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    Home » Recipes » Mediterranean Soups and Stews

    Lemon Lentil Soup (Adas Bi Hamod)

    By Mariam・Published:Feb 16, 2022・Updated: Feb 16, 2022・Post may have affiliate links.

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    Lebanese lentil soup with vegetables in a bowl

    Lebanese lemon lentil soup, also known as adas bi hamod, is a hearty, healthy, and delicious lentil soup made with simple pantry staples and vegetables. Lentils, Swiss chard, carrots, garlic, lemon, and other superfood ingredients make adas bi hamod a nutrition powerhouse that's perfect for cold winter days.

    This lentil soup is perfect with some homemade garlic bread.

    What I Love About This Recipe

    I love the tangy flavor that comes from the lemon and sumac blend used to make this Lebanese lentil soup. I also love that it's a super nutritious dish that's also finger-licking good (we need more of this combination).

    There are also so many heartwarming memories attached to this adas bi hamood recipe. I remember how my mom would make it for anyone who was under the weather and how my grandma would serve it whenever it started getting cold outside.

    Ingredient Notes

    • Lentils: This ingredient forms the base of this recipe and enriches it with protein and fiber. It's best to use green lentils when making this lemon lentil soup.
    • Swiss chard: A key ingredient that adds a ton of health benefits to the dish. It can be substituted with spinach (I personally prefer chard).
    • Garlic: Use mashed or pressed fresh garlic. The garlic blends so well with the olive oil and lemon combination.
    • Potato: Use any type of peeled white or golden potato.
    • Carrots: My grandma never makes this soup without them. You can skip using them if you can't find any but they do add to the flavor of this soup.
    • Lemon juice: Use freshly squeeze lemon juice.
    • Sumac: Some people don't add sumac to lemon lentil soup but I never skip it because it just adds to the delicious tangy twist here.

    See the recipe card at the bottom of the post for quantities.

    How To Make Adas Bi Hamod

    Start by boiling the lentils in a large pot with water.

    boil the lentils

    Cook the lentils for 10 to 15 minutes before adding in the carrots and potato. Once the carrots and potatoes are nearly done cooking, add in the Swiss chard.

    Squeeze the lemons. Mash the garlic with some salt using a mortar and pestle. When the Swiss chard is wilted, mix your lemon juice, olive oil, and garlic. Add the lemon, mashed garlic, and olive oil mixture to the pot and stir well.

    The final touch is to add in the salt, pepper, and sumac.

    adas bi hamood with sumac

    Stir the soup one last time, take off the heat and serve drizzled with some more olive oil.

    close up view of Lebanese adas bi hamood

    Tips and Tricks

    • Make sure you taste the lemon lentil soup as you go to ensure you don't add too much lemon or sumac.
    • Fine tune the flavors to your liking. Some people prefer adas bi hamod on the tangier side, others like the flavor of olive oil to be stronger.
    • Start by cooking the lentils first, then add the vegetables rather than tossing everything together. This is to ensure you don't overcook the veggies and they retain a nice texture.

    Variations and Substitutions

    • Substitute the greens by substituting spinach or collard greens for the Swiss chard.
    • Substitute kale for the Swiss chard. I know several friends who make this soup with kale and swear that it tastes incredible.
    Lebanese lemon lentil soup with vegetables

    Equipment

    • Large pot: To cook a big batch of deliciousness.
    • Garlic press or mortar and pestle: To mince your garlic cloves with ease.
    • Juicer: For the lemons.
    • Wooden spoon: To stir and mix everything together.
    • Ladle: To serve this gorgeous soup.

    Storage

    You can store this soup in an airtight container and keep it in the fridge for up to 4 days. This recipe also freezes really well so you can always freeze a batch and store it for up to 6 months.

    FAQs

    Do I need to soak the lentils before making the soup?


    No, you just need to rinse them really well and they'll be ready to boil.

    Is lentil soup good for weight loss?

    Lentil soup isn't on the heavy end when it comes to calories but moderation is key. You can use less olive oil here if you're watching your calorie intake. Other than weight loss, this lentil soup is super nutritious and healthy. It makes an incredible addition to any meal plan.

    Lentil Recipes

    • Egyptian Red Lentil Soup
    • Mujadara Msufaye Lebanese Lentils and Rice
    • Authentic Lebanese Red Lentil Soup
    • Egyptian Koshari Recipe (The Best I've Had)

    More Recipes By Mariam

    • Kousa Mahshi Lebanese Stuffed Zucchini
    • Beef Sambousek (Fried Meat Pastries)
    • Shish Barak Lebanese Dumplings in Yogurt
    • Zaatar Manakeesh Flatbread

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    lentil soup addas bi hamood

    Lemon Lentil Soup (Adas Bi Hamod)

    Author: Mariam
    Course: Soup
    Cuisine: Lebanese
    Prep: 20 mins
    Cook: 40 mins
    Total: 1 hr
    5 from 2 votes
    Print Pin Rate Email
    Servings 6
    Lebanese lemon lentil soup, aka adas bi hamod, is a vegan soup made with green lentils, Swiss chard, carrots, garlic, sumac, and lemon.

    Ingredients
     
    US Customary - Metric

    • 8-10 cups water
    • 1 cup brown lentils rinsed
    • 4-6 large cups chopped Swiss chard
    • 2 medium sized potatoes chopped into cubes
    • 2 carrots peeled and sliced
    • 3 cloves of garlic minced
    • Juice of 2 lemons
    • 1 tablespoon sumac
    • ½ cup of olive oil
    • Salt & pepper to taste

    Instructions

    • Bring water to a boil in a large pot and add the lentils to it. Let them cook for about 8-12 minutes. 
    • Add in the potatoes and carrots. Stir and let cook for around 8 more minutes. 
    • Toss in the chard and stir really well. Let everything come to a boil. 
    • Once the chard is wilted, mix the lemon with the garlic and olive oil and pour into the soup. Stir really well. 
    • Let everything cook together for 5-6 minutes. 
    • Give the soup a taste, season it with salt and pepper. Then add in the sumac. 
    • Take off the heat and serve. 

    Notes

    1. Substitute collard greens, spinach, or kale for Swiss chard.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1/6 | Calories: 267kcal | Carbohydrates: 21g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 18g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 15g | Trans Fat: 0g | Cholesterol: 0mg | Sodium: 125mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 3g

    More Mediterranean Soups and Stews

    • Crustless Chicken Pot Pie
    • Stovetop Pot Roast
    • Lebanese Molokhia With Chicken
    • Whole Chicken Noodle Soup From Scratch

    About Mariam

    I am Mariam Nabbout, a writer and content creator. I’ve spent years dedicating research, digital, and filmmaking skills to come up with content that's just as meaningful as it is inspiring. A few of my obsessions include good branding, films, photography, design, art, and of course, food.

    Reader Interactions

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Karen E.

      April 03, 2022 at 4:08 pm

      5 stars
      Delicious and filling. I added a little more lentils (doubling it) and it turned out great. I added a little more water too for the extra lentils.

      Reply
      • Lily

        April 03, 2022 at 4:09 pm

        Thank you Karen for your comment and variation!

        Reply

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