Spicy Red Lentil Soup for Under $5 a Serve

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 Soup 

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:

• 1 2/3 cups McKenzie’s Australian Red Split Lentils
• 1/2 cup McKenzie’s Australian Pearl Barley
• 4 garlic cloves
• 2 tbs tomato paste
• 4 tsp McKenzie’s Fine Desiccated Coconut
• 4 tbs 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:

1. Before cooking, follow on-pack instructions to rinse and pick over uncooked lentils & barley.
2. In a food processor, mince garlic, tomato paste, coconut, curry powder, cumin, mustard and coriander seeds to make a paste.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. Stir in coconut cream, divide between bowls and top with coriander.

WINTER SOUP RECIPES TIP: Freeze soup in large ice cube trays like these budget-friendly Kmart Giant Ice Cube Trays 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

Pumpkin, turmeric and coconut soup

Loaded with delicious pumpkin and immunity-boosting turmeric, this pumpkin, turmeric and coconut soup recipe is SO good!

Easy pea(sy) and bacon soup

Forget split peas, this easy pea and bacon soup recipe uses ACTUAL green peas – just look at that brilliant colour – perfect for Hulk fans. Topped with crispy bacon and crunchy croutons, amazing!

Chicken and coconut soup

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

Leek and potato soup 

A silky smooth and sweet leek and potato soup recipe should be in everyone’s soup repertoire. Be sure to give this one a go!

If you’re after more cost-effective recipes, you can download McKenzie’s new ebook, ‘Feed the family for less: Delicious crowd pleasers under $5 per serve’ here.