Start by heating the olive oil in a large pot over high heat. Once the oil is shimmering, add the onions and cook, stirring frequently, for about 3 to 4 minutes. You want them to turn translucent and fragrant, which will set the stage for the rest of the soup.
Next, press the onions to the side of the pot and add the ground beef to the center. Allow it to sear for several minutes without stirring; this will create a lovely crust. After a bit, begin breaking it apart with a wooden spoon as it cooks through. Keep an eye on it until it’s mostly browned.
Once the beef is cooked through, it’s time to add all the wonderful spices. Sprinkle in the ground cumin, ground coriander, paprika, ground cardamom, red pepper flakes, ground cinnamon, salt, and pepper. Stir everything together, ensuring the beef is fully coated with the spices. Sauté for another 3 to 4 minutes until the tomato paste darkens and becomes fragrant.
After the spices have melded, add the minced garlic and stir it in for about a minute. This will fill your kitchen with an incredible aroma!
Now, it’s time to add the chopped carrots, rinsed lentils, crushed tomatoes, and chicken broth. Stir everything together to combine. Bring the mixture to a boil over high heat.
As soon as it starts to boil, reduce the heat to medium-low. Cover the pot with a lid, allowing the soup to simmer gently. The lentils will take about 20 to 25 minutes to cook until they are soft. Keep in mind that older lentils might need an extra 5 to 10 minutes.
While the soup is simmering, you can prepare the optional mint yogurt sauce. In a small bowl, combine Greek yogurt, finely chopped mint or parsley, lemon juice, olive oil, minced garlic, and a pinch of cumin and coriander. Mix well and refrigerate until serving.
Once the lentils are soft, remove the lid and give the soup a good stir. At this point, you might want to add the juice of the lemon and some finely chopped parsley for freshness. Taste it and adjust the salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes as needed.
If you prefer a soup with more liquid, feel free to add a splash more broth to reach your desired consistency.
To serve, ladle the Beef Lentil Soup into bowls and top with a generous dollop of the mint yogurt sauce. Enjoy every comforting bite!
