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Simple Lebanese red lentil soup, aka shorbet adas, is a quick and easy Middle Eastern lentil soup recipe made with a handful of ingredients.

Lebanese red lentil soup with crushed pita

Lentils are such a great source of plant-based protein, and when blended, create such a creamy soup. This easy lentil soup is made with pantry staples, and it reheats beautifully.

How To Make Lebanese Red Lentil Soup

Add washed and rinsed red lentils and water to a big pot. Bring to a boil, then turn to medium-low heat. Add the diced onion, bay leaves, salt, and ground cumin to the lentils. Once the lentils soften and turn yellow-orangeish, turn off the heat.

Add lemon juice and olive oil. Use an immersion hand blender to blend the soup.

Serve this Lebanese lentil soup recipe with toasted pita chips and a lemon wedge.

Recipe Tips

Ensure you add the olive oil and lemon juice a few minutes after taking the soup off the heat. This prevents the two flavorful ingredients from heating up too quickly and losing quality (which happens if we add them in during cooking or right after). So always remember to allow the soup to cool down just a bit before adding these in.

Lentil Soup Variations

The great thing about this vegan soup is you can make different versions.

Add peeled carrots and potatoes for a heavier soup.
Add a little white rice to this dish, and transform this into moujadara soup.
Instead of plain water, use vegetable stock. Another great way to add flavor is adding one teaspoon of ground turmeric.
Some people fry the onions before adding them. This makes the soup a little heavier and also makes the color a bit more brown.

Lebanese red lentil soup with toasted pita bread.

Check out some of the other lentil soups on the blog: coconut curry red lentil soup, Egyptian red lentil soup, or Lebanese lentil soup with swiss chard.

What to Serve With Lebanese Lentil Soup

This is delicious when served alongside some oven-toasted garlic bread.
Most people in Lebanon serve this with toasted pita bread that's often crushed and sprinkled on top of each serving plate.
I know many friends who eat this soup with some amazing pita chips (they basically dip the chips right into it).

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