12 Best Turkish Soup Recipes

Red Lentil Soup (Mercimek Çorbası)

A staple in Turkish cuisine, Red Lentil Soup is both comforting and nutritious, perfect for any season.

Ingredients

• 1 cup red lentils
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 carrot, chopped
• 1 potato, chopped
• 1 tablespoon tomato paste
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 6 cups vegetable broth
• 2 tablespoons olive oil

Cooking method

1. In a large pot, heat the olive oil and sauté the onions until translucent.
2. Add the carrots and potatoes, and cook for a few more minutes.
3. Stir in the tomato paste and cumin.
4. Add the lentils and broth, and bring to a boil.
5. Reduce the heat and let it simmer for 30 minutes.
6. Blend until smooth, season with salt and pepper, and serve hot.

Turkish Yogurt Soup (Yayla Çorbası)

This creamy yogurt-based soup is a Turkish classic, known for its tangy flavor and rich texture.

Ingredients

• 1 cup plain yogurt
• 1 egg yolk
• 2 tablespoons flour
• 4 cups water or broth
• 1/2 cup rice
• 1 tablespoon dried mint
• Salt to taste

Cooking method

1. In a bowl, whisk together the yogurt, egg yolk, and flour until smooth.
2. In a pot, bring the water to a boil, then add the rice and cook until tender.
3. Temper the yogurt mixture with a bit of hot water, then slowly add it to the pot, stirring constantly.
4. Reduce heat and let it simmer for 10 minutes.
5. Add salt and dried mint, stir well, and serve warm.

Turkish Wedding Soup (Düğün Çorbası)

Traditionally served at weddings, this lamb-based soup is hearty and full of flavor.

Ingredients

• 500g lamb, cut into chunks
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1/2 cup rice
• 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 6 cups water
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking method

1. In a pot, boil the lamb pieces in water until tender.
2. Remove the lamb and shred it, set aside.
3. In a pan, melt the butter, add flour and cook until golden brown.
4. Gradually add broth from the lamb, stirring continuously to avoid lumps.
5. Add the rice and shredded lamb to the pot and cook until the rice is done.
6. Season with salt and pepper, and serve hot.

Ezogelin Soup

Named after a famous Turkish bride, this soup is a delicious blend of lentils and bulgur.

Ingredients

• 1 cup red lentils
• 1/2 cup fine bulgur
• 1 tablespoon tomato paste
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 6 cups water or broth
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking method

1. Heat butter in a pot, sauté onions until soft.
2. Stir in tomato paste and red pepper flakes.
3. Add lentils, bulgur, and water to the pot.
4. Boil, then lower the heat and let it simmer until everything is cooked.
5. Season with salt and pepper before serving.

Tarhana Soup

A unique fermented soup, Tarhana is popular for its tangy taste and nutritional benefits.

Ingredients

• 1 cup tarhana
• 6 cups water or broth
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 tablespoon tomato paste
• Salt to taste

Cooking method

1. In a pot, melt the butter and add the tomato paste, cooking for a few minutes.
2. Add water and bring it to a boil.
3. Gradually sprinkle tarhana into the boiling water, stirring constantly.
4. Reduce the heat and simmer for about 15 minutes.
5. Season with salt and serve hot.

Chicken and Orzo Soup

A nourishing soup combining tender chicken and delightful orzo pasta.

Ingredients

• 2 chicken breasts, diced
• 1 cup orzo pasta
• 1 carrot, chopped
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 celery stalk, chopped
• 6 cups chicken broth
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking method

1. In a pot, sauté the onion, carrot, and celery until soft.
2. Add diced chicken and cook until browned.
3. Pour in the chicken broth and bring to a boil.
4. Stir in orzo pasta and let it cook for 10 minutes.
5. Season with salt and pepper before serving.

Spinach Soup (Ispanak Çorbası)

A vibrant green soup, packed with the healthy goodness of spinach.

Ingredients

• 500g fresh spinach, chopped
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 potato, diced
• 4 cups vegetable broth
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking method

1. Heat olive oil in a pot, sauté onion and garlic until fragrant.
2. Add diced potato and stir for a few minutes.
3. Pour in the vegetable broth, bring to a boil, and let it simmer.
4. Add spinach and cook until wilted.
5. Blend until smooth, season with salt and pepper, and serve warm.

Mushroom Soup (Mantar Çorbası)

A simple yet flavorful soup that highlights the earthy taste of mushrooms.

Ingredients

• 500g mushrooms, sliced
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 cup cream
• 4 cups chicken or vegetable broth
• 2 tablespoons butter
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking method

1. In a pot, melt butter and sauté onion and garlic until soft.
2. Add mushrooms and cook until golden brown.
3. Pour in the broth and bring to a boil.
4. Reduce heat and add cream, stirring well.
5. Season with salt and pepper before serving.

Tomato Soup (Domates Çorbası)

A timeless classic, this tomato soup is rich and comforting.

Ingredients

• 5 ripe tomatoes, chopped
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tablespoon tomato paste
• 4 cups vegetable broth
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking method

1. Heat olive oil in a pot, sauté onion and garlic until soft.
2. Add chopped tomatoes and tomato paste, cook for 5 minutes.
3. Pour in the broth and bring to a boil.
4. Reduce heat, simmer for 20 minutes, then blend until smooth.
5. Season with salt and pepper before serving.

Lentil and Spinach Soup

A wholesome and hearty soup, combining the goodness of lentils and spinach.

Ingredients

• 1 cup green lentils
• 2 cups fresh spinach, chopped
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 carrot, diced
• 6 cups vegetable broth
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking method

1. In a pot, sauté onion and garlic until fragrant.
2. Add carrot and cook for a few more minutes.
3. Stir in lentils and broth, bring to a boil.
4. Reduce heat and simmer until lentils are tender.
5. Stir in spinach, cook until wilted, and season with salt and pepper before serving.