Worth The Hunt
The Recipe · No.1182 · Mercimek Corbasi (Turkish Red Lentil Soup)

Mercimek Corbasi (Turkish Red Lentil Soup), and where to source it

Mercimek Corbasi (Turkish Red Lentil Soup) — Worth The Hunt WORTH THE HUNT Mercimek Corbasi (Turkish Red Lentil Soup) Turkish 5best2buy.com

Blend the soup completely smooth after cooking and then finish it with a mint-and-pepper butter poured on at serving, because that sizzling red butter is the signature that plain lentil puree lacks.

By Vince Gonzalez · Published July 2026 · Sourcing verified 5 Jul 2026

Prep15 min
Cook35 min
Makesserves 4 to 6
CuisineTurkish
Cost$
VegetarianGluten-free
Contains  dairy
Make it vegan: use plant milk, oil, or a vegan cheese for the dairy.
The Ingredients — and where to get them
Cook for 4 to
red lentils
1.5 cups
300 g
Local / market
onion
1
1
Source it →
carrot
1
1
Local / market
potato, small
1
1
Local / market
butter
3 tbsp
42 g
Source it →
dried mint
1 tbsp
3 g
Source it →
Aleppo pepper
1 tbsp
6 g
Local / market
lemon, to serve
1
1
Local / market
The Rundown
Greedometer ●●●●● Barely a splurge
A light hand — your arteries say thanks.
EffortSome doing
Cook it with
Instant PotSlow cookerOne-pot
The Method
  1. Sweat the chopped onion and carrot in a little butter until soft.8 min
  2. Add the rinsed lentils, diced potato and water, and simmer until everything is falling apart.25 min
  3. Blend the soup completely smooth with a stick blender, thinning with water to a pourable body.5 min
  4. Melt the remaining butter, stir in dried mint and Aleppo pepper off heat until it turns red.3 min
  5. Ladle the soup, swirl the pepper butter on top, and serve with lemon wedges.3 min
The Toolkit

soup pot · immersion blender · small saucepan

Straight Answers
Can you make Mercimek Corbasi (Turkish Red Lentil Soup) in an air fryer? — Yes, with an insert

Not on its own — an air fryer can’t hold a pool of liquid. You can simmer it in an oven-safe dish or a silicone insert made to fit the basket, but the broth won’t reduce or brown the way it does on the stove, and that insert comes out scorching, so use oven mitts. For real depth, a pot on the stove wins.

Can you freeze Mercimek Corbasi (Turkish Red Lentil Soup)? — Yes

Yes — it freezes well. Cool it fully, portion into airtight containers, and it keeps a few months; thaw in the fridge and reheat gently.

Can you make Mercimek Corbasi (Turkish Red Lentil Soup) ahead of time? — Yes

Yes — it holds well and often tastes better the next day. Make it ahead and reheat gently before serving.

Is Mercimek Corbasi (Turkish Red Lentil Soup) gluten-free? — Yes

Yes — nothing in this recipe as written contains gluten. As always, glance at the labels on any packaged items (broth, sauces, chocolate), since brands vary.

Is Mercimek Corbasi (Turkish Red Lentil Soup) vegan? — Vegetarian, not vegan

It’s vegetarian but not vegan as written — it has dairy. Make it vegan: use plant milk, oil, or a vegan cheese for the dairy.

Community Notes

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© 2026 5best2buy · Worth The Hunt · Recipe No.1182