Super spicy and simply satisfying, you’ll love this recipe for a spicy red lentil soup from McKenzie’s Foods. Odds are you have most of the items needed in your pantry and what’s even better is you can dish up this hearty meal for under $5 a serve.
It’s a great option for Meat-Free meals and cold nights. Best paired with your favourite bread on the side and a pair of fuzzy slippers on your feet.
Enjoy!
One of the things we love about soups is that they can be an easy way to get kids to eat veggies. Spicy red lentil soup might be a tad too feisty for their little palettes but you can easily tone down the spice by adding less curry powder.
Spicy Red Lentil Soupย
This spicy red lentil soup recipe is for four people. It will take around 20 minutes to prep and 50 minutes to cook. You will also need a food processor (or a decent blender will do the trick too).
What you’ll need:
- 1ย 2/3ย cupsย McKenzie’s Australian Red Split Lentils
- 1/2ย cupย McKenzie’s Australian Pearl Barley
- 4 garlic cloves
- 2 tbs tomato paste
- 4 tspย McKenzie’s Fine Desiccated Coconut
- 4 tbsย Clive Of India Authentic Curry Powder
- 2 tsp cumin seeds
- 2 tsp mustard seeds
- 2 tsp coriander seeds
- 2 tbs canola oil
- 2 brown onions, chopped
- 2 litres vegetable stock
- 800g can diced tomatoes
- 160ml coconut cream
- 1 cup fresh coriander leaves, chopped
How to make it:
- Before cooking, follow on-pack instructions to rinse and pick over uncooked lentils & barley.
- In a food processor, mince garlic, tomato paste, coconut, curry powder, cumin, mustard and coriander seeds to make a paste.
- Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add onion. Cook, stirring, for 3 to 4 minutes or until softened. Add paste and cook for a minute.
- Stir in stock, tomatoes and barley. Cover and bring to boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 20 minutes. Add uncooked lentils and simmer, covered, for 25 minutes or until the barley is tender. Add water if soup appears too thick.
- Stir in coconut cream, divide between bowls and top with coriander.

WINTER SOUP RECIPES TIP:ย Freeze soup in large ice cube trays like these budget-friendlyย Kmart Giant Ice Cube Traysย for easy portion-appropriate defrosting. No need to defrost a litre of soup when you only need a cup! An excellent winter lunch meal planning idea, cook on the weekend and freeze for the week ahead. #SMART
More delicious soup options
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Loaded with delicious pumpkin and immunity-boosting turmeric, thisย pumpkin, turmeric and coconut soup recipe is SO good!

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Your house will smell amazing once you start cooking this dish, the fresh Thai-inspired aromas from thisย chicken and coconut soup recipeย will have you salivating! Not a fan of coriander? You can leave it out โ we wonโt judge!

Leek and potato soupย
A silky smooth and sweetย leek and potato soup recipeย should be in everyoneโs soup repertoire. Be sure to give this one a go!

If youโre after more cost-effective recipes, you can download McKenzieโs new ebook, โFeed the family for less: Delicious crowd pleasers under $5 per serveโ here.