Lemony Chickpea Soup Recipe

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Pamela
September 14, 2017
25 Comments

Categories: Recipes, Entrees, Feature, Gluten-free/gluten-free adaptable, Soups, Vegetables, Vegetarian

It’s soup season! I made my first pot tonight and even though I’m a warm weather gal, I am also crazy for soups. I’ll make two soups a week minimum. They’re easy, healthful, and so many rely on pantry staples, like this Lemony Chickpea Soup I developed for Clean Eating Magazine a few years ago. So flavorful, super rich texture, and loaded with fiber and protein!

I am a huge legume fan, as well. Legumes are full of protein and fiber, low in fat, and they’re dirt cheap. Legumes are also really versatile. (Have you seen the White Bean Tahini Blondie recipe from my cookbook?) In this soup, chickpeas are pureed into a smooth a creamy base so you don’t need heavy cream or anything like that.

I am barely keeping my head above water this week, so today’s post is going to be quick, just like this soup ;). Don’t skip all the great anti-inflammatory spices or the the squeeze of lemon or the fresh herbs at the end. I mean, Mr. Picky won’t permit green leaves floating in his soup, but he’ll eat three bowls of this without them. That’s a fair deal in my book!

5.0 from 3 reviews

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Lemony Chickpea Soup Recipe

Serves:6

Ingredients

2 Tablespoons unrefined, cold pressed extra virgin olive oil
1 onion, chopped
2 stalks celery, sliced
6 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon ground coriander
¼ teaspoon ground turmeric
⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper or more to taste
6 cups cooked chickpeas (or 4 15-ounce cans, drained and rinsed)
6 cups chicken or vegetable stock, preferably homemade
1 teaspoon sea salt, double if using unsalted stock
freshly ground black pepper to taste
2 lemons, cut into thirds
1 ½ cups mixed herbs, roughly chopped or whole leaves (I like a combo of parsley, cilantro, dill and mint)

Instructions

In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion, celery and garlic and sauté until tender, about 6-8 minutes. Add the spices and stir until fragrant.
Add the cooked chickpeas and toss to coat with the onion and spices. Add in the stock, salt, and pepper and bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer and cook for 10-15 minutes.
Puree a cup or two of the soup in a blender and stir back into the pot, or blend directly in the pot using an immersion blender. Taste for seasoning.
Divide the soup amongst 6 bowls, drizzle each with the juice of ⅓ lemon and top with ¼ cup mixed herbs.

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Comments

Maria
September 23, 2023 at 4:15 am
There’s not a single dish of yours I have made and did not LOVE. Made this last night, soo good! I am Lebanese and it totally gave me lebanese flavor vibes! Thanks for another great recipe
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- PamelaModerator
  September 25, 2023 at 10:05 am
  I’m delighted to hear that! Thank you for giving this recipe a try 🙂
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Diane L
December 24, 2022 at 11:08 am
Could you just add the lemon and herbs directly to the pot and then serve ,as well as store the leftovers with it all mixed together?
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- PamelaModerator
  January 5, 2023 at 4:56 pm
  You can, but I prefer to keep them separate. Adding lemon juice and fresh tender herbs to a soup at the end provides a nice freshness. The reason it’s recommended to add the lemon juice at the end is because citrus can lose its flavor the longer you cook it.
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Marissa
April 15, 2020 at 8:43 pm
I don’t have garbanzo beans, but I do have white organic great northern beans, could that work as a substitute? I also have pinto and black beans. Thank you!
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- PamelaModerator
  April 16, 2020 at 9:04 am
  Sure! I would try the Great Northern beans here.
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  - Marissa
    April 16, 2020 at 6:14 pm
    Thank you!
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See Also
Baked Garlic Green Beans with a Recipe Video
Jc
October 24, 2019 at 1:40 pm
Can you blend it all. So young
Have a creamy soup vs with whole beans? Would it be good that way?
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- Pamela SalzmanModerator
  October 24, 2019 at 6:36 pm
  If you like creamy soups, then I’m sure you would enjoy it that way!
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- Deb
  January 14, 2020 at 5:12 am
  I blended the entire thing into a bisque. This delicious soup blows my mind with how easy, quick and hearty it is. Thank you Pamela!
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  - PamelaModerator
    January 14, 2020 at 5:00 pm
    Great idea!! Enjoy!
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Dora
May 7, 2019 at 5:13 pm
Easy, fast and delicious
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- Pamela SalzmanModerator
  May 10, 2019 at 9:07 pm
  The best kind of recipe! xo
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Jennifer
November 14, 2018 at 4:35 pm
Oh my gosh made this tonight on this freezing night in nyc!
Amazing so good & warming & healthy!
Thank you
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- Pamela SalzmanModerator
  November 16, 2018 at 6:21 pm
  Perfect for a chilly night! Glad it hit the spot!
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Lori
April 14, 2018 at 9:08 pm
Love, love, love this soup!! Just made it and blown away by how easy and how tasty! Thank you!!
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- PamelaModerator
  April 15, 2018 at 4:16 pm
  Great, Lori! I agree — this wins the award for easy and tasty!
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Amanda
March 23, 2018 at 11:44 am
Every time I make one of your soups, I think it’s my favorite. But I made this one again last night, and it really is my favorite!!
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- PamelaModerator
  March 23, 2018 at 4:33 pm
  Awww, thanks! I love this one, too. Tasty and easy – the best combo!
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Michelle Novak
January 28, 2018 at 4:09 pm
I love the flavor, but I feel I personally need something else in it like rice or something? Any suggestions?
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- PamelaModerator
  January 29, 2018 at 10:08 pm
  You should add what you think you would like! Are you looking for texture? If so, after the soup is pureed you can add some chopped greens, peas, small cauliflower florets or some frozen veggies like green beans and carrots. Cook until heated through/tender!
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Jenifer
November 11, 2017 at 3:28 pm
I love this soup! Do you think it would freeze well?
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- PamelaModerator
  November 12, 2017 at 3:24 pm
  Yep!
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Sheri
October 11, 2017 at 8:08 am
I made this soup as one my meals for the week and it’s great. I can never have enough dill and lemon.
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- PamelaModerator
  October 12, 2017 at 3:05 pm
  Such a great combo!
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I come from a large Italian-American family with 28 first cousins (on one side of the family!) where sit-down holiday dinners for 85 people are the norm (how, you might ask – organization! But more on that later …).

Some of my fondest memories are of simple family gatherings, both large and small, with long tables of bowls and platters piled high, the laughter of my cousins echoing and the comfort of tradition warming my soul.