showing me exactly how it’s done and have been making it ever since.
About a decade later, I’ve met a lovely Moroccan friend through a kids activity. And the first thing I probably told her was that I LOVE Moroccan lentil soup!! So she invited me over and made it for me.
I found out that every Moroccan grandma makes this lentil soup a bit differently. The base of it always includes lamb, lentils, and chickpeas.
Sometimes it could include tiny pasta shells added at the end, and veggies like carrots, sweet potatoes, peas, etc. Also, the ratio of lamb versus lentils may vary from one home to the other.
So as a result, I’ve tweaked my soup recipe a bit to include extra cilantro, more turmeric (which I’ve been loving lately!) and added some white beans and barley.
LENTIL SOUP RECIPE
I couldn’t ask for more. This easy comforting soup is insanely delicious!
Let me tell you, this Moroccan lentil soup is the bomb!
Flavor and protein-packed fresh lamb, more goodness from black lentils, chickpeas, barley, and white beans all cooked in a fragrant turmeric tomato base.
Bonus-this delicious lamb and lentil soup recipe can come together in just 30 minutes if you’ve got a pressure cooker or instant pot!
It’s one of those soups that has really all you need in a full meal.
Before I go into details of this lick your bowl delicious lamb and lentil soup, I should mention a few things. This recipe is so easy, I’ve made a quick video so you can watch how it all comes together.
Another thing, I probably should mention that you don’t need to have cold weather to enjoy a bowl of soup like this. I used to make Moroccan lentil soup all year round when I lived in Miami.
And almost every time this topic comes up, the same thought pops in my mind. Why on earth did I leave Miami?! I don’t have a real answer, just some excuses which are even more confusing!
So if you’re having some cold weather and need a warm cozy bowl of comfort and deliciousness, make this Moroccan lentil soup.
And similarly, if you live in a warm place, first of all, I envy you! Secondly, you’ll still enjoy this bowl of this lamb and lentil soup. I promise 🙂
HOW TO MAKE LENTIL SOUP
Here’s a breakdown of how to make this Moroccan lentil soup. If you have an instant pot (like I’ve used in the video) or pressure cooker, it’ll all be ready in 30 minutes. If not, then it works just as well on your stove, but it needs around an hour.
So start by sautéing the onions and garlic, add your American lamb and start seasoning. Salt, pepper, nutmeg, turmeric, paprika and cumin.
Then, throw in a slice of lime, cilantro, tomato paste, lentils, barley and the liquid of your choice.
I added stock and water combo for an extra boost of flavor. However, I’ve made it a few times with water alone and it was still delicious!!
Since I used an instant pot, I set it to pressure cooker and it took just 30 minutes for the lentils and barley to cook through. Then I added my canned and rinsed beans, chickpeas and a little more water.
At that point everything is cooked, so you basically need to just give the lentil soup 10 mins of simmering so all the flavors infuse beautifully together.
There you go. Soothing, comforting, hearty, filling and mouthwatering delicious lamb and lentil soup that’s ready in 30 mins.
Finish your Moroccan lentil soup off with some spice, fresh tomatoes and cooling Greek yogurt for a contrast of taste and textures.
Something as tiny as those garnishes can make your lentil soup feel like a fancy meal 🙂 Try this delicious lamb and lentil soup and tag me to check out your scrumptious versions of lamb lentil soup!
LENTIL SOUP TIPS
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The beauty of this soup recipe is that anything would be great to add here. Something like fresh kale, spinach, carrots, or sweet potatoes. Just add them halfway after you add the lentils because the lentils need to cook the longest.
- I love finishing off my lamb lentil soup with some cooling Greek yogurt, chopped chilies, cilantro, and tomatoes. This is certainly optional, but it really does give your lentil soup a nice contrast in texture and freshness.
- As a liquid, I like to add a mix of broth and water to give the lentil soup extra flavor!
SOUP RECIPES
Quinoa Sweet Potato Lentil Soup
Creamy Peanut Soup with Peanut Crunch Herb Pistou
Walnut Squash Soup In Squash Cups
Moroccan Lamb and Turmeric Lentil Soup
This Moroccan Lamb and Turmeric Lentil soup is comfort in a bowl. And while it’s categorized as a soup, it’s a full meal on its own.
Ingredients
Soup:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 red onion diced
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 1 pound ground American lamb
- 1 teaspoon each of salt and pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon turmeric
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 3 tablespoons canned tomato paste
- 1 slice lime
- 2 tablespoons minced cilantro
- 1 cup brown or black lentils
- 3/4 cup barley
- 4 cups liquid a mixture of broth/stock (any flavor you prefer) and water.
- 2/3 cup white beans
- 1 cup chickpeas
- 1/4 cup cilantro
- **extra half cup of water if needed
Garnish:
- chopped chilies
- chopped tomatoes
- Greek yogurt
Instructions
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Preheat your instant pot, or regular pot on medium-high heat. Add the olive oil and sauté the onions for 2 minutes until they start to soften, then add the garlic and lamb. Start seasoning the lamb and add the salt, pepper, nutmeg, turmeric, paprika, and cumin.
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Sautee the lamb for 5 minutes until cooked. Add in a slice of lime, cilantro and tomato paste and mix them in with the lamb mixture. Then add in the lentils, barley and liquids.
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Cover your pot and allow the lentils and barley to cook through. If using an instant pot, set it to pressure cooking and set it to 25 minutes, and if you’re using a pressure cooker, also set it to 20-30 mins most. If you’re making the soup on the stove, then allow the mixture to boil, lower the heat to medium-low, cover the pot and allow the soup to cook for 40-50 minutes until the lentils cook through.
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Add the beans and chickpeas, plus an extra half cup of water if needed** and cover the pot for another 10 mins. At that point, add some cilantro and serve!
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Garnish the soup with chillies, tomatoes and Greek yogurt. Enjoy! 🙂
Recipe Video
Recipe Notes
-
The beauty of this soup recipe is that anything would be great to add here. Something like fresh kale, spinach, carrots, or sweet potatoes. Just add them halfway after you add the lentils because the lentils need to cook the longest.
- I love finishing off my lamb lentil soup with some cooling Greek yogurt, chopped chilies, cilantro, and tomatoes. This is certainly optional, but it really does give your lentil soup a nice contrast in texture and freshness.
- As a liquid, I like to add a mix of broth and water to give the lentil soup extra flavor!
Made this today. Had everything available except nutmeg. It turned out delicious, will definitely make again.
can I make this without barley? If so, do I need to do anything else in it’s place?
Hi Kathleen, you can totally skip the barley and you don’t have to substitute except add 1/4 cup extra chickpeas and 1/4 cup extra lentils. 🙂
I forgot the rating. Wish I could post a picture…
Yaaay!! Thanks so much Joyce!! You can share photos on Pinterest!
I just made this soup. Delish! I opted for potatoes instead of white beans cause that is what I had. I had already chopped a carrot and some celery so that went in the pot. (I got confused with another recipe that I looked at. LOL) No cilantro so I added some coriander spice. My kitchen has been smelling amazing. Love the spice combo. Thanks. I will make this again.
OMGoodness, I love the celery and potatoes you’ve added here! YUM!! SO happy you enjoyed it 🙂
Forgot to rate this, it was easy and delish!
Yaay!! Thank YOU so much!!
Made this today an it was so easy and delicious! Thanks!
So happy you enjoyed this!!
I never understand why people rate recipes they haven’t made. But alas, I’m going to give this a try, even with unreliable ratings. =\ Do you use natural or quick pressure release on the instant pot in both steps? Thanks!
Hi Melissa, I use manual all the time. Just keep an eye on the amount of liquid you need for this recipe–which depends on how saucy or thick you prefer you soup to be. Hope you make it and enjoy!
I always use manual Melissa!
Lamb and lentil soup looks hearty and filling love the addition of turmeric and spics. For me I can’t imagine a curry without turmeric.
I know what you mean Swathi!! This combo is magic.
I know without a doubt I would love this! This looks absolutely delicious and such a comforting bowl of soup to end the day with. I have to give this a try!
I think it’s really worth trying and you’ll be hooked!
I can almost smell the flavors you have in this soup. I love lentils and I love lamb, Moroccan flavors are always in our home so this is do-able sometime soon.
It’s really worth trying it Veena!
Love the flavors! Love the taste of lamb! And what a great combination of spices in one soup. This is one soup that I know our family will enjoy! I’ll be making this soup this coming week.
It’s really the perfect combo and American lamb adds so much more flavor!!
M fiance always says that soup isn’t real food lol…but he LOVES lamb and I can you with certainty that when I make this for him, he will eat it ALL!
OMG Lauren this is the answer to your fiance! You absolutely need to make this one for him 🙂
This is a 100% perfect soup for me. I want to thank you for this great recipe! Looks very tasty. I definitely want to try it. An interesting mix of ingredients. Thank you!
Thank you too!
I love lamb and can just tell this recipe will be delicious and filling. Thanks for sharing
Thanks Michelle! It really is all of that.
I’m so glad to find this lentil recipe. I’ve been trying to add lentils into my menu rotation more often and need a variety of ways to serve them, since my husband isn’t as big a fan as I am.
you never know Noel, maybe this soup might change his mind..
I love soup/stews that are meals all on their own. One bowl, done!! I love lamb and moroccan flavors. This looks delish!
that’s exactly my feeling Kylee!
what great flavors to enhance lamb. We eat alot of lamb and never had it like this I will have to try this soup . A great idea!
It’s pure comfort Claudia!!
Hi. Nice recipe. Question: lentils, barley, chickpeas and white beans. Do you use dried stuff? It’s not clear to me. Thank you.
Hi Claudia, Yes there’s the lentils and barley which are raw so they need the most to cook. The beans and chickpeas are canned, drained and rinsed, that’s why I added them towards the end.
Feel free to use all raw beans and chickpeas too, but add them at the beginning with the lentils and adjust the cooking time/water amount.