Soups & Stews

Get ready for a culinary adventure with this tantalizing Beef Lentil Soup! Packed with succulent beef, nutrient-rich veggies, and hearty lentils, this soup is sure to satisfy your hunger and tantalize your taste buds. The seasoning is inspired by the bold flavors of Middle Eastern beef shawarma, with a blend of cinnamon, cumin, cardamom, and paprika. 

We love adding lentils to soup recipes; try our original vegetarian Lentil Soup recipe or our favorite Curry Lentil Soup next. 

Overhead image of the Beef Lentil Soup

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Try out this Beef and Lentil Soup recipe, which is part of our collection of favorite soup recipes. Click here to see all the recipes in the collection.

Beef Lentil Soup

Get ready to tantalize your taste buds with this amazing Beef Lentil Soup! As a fan of Middle Eastern cuisine, I just had to create a hearty, nutritious, and mouthwatering soup that captured all of my favorite flavors during soup month!

And let me tell you, this recipe delivers! Not only is it quick and easy to prepare, but it’s loaded with flavor thanks to a robust seasoning blend. Plus, it’s full of satiating ingredients that will keep you feeling full and satisfied for hours. 

VARIATIONS

  • Replace carrot with diced sweet potatoes or butternut squash (cut ’em small so they’ll cook in time!).
  • Mix in some diced greens, such as kale or spinach, towards the end of the cooking time for a boost of color and nutrition.
  • Swap the seasonings! Not sure about the flavor profile on this Beef Lentil Soup? Replace the seasoning blend with this Taco Seasoning. Leave out the carrots and mix through drained and rinsed black beans at the end.
  • For more spice, add a sprinkle of red pepper flakes to individual soup bowls or some ground cayenne pepper to the soup (starting with 1/4 teaspoon).

Process shots-- images of the oil, onion, ground beef, seasonings, tomato paste, and garlic all being sautéed in a pot

Beef Lentil Soup FAQs

1What flavors are in shawarma?

Beef shawarma is typically seasoned with a blend of spices that may include cumin, coriander, paprika, cinnamon, and garlic. Shawarma spices vary depending on the region (and the cook), so the exact blend of spices used in a recipe may vary. Some variations may also include black pepper, cardamom, turmeric, or clove.

In this Beef Lentil Soup recipe, we’ve included a blend of aromatic and flavorful spices, including garlic, cumin, coriander, paprika, cardamom, cinnamon, and a hint of red pepper flakes for a little bit of heat. This combination creates a well-rounded and delicious flavor profile.

2What type of lentils are used in Beef Lentil Soup?

In Beef Lentil Soup, we use dried brown  lentils.

There are four main categories of lentils: brown, green, red/yellow, and specialty. Additionally, you can purchase lentils in dried or canned form. Each variety cooks and tastes a little different, so if a recipe specifies a type of lentil, be sure to follow those directions for best results.

3Are lentils a type of dried bean?

Lentils and beans are all legumes. Lentils add a great high-fiber and high-protein element to many meals, just like beans do. Lentils are smaller and thinner, so they cook much more quickly than dried beans and do not have to be soaked before cooking.

Legumes like lentils and dried beans are versatile and inexpensive, which makes them an easily accessible way to get high-quality protein.

4Can you eat lentils and meat together?

If you’re looking to mix up your protein sources and add some extra nutrition to your meals, lentils are a great option to consider. Not only are they delicious and versatile, but they also pack a punch when it comes to nutrients. High in protein, fiber, and complex carbohydrates, lentils are also low in fat and calories.

But can you eat lentils and meat together? The answer is a resounding yes! In fact, many dishes feature a combination of lentils and meat, as they make for a winning pair. Not only do lentils taste great with meat, but they also bring a host of additional nutrients to the table. They’re a good source of folate, iron, manganese, and potassium, among other things. Combining lentils and beef can create a dish that is even more nutritious than either ingredient on its own.

5What meat goes with lentils?

Lentils are a tasty and nutritious addition to many meat-based dishes. They can be paired with beef, lamb, pork, and sausage for a winning combination of protein and fiber.

This particular recipe features ground beef, but ground lamb is another great option. The lentils add a hearty, satisfying texture to the soup, while the beef or lamb adds flavor and protein.

6Does lentil soup have meat?

This particular lentil soup recipe does have meat. If you’d prefer a vegetarian version, try this Lentil Soup recipe instead.

Process shots of Beef Lentil Soup-- images of the tomatoes, carrots, and lentils being added to the pot

STORAGE

Storage

To store Beef Lentil Soup, allow it to cool completely and transfer it to an airtight container. You can also portion the soup into individual servings and store them in separate containers for easier reheating. This tasty soup can be stored in the refrigerator for three to four days, or in the freezer for up to three months.

To freeze the soup, allow it to cool completely and transfer it to a freezer-safe container, leaving about an inch of space at the top to allow for expansion. When you’re ready to eat the soup, thaw it in the refrigerator overnight and then reheat it on the stove or in the microwave until it’s fully heated through.

Up close overhead image of the Beef Lentil Soup ready to be enjoyed

What To Serve With Beef Lentil Soup

Beef Lentil Soup is a hearty and flavorful dish that pairs well with a variety of sides. Some good options include:

  • an appetizer of Hummus with pita chips.
  • Tabouli (Tabbouleh), a fresh and vibrant Middle Eastern salad 
  • more veggies on the side like these Roasted Vegetables
  • a dish of cooked grains, such as rice or quinoa
  • a dollop of yogurt on top of the soup (see “quick tip” below)

QUICK TIP

Adding an herbed yogurt sauce to this soup is a great way to enhance the flavor and add a creamy element to the dish. It’s very simple to make and really elevates the overall taste of the soup. Make it by simply combining 1/2 cup full-fat, plain Greek yogurt, 2 tbsp finely chopped fresh mint or parsley, 1-1/2 tbsp fresh lemon juice, 1-1/2 tbsp olive oil, 1/2 tsp minced garlic, and 1/4 teaspoon each: cumin, coriander, and fine sea salt. Stir and let sit in the fridge (to get more flavorful!) until ready to serve.

Overhead image of the dinner ready to be enjoyed

Use Leftover Lentils In One Of These Recipes:

Beef Lentil Soup

Get ready for a culinary adventure with this tantalizing Beef Lentil Soup! Packed with succulent beef, nutrient-rich veggies, and hearty lentils, this soup is sure to satisfy your hunger and tantalize your taste buds. The seasoning is inspired by the bold flavors of Middle Eastern beef shawarma, with a blend of cinnamon, cumin, cardamom, and paprika. 

Beef Lentil Soup

Get ready for a culinary adventure with this tantalizing Beef Lentil Soup! Packed with succulent beef, nutrient-rich veggies, and hearty lentils, this soup is sure to satisfy your hunger and tantalize your taste buds. The seasoning is inspired by the bold flavors of Middle Eastern beef shawarma, with a blend of cinnamon, cumin, cardamom, and paprika. 

Instructions

  • ONION: Heat oil in a large pot over high heat. Add the onions and cook, stirring frequently, for 3-4 minutes or until they turn translucent.

  • BEEF: Press the onions to the side of the pot and add the ground beef to the center. Let it sear several minutes and then cook and break it apart with a wooden spoon. When it is mostly cooked through, add the seasonings, tomato paste, and garlic. Season to taste with salt and pepper (we add 1-1/4 tsp salt & 1/2 tsp pepper). Sauté, stirring constantly, for 3-4 minutes or until the tomato paste begins to darken and everything smells deeply fragrant.

  • SIMMER: Next, add the carrots, rinsed lentils, crushed tomatoes, and broth to the pot. Stir and bring to a boil. As soon as it boils, reduce the heat to medium low to simmer gently. Cover pot with a lid. The lentils should take 20-25 minutes to cook until they are soft, but older lentils may take 5-10 extra minutes. While the soup is simmering, you can prepare the yogurt sauce if you are using it (See Note 2).

  • FINISH: When the lentils are soft, remove the lid and stir. Add the juice of a lemon and finely chopped parsley, if using. Taste and adjust the salt, pepper, and spiciness (red pepper flakes) to taste. If you want more liquid, you can add a splash more broth.

  • ENJOY: To serve, ladle the soup into bowls and add a dollop of mint-yogurt sauce on top. Enjoy!

Recipe Notes

Note 1: Lentils: Use dried green or brown lentils for this soup. There is no need to soak the lentils before adding. This recipe, timing-wise and flavor-wise, relies on brown/green lentils so I don’t recommend using a different type. Red/orange lentils are more processed, break down quicker and thicken the soup quite a bit. I do not recommend using French lentils; they won’t cook correctly.
Note 2: Herbed yogurt sauce: This is an optional (but delicious!) topping for this soup. In a small bowl stir together the following: 1/2 cup full-fat, plain Greek yogurt, 2 tbsp finely chopped fresh mint or parsley, 1-1/2 tbsp fresh lemon juice, 1-1/2 tbsp olive oil, 1/2 tsp minced garlic, and 1/4 teaspoon each: cumin, coriander, and fine sea salt. Stir and let sit in the fridge (to get more flavorful!) until ready to serve.
making yogurt-mint sauce

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 448kcal | Carbohydrates: 43g | Protein: 38g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 8g | Trans Fat: 0.4g | Cholesterol: 75mg | Sodium: 1180mg | Potassium: 1445mg | Fiber: 16g | Sugar: 12g | Vitamin A: 8436IU | Vitamin C: 21mg | Calcium: 114mg | Iron: 8mg

We do our best to provide accurate nutritional analysis for our recipes. Our nutritional data is calculated using a third-party algorithm and may vary, based on individual cooking styles, measurements, and ingredient sizes. Please use this information for comparison purposes and consult a health professional for nutrition guidance as needed.