Smoky Tomato Red Lentil Soup
Estimated $4.53 recipe · $2.27 per serving (US / USD)
Thick, warming red lentil and tomato soup with smoked paprika and cumin — ready in 25 minutes and meal-prep gold.
The recipe
Smoky Tomato Red Lentil Soup
Thick, warming red lentil and tomato soup with smoked paprika and cumin — ready in 25 minutes and meal-prep gold.
Ingredients
- 150g red lentils
- 400g tin chopped tomatoes
- 1 onion, diced
- 3 garlic cloves, grated
- 700ml vegetable stock
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1/2 tsp ground coriander
- Pinch of chilli flakes
- Juice of 1/2 lemon
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- Salt and pepper
- Crusty bread to serve
Estimated recipe cost
$4.53 for 2 servings · $2.27 per serving
US grocery planning estimate in USD. Includes the amounts used from the listed ingredients, including pantry items. Prices and portion weights vary.
Ingredient-by-ingredient breakdown
| Ingredient & price basis | Cost used |
|---|---|
| 150g red lentilsPlanning assumption · $1.92 / 454 g · Uses 150g | $0.63 |
| 400g tin chopped tomatoesPlanning assumption · $1.00 / 400 g · Uses 400g | $1.00 |
| 1 onion, dicedRetail benchmark · $2.84 / 1361 g · Retail reference · Assumes 150 g per item | $0.31 |
| 3 garlic cloves, gratedRetail benchmark · $0.72 / 30 g · Retail reference · Assumes 3 g per item/portion | $0.22 |
| 700ml vegetable stockPlanning assumption · $1.50 / 946 ml · Uses 700ml | $1.11 |
| 1 tsp smoked paprikaPlanning assumption · $2.00 / 60 g · 1 tsp ≈ 2.5g | $0.08 |
| 1 tsp ground cuminPlanning assumption · $2.00 / 60 g · 1 tsp ≈ 2.5g | $0.08 |
| 1/2 tsp ground corianderPlanning assumption · $2.00 / 60 g · 1 tsp ≈ 2.5g | $0.04 |
| Pinch of chilli flakesPlanning assumption · $2.00 / 60 g · Assumes 0.3 g per item/portion | $0.01 |
| Juice of 1/2 lemonPlanning assumption · $0.60 / 1 each · Count stated in recipe | $0.60 |
| 1 tbsp olive oilRetail benchmark · $6.12 / 503 ml · Retail reference · 1 tbsp ≈ 15ml | $0.18 |
| Salt and pepperPlanning assumption · $0.08 / 1 portion · Unspecified amount: assumes 1 portion | $0.08 |
| Crusty bread to servePlanning assumption · $3.00 / 567 g · Unspecified amount: assumes 35 g | $0.19 |
| Estimated total | $4.53 |
Retail references are representative products, not quotes for every variety. Other prices are editorial planning assumptions. Checked 9 October 2026; these are not live prices.
Price bases and quantity assumptions refer to the original recipe. Unspecified quantities use the assumptions shown above. Listed optional ingredients are included. Unlisted sides, extra seasoning, tax, energy and delivery are excluded. Buying full packages will cost more.
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the diced onion and a pinch of salt and cook for 5 min, stirring occasionally, until softened and translucent.
- Add the grated garlic, smoked paprika, cumin, coriander, and chilli flakes. Stir for 60 seconds until the spices are toasted and fragrant.
- Rinse the lentils under cold water. Add to the pan with the tinned tomatoes and vegetable stock. Stir to combine.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce to a steady simmer and cook uncovered for 15–18 min, stirring occasionally, until the lentils have completely dissolved into the soup and it has thickened.
- Remove from heat and stir in the lemon juice. Taste and season generously — lentil soup needs more salt than you think. Serve as-is for a chunky texture, or blitz half of it for a smoother bowl.
Recipe notes
This freezes perfectly. Double the batch and freeze in portions — it reheats in a saucepan or microwave with a splash of water.
Estimated nutrition per serving
400 kcal · 22g protein. Values are estimates and vary with brands, substitutions and portions.
Recipe images may be AI-generated illustrations. Nutrition figures are estimates.