Indian Soup Recipes Vegetarian: Easy & Delicious Ideas

Indian cuisine is renowned for its vibrant flavors, diverse spices, and wholesome ingredients, and this richness extends beautifully to its vegetarian soups. Whether you are craving something light and comforting or a hearty bowl filled with vegetables and lentils, Indian vegetarian soups offer a perfect balance of taste and nutrition.

These recipes are not only easy to prepare but also bursting with traditional spices like cumin, coriander, turmeric, and garam masala, which provide warmth and depth to the dish.

In this post, we’ll explore some delightful Indian vegetarian soup recipes that are perfect for any season. From the tangy tomato rasam to the creamy lentil dal soup, these recipes celebrate the best of Indian flavors while keeping it fully plant-based.

If you’re looking to expand your culinary repertoire or simply enjoy a nourishing bowl, these recipes are sure to become your go-to favorites.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Indian vegetarian soups are a wonderful way to enjoy a healthy meal that’s both flavorful and comforting. These soups typically combine fresh vegetables, lentils, and aromatic spices that not only tantalize your taste buds but also offer various health benefits.

They are naturally gluten-free, vegan, and packed with protein and fiber.

Moreover, these soups are versatile and easy to customize based on what you have in your pantry or fridge. Whether you want something spicy, mild, or tangy, these recipes can be adjusted to suit your preferences.

They make excellent starters or even a light main course, especially when paired with warm, soft Indian bread or rice.

Ingredients

• Toor dal (split pigeon peas) – 1 cup
• Tomatoes – 2 medium, chopped
• Onion – 1 medium, finely chopped
• Garlic cloves – 3, minced
• Ginger – 1 inch piece, grated
• Green chili – 1, slit (optional)
• Mustard seeds – 1 tsp
• Cumin seeds – 1 tsp
• Turmeric powder – ½ tsp
• Coriander powder – 1 tsp
• Garam masala – ½ tsp
• Asafoetida (hing) – a pinch
• Fresh curry leaves – 8-10
• Fresh cilantro (coriander leaves) – handful, chopped
• Lemon juice – 1 tbsp
• Salt – to taste
• Water – 4 cups
• Cooking oil or ghee – 2 tbsp

Equipment

• Medium-sized pot or pressure cooker
• Stirring spoon
• Knife and chopping board
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Blender or hand masher (optional)
• Serving bowls

Instructions

1. Wash and soak toor dal: Rinse the toor dal under running water until the water runs clear. Soak it for 15-20 minutes for faster cooking.
2. Cook the dal: In a medium pot or pressure cooker, add the soaked dal, chopped tomatoes, turmeric powder, and 3 cups of water. Cook until the dal is soft and mushy. If using a pressure cooker, cook for about 3-4 whistles. Alternatively, simmer for 30-40 minutes on the stovetop.
3. Prepare the tempering: Heat oil or ghee in a small pan over medium heat. Add mustard seeds and cumin seeds. When they start to crackle, add asafoetida, curry leaves, minced garlic, grated ginger, and green chili. Sauté until fragrant and golden.
4. Add onions and spices: Add the chopped onions and sauté until translucent. Sprinkle coriander powder and garam masala, stirring well to combine all the flavors.
5. Combine and simmer: Pour the tempering mixture into the cooked dal. Add salt to taste and 1 cup of water to adjust the consistency. Bring the soup to a gentle simmer for 5-10 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together.
6. Finish with fresh herbs and lemon: Turn off the heat and stir in freshly chopped cilantro and lemon juice. This adds a bright, fresh note to the soup.
7. Serve hot: Ladle the soup into bowls and enjoy it with steamed rice or warm Indian bread like chapati or naan.

Tips & Variations

Tip: For a smoother texture, you can blend the soup partially or fully with a hand blender before adding the tempering.

Variation: Try adding vegetables like carrots, spinach, or bottle gourd to make it more wholesome and colorful.

Spice it up: Adjust the green chili quantity or add a pinch of red chili powder for extra heat.

Try other lentils: Moong dal or masoor dal can be substituted for toor dal for a slightly different flavor and texture.

Nutrition Facts

Serving Suggestions

Indian vegetarian soups are wonderfully versatile. Serve this dal soup alongside steamed basmati rice or quinoa for a filling meal.

Pair it with freshly made chapati or naan bread to scoop up the delicious broth. For a cooling contrast, serve with a side of cucumber raita or a simple salad.

For a complete Indian meal experience, you could explore other dishes like Instant Pot Vegetarian Recipes Indian Food Lovers Adore or try some warm Indian breads from Vegan Bread Machine Recipe for Soft, Delicious Loaves.

If you’re in the mood for a sweet finish, don’t miss the Vegetarian Date Cake Recipe: Moist, Easy, and Delicious.

More Indian Vegetarian Soup Recipes to Try

Tomato Rasam

Rasam is a tangy, spiced South Indian soup made with tomatoes, tamarind, and a blend of spices. It’s light yet flavorful and is perfect as a digestive aid after meals or as a warming broth when you’re feeling under the weather.

Ingredients

• Tamarind paste – 1 tbsp
• Ripe tomatoes – 3 large, chopped
• Garlic – 4 cloves, crushed
• Mustard seeds – 1 tsp
• Cumin seeds – 1 tsp
• Black pepper – 1 tsp
• Dried red chilies – 2
• Curry leaves – 8 leaves
• Asafoetida – a pinch
• Fresh coriander – for garnish
• Salt – to taste
• Water – 4 cups
• Oil – 2 tbsp

Instructions

1. Soak tamarind paste in ½ cup warm water for 10 minutes and extract the juice.
2. Boil chopped tomatoes with garlic and tamarind water for 10 minutes until soft.
3. Blend the boiled mixture if you want a smooth rasam or leave it chunky.
4. Add salt and water to adjust consistency, bring to a boil.
5. In a separate pan, heat oil and add mustard seeds, cumin seeds, black pepper, dried chilies, curry leaves, and asafoetida for tempering.
6. Pour tempering over the rasam and garnish with fresh coriander before serving.

Vegetable Mulligatawny Soup

A British-Indian fusion, the vegetable mulligatawny soup is creamy, spicy, and filled with vegetables and lentils. It’s a hearty option perfect for colder days.

Ingredients

• Red lentils – ½ cup
• Carrot – 1 large, diced
• Celery stalks – 2, chopped
• Onion – 1 medium, chopped
• Apple – 1 small, peeled and chopped
• Garlic – 2 cloves, minced
• Curry powder – 1 tbsp
• Coconut milk – 1 cup
• Vegetable broth – 4 cups
• Oil – 2 tbsp
• Salt and pepper – to taste

Instructions

1. Heat oil in a pot and sauté onions, garlic, celery, and carrot until softened.
2. Add curry powder and cook for a minute to release aroma.
3. Add red lentils, chopped apple, and vegetable broth.
4. Simmer for 30 minutes or until lentils and vegetables are tender.
5. Stir in coconut milk and season with salt and pepper.
6. Use a blender to partially puree for a creamy texture, leaving some chunks for bite.
7. Serve hot garnished with fresh herbs.

Spinach and Lentil Soup

This nutritious soup combines the goodness of spinach and lentils with traditional Indian spices for a delicious, healthful meal.

Ingredients

• Moong dal (yellow lentils) – 1 cup
• Fresh spinach – 3 cups, chopped
• Onion – 1 medium, chopped
• Garlic – 3 cloves, minced
• Ginger – 1 inch piece, grated
• Cumin seeds – 1 tsp
• Turmeric powder – ½ tsp
• Chili powder – ¼ tsp (optional)
• Salt – to taste
• Water or vegetable broth – 4 cups
• Oil or ghee – 2 tbsp

Instructions

1. Rinse and soak moong dal for 15 minutes.
2. Heat oil in a pot and add cumin seeds until they sizzle.
3. Add onions, garlic, and ginger; sauté until onions are translucent.
4. Add turmeric, chili powder, soaked lentils, and water or broth.
5. Cook for 20-25 minutes until lentils are tender.
6. Add chopped spinach and cook for another 5 minutes until wilted.
7. Season with salt and serve warm.

Conclusion

Indian vegetarian soups are a treasure trove of flavors and nutrition, perfect for anyone seeking wholesome, plant-based meals. These soups showcase the beauty of Indian spices and ingredients in simple yet delicious preparations.

Whether you prefer the tangy zest of tomato rasam, the creamy richness of mulligatawny, or the earthy goodness of spinach and lentil soup, there’s something here to satisfy every palate.

Not only are these recipes easy to prepare, but they also offer incredible health benefits, making them an excellent addition to your weekly meal plan. So next time you want to enjoy a warm, comforting bowl full of flavor and goodness, try these Indian vegetarian soups.

And don’t forget to explore other delightful recipes like Low Calorie Vegetable Soup Recipe for Healthy Eating or Vegetarian Swiss Chard Recipes for Healthy Meals to keep your menu exciting and nutritious!

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