Description
Comforting turkey lentil soup celebrates hearty Mediterranean flavors with lean protein and nutritious legumes. Warm spices and rich broth create a satisfying meal you’ll crave during cool evenings.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein Ingredients:
- 1 pound (1 lb) ground turkey (or shredded cooked turkey)
- 6 cups chicken or turkey broth
Vegetables and Legumes:
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 carrots, sliced
- 2 celery stalks, chopped
- 1 cup dry lentils (green or brown), rinsed
- 1 (14.5 ounces) can diced tomatoes
- 2 cups baby spinach or kale (optional, for extra greens)
Seasonings and Finishing Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme (or 1 tablespoon fresh)
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice (for brightness)
- Fresh parsley or cilantro
- Grated Parmesan cheese (if not dairy-free)
Instructions
- Warm olive oil in a spacious cooking vessel over moderate temperature, creating a fragrant base for the soup.
- Introduce ground turkey into the pot, methodically breaking down the meat while searing until it develops a rich, caramelized exterior.
- Incorporate diced onion, minced garlic, chopped carrots, and sliced celery, allowing the vegetables to soften and release their aromatic essence.
- Sprinkle in a harmonious blend of seasonings – salt, black pepper, earthy cumin, smoky paprika, and fragrant thyme – coating the meat and vegetables with layers of flavor.
- Cascade lentils, diced tomatoes, savory broth, and a single bay leaf into the pot, stirring to marry all ingredients thoroughly.
- Elevate the liquid to a vigorous boil, then reduce heat, allowing the soup to gently simmer and transform, with lentils absorbing the complex flavors for 30-35 minutes until tender.
- Introduce vibrant spinach or kale in the final moments, letting the greens wilt and integrate seamlessly into the soup’s texture.
- Discard the bay leaf and brighten the soup’s profile with a splash of zesty lemon juice.
- Ladle the steaming soup into serving vessels, garnishing with fresh parsley or a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese.
- Accompany the soup with crusty artisan bread or a crisp side salad for a complete, nourishing meal.
Notes
- Boost nutrition by adding extra vegetables like zucchini or bell peppers for more color and vitamins.
- Prep lentils quickly by rinsing them thoroughly to remove any dirt or debris before cooking.
- Make it vegetarian by swapping ground turkey with plant-based crumbles or extra firm tofu for protein.
- Enhance flavor depth by toasting spices briefly in the pot before adding other ingredients to release their aromatic oils.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 260
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 10g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 70mg