Corba
Discover this authentic Turkish Corba recipe — a satisfying weeknight dish that's an impressive dish that showcases your cooking skills. Made with lentils, onion, carrots and 10 more fresh ingredients, this recipe guides you through 7 detailed steps to create a truly memorable meal. Ready in about 40 minutes from start to finish. Whether you're cooking for family, friends, or a special occasion, this turkish classic is sure to impress.
20
Prep Time (min)
30
Cook Time (min)
4
servings
250
Calories/serving
Hard
Difficulty
Ingredients
- 1 cup Lentils
- 1 large Onion
- 1 large Carrots
- 1 tbs Tomato Puree
- 2 tsp Cumin
- 1 tsp Paprika
- 1 tsp Mint
- 1 tsp Thyme
- 1 tsp Black Pepper
- 1 tsp Red Pepper Flakes
- 4 cups Vegetable Stock
- 1 cup Water
- Pinch Sea Salt
Instructions
7 steps · ~58 minutes total
Step 1
Pick through your lentils for any foreign debris, rinse them 2 or 3 times, drain, and set aside. Fair warning, this will probably turn your lentils into a solid block that you’ll have to break up later
10 minutesSave some of the cooking liquid — it can be used to adjust sauce consistency.Step 2
In a large pot over medium-high heat, sauté the olive oil and the onion with a pinch of salt for about 3 minutes, then add the carrots and cook for another 3 minutes.
8 minutesMake sure your pan is hot before adding oil — this prevents sticking.Step 3
Add the tomato paste and stir it around for around 1 minute. Now add the cumin, paprika, mint, thyme, black pepper, and red pepper as quickly as you can and stir for 10 seconds to bloom the spices. Congratulate yourself on how amazing your house now smells.
8 minutesTaste as you go and adjust seasoning gradually — you can always add more but can't take it away.Step 4
Immediately add the lentils, water, broth, and salt. Bring the soup to a (gentle) boil.
10 minutesUse a large pot to prevent boiling over. Add salt to the water for extra flavor.Step 5
After it has come to a boil, reduce heat to medium-low, cover the pot halfway, and cook for 15-20 minutes or until the lentils have fallen apart and the carrots are completely cooked.
10 minutesUse a large pot to prevent boiling over. Add salt to the water for extra flavor.Step 6
After the soup has cooked and the lentils are tender, blend the soup either in a blender or simply use a hand blender to reach the consistency you desire. Taste for seasoning and add more salt if necessary.
10 minutesTaste as you go and adjust seasoning gradually — you can always add more but can't take it away.Step 7
Serve with crushed-up crackers, torn up bread, or something else to add some extra thickness. You could also use a traditional thickener (like cornstarch or flour), but I prefer to add crackers for some texture and saltiness. Makes great leftovers, stays good in the fridge for about a week.
2 minutesTaste as you go and adjust seasoning gradually — you can always add more but can't take it away.
💡 Tips & Tricks
🔄 Variations
Storage & Reheating
Refrigerator
Up to 3 days in an airtight container
Freezer
Up to 2 months — thaw overnight in fridge
Reheat in a skillet or microwave until heated through.
What to Serve With
Complete your turkish meal with these perfect pairings:
About This Dish
Corba is a beloved dish from Turkish cuisine, originating in Turkey. With a total preparation time of about 50 minutes, it makes for a satisfying weeknight dinner.
Turkish cuisine is a fascinating blend of Central Asian, Middle Eastern, Mediterranean, and Balkan influences. It's considered one of the three great cuisines in the world alongside French and Chinese.
This recipe is rated hard difficulty and uses 13 ingredients. Experienced cooks will appreciate the technique involved.
Frequently Asked Questions
Corba is a traditional Turkish soup that typically includes ingredients like lentils, rice, vegetables, and spices. Common variations may use chickpeas or bulgur as well.
Rate This Recipe
How was this recipe?
Nutrition Facts
4 serving(s) per recipe
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Values are approximate and may vary based on ingredients used.
