GreekEasy · Hot
Fakes Lemon-Dill Lentil Soup
Humble lentils, slowly coaxed with garlic and a generous hand of olive oil, become something quietly magnificent when finished with fresh lemon and dill. This is the soup Greek grandmothers have made for centuries without once consulting a recipe, and there's wisdom in that confidence. The brightness of the lemon at the end is not optional — it's the whole philosophy.
Prep
15 min
Cook
35 min
Total
50 min
Method
Prepare the Base
1
Rinse the lentils under cold water and pick out any debris. Set aside.
2
Dice the yellow onion, mince the garlic, and dice the carrots. Roughly chop the tomato.
Build the Soup
3
5
Add the chopped tomato and stir to combine.
6
Add the rinsed lentils and pour in the 6 cups of water. Season with salt and black pepper.
Finish and Serve
8
Remove from heat. Juice both lemons and stir the fresh lemon juice into the soup.
9
Roughly chop the fresh dill and fold it into the soup.
10
Ladle into bowls and finish each serving with a generous drizzle of olive oil and a sprinkle of fresh dill.
A
Nutri-Score
Excellent balance
A–E · lower is better · score -8
Calories
470
per serving
High in protein · 25gLow sugar · 6gLow saturated fat · 2g
Protein
25g
Carbs
72g
Fat
12g
Sat. fat
2g
Fiber
8g
Sugar
6g
Sodium
1144mg
Plant BasedDairy FreeEgg FreeGluten FreeMediterraneanHeart HealthyAnti InflammatoryDiabetes FriendlyWeight ManagementHigh FiberHigh ProteinPlant Forward
Nutri-Score is a general nutritional-balance guide, not medical or dietary advice.
A
Environmental impact
Very low impact
A–E · lower is better · includes estimates
kg CO2e
0.3
per serving
ACarbonAEU all-round· both agree
Water
1.0m³
Land
20Pt
Runoff
0.04g P
Lentils drives 40% of this recipe’s estimated footprint.
Carbon from Poore & Nemecek 2018; water, land & runoff from Agribalyse — modelled averages for comparing recipes, not a measurement of your groceries.
Flavor Profile
5
Umami
3
Sweet
4
Salty
6
Sour
2
Bitter
3
Spicy
Textures
TenderSilkySmooth
Aromas
HerbalBrightEarthySavory
Kitchen Equipment
Primary Tool
StockpotCounter FootprintMedium
Safety & Storage
Cooking Temperature
Bring lentil soup to a rolling boil and maintain simmer for at least 25-30 minutes until lentils are tender. Ensure the soup reaches an internal temperature of at least 165°F (74°C) to eliminate any potential bacteria.
Cross Contamination
Rinse lentils thoroughly under cold running water and pick through to remove any debris or small stones before adding to the pot. Use separate cutting boards for vegetables and any raw proteins if prepared in the same kitchen.
Storage
Cool soup to room temperature within 2 hours, then transfer to airtight containers and refrigerate. Consume within 3-4 days or freeze for up to 3 months. Reheat frozen soup thoroughly before serving.
Handling
Add lemon juice and fresh dill after cooking, as excessive heat can degrade the bright flavors and delicate nutrients. Store fresh dill wrapped in damp paper towels in the refrigerator and use within 2-3 days for optimal freshness.
Pro Tips
Technique
Never cook the lemon juice — add it at the end, off the heat. Heat kills the brightness, and you want that sunshine flavor alive in every spoonful. The olive oil goes on last too, pooled on top like a golden crown — it's not decoration, it's the soul of the soup.
Substitution
If you cannot find fresh dill, a good pinch of dried oregano works in a pinch. Greeks have been making do for centuries, and the lemon and oil carry the dish no matter what.
Equipment
Use a heavy-bottomed pot so the heat distributes evenly and the lentils cook at the same rate — nobody likes half-mushy, half-crunchy soup.
From the chef
Ah, fakes! This is the soup my grandmother made when we needed something honest and warming. No fancy business here — just lentils, good olive oil, lemon, and dill. When I squeeze that lemon and drizzle the oil at the end, it transforms into something that tastes like Naxos in a bowl. Simple food done right will always beat complicated nonsense.
TagsGreekLentil SoupMediterraneanHealthyEasyOne PotLemonOlive OilDillVegetarian
AllergensMilkDairyCasein
Source: generated · May 30, 2026