Detox Moroccan Lentil Soup

What To Expect From This Moroccan Lentil Soup Recipe

• Cozy flavors. We've got turmeric, ginger, cumin, cinnamon, and smoked paprika, which makes this soup extra cozy!
• Detoxifying properties. The Moroccan spices we're using are warming, great for digestion, and so tasty. You can also substitute the individual spices with a blend, like Moroccan ras el hanout.
• Hearty and filling. This lentil soup recipe uses a mix of lentils and lots of tender vegetables, so it's super satisfying.
• Great for meal prep. This soup is freezer-friendly, meal prep-friendly, AND made in just one pot!

Best Types of Lentils for Soup

Lentils are one of my favorite ingredients to add to soups because they're filling and hearty. They also cook quickly and have an amazing texture. Lentils typically take about 40 minutes (max) to cook and give this soup a somewhat meat-like texture, which is perfect for those of us who have meat eaters in our houses. Three main types of lentils work really well in soup:

1. Green/Brown Lentils: My go-to lentils for soup are green or brown. They cook in about 35 – 40 minutes and hold their shape. They have a mellow flavor, but they help give you that meaty texture. They're also really easy to find at most grocery stores!
2. Red Lentils: These are perfect for soup when you use them in combination with something else. Red lentils cook very quickly and don't hold their shape. They break down and turn quite thick. I love adding them into soups as a secondary ingredient because they help thicken the soup while not affecting the flavor, AND adding protein at the same time.
3. French Lentils: These are my last choice because of the texture. They're kind of on the crunchy side, and I find that they don't blend in as much. I'd say that if you want to use French lentils, you'd be better off with a brothy soup (not thick like this one).

How to Make Moroccan Lentil Soup (3 Ways)

Now let's chat soup, specifically how to make it. I'm sure you already know how to actually make soup, but I thought it might be helpful to break down the three ways I personally like to make soup. You can also use these three methods for making this Moroccan lentil soup:

Stove Top

This method is what you'll find below. It's quick, and it allows you to build the flavor as you cook. I personally usually make soup this way because I'm not a great planner, and it's easy. I use my Le Creuset Dutch Oven for this.

Slow Cooker

You could also totally make this detox lentil soup in the slow cooker as well. Just add all the ingredients into your slow cooker, stir them together, and let it cook. It should cook for 4 – 6 hours on low, 3 – 4 on high. Here's the slow cooker I have at home.

Instant Pot

I'll be honest and say that I haven't nailed the Instant Pot yet, but I do love using it to make soup. For this recipe, I'd say start with the saute setting to cook your veggies and then add the rest of the ingredients in. Cook it on high for about 10 minutes and let the pressure release naturally for 10 minutes. I have the 6-quart Instant Pot and love it!

Meal Prep This Soup

Moroccan lentil soup is a great vegan meal prep option. This recipe makes six servings, so you can make it on a Sunday, serve it for dinner (with a small side salad), and then have a few portions leftover for lunches for the week.

If you are planning to meal prep this recipe, I'd recommend storing the portions individually with all the toppings. Since you'll be heating it up, the coconut yogurt will melt into the soup, which will actually be so delicious.

Here are the best meal prep containers for soup:

• Oven Safe Glass Lock Container Set (this is a great deal, and the round ones are perfect for soup)
• Divided Glass Lunch Containers

The bottom line when choosing containers, make sure you're using glass so that you can heat it up without worrying about plastic!

Topping Ideas for Moroccan Lentil Soup

And finally, before you dive into this amazing soup, let's talk toppings! Toppings for me are a must, and I love having some fun with them. I try to make it colorful, I try to have something spicy, and I always do something cooling as well.

Here's what I love to top my lentil soup with:

• Coconut yogurt or vegan sour cream: this adds some tang, some creaminess, and also cools the soup down a bit so you can dive right in!
• Chopped jalapeños: these add some crunch and some spice! Another option here would be red pepper flakes.
• Chopped red onion: I partly use these for color, but also for a little bite.
• Fresh herbs: you can never go wrong with herbs! They brighten up a dish, add a nice pop of color, and really do help with the freshness element. For this soup, I'd recommend parsley or cilantro!

How to Store Moroccan Lentil Soup

• Refrigerate. This lentil soup makes great leftovers. You can either keep it in the fridge for 4 – 5 days and reheat it as you want, or you could freeze it.
• Reheat. Warm up the soup in the microwave or in a saucepan on the stovetop, stirring often so that it heats through evenly.
• Freeze. The best way to freeze soup is to store it in the size servings you plan to eat. If you want a meal for two, freeze two portions. Just for one lunch? Freeze just one. That way, you'll only end up thawing what you need.

And that's pretty much it! Now you're ready to dig in and enjoy your Moroccan Lentil Soup! I can't wait to hear what you think ❤️

More Cozy Vegan Soup Recipes

• Lentil Curry
• Vegetable Stew
• Red Lentil Soup
• One-Pot Vegetable Chickpea Curry
• Ginger & Turmeric Carrot Soup