Mediterranean-Style Red Lentil and Chickpea Soup (Vegan)(Instant Pot Option)

This wonderfully flavorful, rich, and nutritious lentil soup reaches for cultural ethnicity with various spices as well as the well-known and lauded Harissa paste.  You can make this soup quickly either on the stove-top or in your Instant Pot pressure cooker!!

In my single and married (but pre-child) past I had the privilege of traveling across the world to Africa and Nepal as well as a handful of other countries.  I think Ethnic food is incredible.  The flavors in the soup truly seem to transport me to other places!

What do you need to make this Mediterranean – style Red lentil soup?

• Harissa paste – this is a big one.  It’s a combination of a variety of spicy red peppers as well as some spices.  Really contributes a depth of flavor and cultural authenticity to this soup!
• Fresh Ginger – I did add the option to use dried ginger in the recipe card but fresh is best!
• Red Lentils – there are other lentil colors out there, brown, black etc., but red is quick cooking and perfect flavor for this recipe

How to serve this soup:

• Over rice
• with a side salad and crusty bread
• alongside hummus and vegan yogurt

One last comment!  The white stuff you see swirled in the top bowl of soup is a bit of my homemade yogurt.  I talk about it in this post:  2 Easy Ways to Make the Vest Vegan Yogurt.  Happy cooking everyone!  Can’t wait for you to get wrapped up in the flavors!!

IF YOU LIKE THIS POST YOU MIGHT ALSO BE INTERESTED IN:

• Vegan Nacho Cheese
• Best Vegan Egg Salad
• Easy Vegan Buttermilk Biscuits
• Vegan Smoked Gouda Cheese

If you’ve tried this Mediterranean Chickpea and Lentil Soup recipe or any other recipe on the blog then don’t forget to rate the recipe and let me know how you got on in the comments below, I LOVE hearing from you! You can also FOLLOW ME on FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM and PINTEREST to see more delicious food and what this blueberry farm girl is keepin’ busy doing!!!

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Mediterranean-Style Red Lentil and Chickpea Soup

Rich in Ethnic flavors, this Red Lentil and Chickpea Soup is both Savory and Satisfying!

4.86 from 7 votes

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Course: Soup

Cuisine: Mediterranean

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 45 minutes

Total Time: 55 minutes

Servings: 6 people

Calories: 239kcal

Ingredients

• 1 C. Finely Diced Onion
• 1 C. Finely Diced Carrot
• 4 Large cloves minced Garlic
• 1 tsp. Fresh minced Ginger OR 1/4 tsp Dried Ground Ginger
• 2 Tablespoons Olive Oil
• 1 1/2 tsp. Himalayan Salt or other sea salt
• 1/4 tsp. Cumin
• 1/4 tsp. Tumeric
• 1/4 tsp. Paprika
• 1/4 tsp. Cinnamon
• 1/8 tsp. Chilli Powder
• Pinch Coriander
• 1 tsp Harissa OR Pinch Cayenne use more of either depending on how spicy you like it
• 1 Can Diced Tomatoes 14.5 oz
• 1 Can Chickpeas garbanzos (15.5 oz)
• 1 C. Dry Red lentils Rinsed
• 32 oz. or 4 Cups Vegetable Broth
• 2 C. Water
• 1 T. Fresh Lemon Juice

Instructions

• Finely dice onions and carrots either by hand or with a food processor. Mince Garlic and Ginger root. Add all these to instant pot or stock pot and begin to Saute’ with olive oil. Add seasonings and salt. Saute’ for a few moments until fragrant and onions begin to soften. Stir frequently to prevent burning.
• Now add can of diced tomatoes (with juice) that you’ve either pulsed in a food processor, or chopped a bit to create smaller pieces. Add the remaining ingredients (lentils, rinsed/drained chickpeas, veg. broth, water, Harissa) with the exception of the fresh lemon.
• If using Instant Pot: set Manual (high) pressure to 11 minutes and allow pressure to naturally release for 10 minutes before manually releasing remaining pressure.
• If cooking on stovetop: Bring to boil, then reduce heat and simmer for approx 45 minutes or until lentils are tender.
• Stir in Fresh Lemon, garnish with fresh herbs if desired, and serve!

Nutrition

Serving: 1.5cup | Calories: 239kcal | Carbohydrates: 37g | Protein: 11g | Fat: 5g | Sodium: 1229mg | Potassium: 697mg | Fiber: 14g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 7135IU | Vitamin C: 13.9mg | Calcium: 75mg | Iron: 4.1mg