Mulligatawny
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Mulligatawny soup melds the spicy warmth of Indian flavors with British cuisine, all in one deliciously heartwarming bowl.
Mulligatawny blends Indian and British flavors in a soup that’s the perfect balance of spicy, sweet, and comforting. (Fun fact for Seinfeld fans: remember Kramer’s favorite soup from the famous Soup Nazi episode? That’s mulligatawny!) There are as many versions of mulligatawny as cooks who make it, and it’s wonderfully adaptable to whatever you have on hand. You’ll find variations with rice, creamy coconut milk, lentils, meat, or purely vegetarian options, to name just a few.
This simple version features lots of veggies, red lentils, coconut milk, tender chicken, and an apple for a bit of sweetness. I often stir in some basmati rice for added substance, but truly, homemade or store-bought naan is all you need to complete the meal. Feel free to toss in leftover or frozen vegetables—sweet potatoes and frozen peas are both great additions—to make it even more nourishing.
Table of Contents
“This soup was delicious and very easy! I served it with Naan bread and it was a quick and hearty meal that I will be making again.”
What You’ll Need To Make Mulligatawny Soup
- Garam Masala: This fragrant Indian spice blend includes peppercorns, mace, cinnamon, cloves, cardamom, and nutmeg. It’s available at most large grocery stores, but if you can’t find it, curry powder makes a good substitute.
- Carrots, Yellow Onion, Celery: These vegetables form a classic flavor base.
- Apple: Adds a unique, subtle sweetness and complements the spices in the soup.
- Chicken Broth: Provides the savory liquid foundation, enhancing the overall depth and richness of the soup.
- Coconut Milk: Gives the soup a creamy texture and a hint of tropical sweetness, complementing the spices.
- Red Lentils: Ideal for this soup as they cook quickly, add flavor, and thicken the soup. They break down during cooking, contributing to a heartier texture. Brown lentils are a suitable alternative, though they require longer cooking.
- Shredded Cooked Chicken: Using chicken from a store-bought rotisserie chicken or leftovers adds convenience and enriches the soup with protein and flavor.
- Lime Juice: Adds a fresh, zesty brightness, cutting through the richness and balancing the flavors.
- Cilantro: Provides a fresh, herbal note to finish the dish.
- Jump to the printable recipe for precise measurements
Step-by-Step Instructions
Heat the oil in a large pot. Add the garam masala and cook, stirring, for about 30 seconds, until fragrant.
Add the vegetable/apple mixture.
Cook, stirring frequently, until the mixture is softened, 7 to 8 minutes.
Add the chicken broth, coconut milk, lentils, and salt.
Bring the soup to a boil.
Reduce the heat to low and simmer, uncovered, for about 15 minutes, until the lentils are tender and starting to break down.
Use an immersion blender to partially purée the soup until slightly thickened. (Alternatively, use a ladle to transfer 2 to 3 cups of the soup to a blender. Remove the center knob so steam can escape. Hold a paper towel or kitchen towel over the opening to prevent splatters. Purée until smooth and return the blended soup to the pot.)
Stir in the chicken and fresh lime, then taste and adjust seasoning if necessary.
Sprinkle generously with fresh chopped cilantro. Serve with lime wedges.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, mulligatawny can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days (bonus: its flavors deepen when left to sit). The soup can also be frozen for up to 3 months. Reheat it on the stovetop over medium-low heat until hot. (The soup will thicken up when frozen, so you may need to add a bit of broth when reheating.)
The name “Mulligatawny” comes from the Tamil words “milagu” (pepper) and “tannir” (water), reflecting its origins in South India. The soup was adapted by the British in India during the colonial period, who added meat and other ingredients, turning it into a heartier dish.
Absolutely! Simply replace the chicken broth with high-quality vegetable broth and omit the chicken. Feel free to add some additional veggies, too.
You May Also Like
- Smoky Chickpea, Red Lentil & Vegetable Soup
- French Lentil and Vegetable Soup with Bacon
- Pasta Fagioli
- Chicken Noodle Soup
Mulligatawny
Mulligatawny soup melds the spicy warmth of Indian flavors with British cuisine, all in one deliciously heartwarming bowl.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 tablespoon garam masala (or substitute curry powder)
- 1 cup diced carrots, from 2 to 3 carrots
- 1 cup chopped yellow onion, from 1 medium onion
- ½ cup finely chopped celery, from 2 stalks
- 1 tart-yet-sweet apple, such as Honeycrisp or Fuji, peeled and finely chopped
- 6 cups chicken broth, best quality such as Swanson
- 1 cup canned unsweetened coconut milk
- 1⅓ cups red lentils
- Scant ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 cups shredded cooked chicken, from a store-bought rotisserie chicken or leftovers
- 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice, plus lime wedges for serving
- Pinch cayenne pepper (optional)
- ½ cup chopped fresh cilantro, for serving
Instructions
- Heat the vegetable oil in a large soup pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the garam masala and cook, stirring, for 30 seconds, or until fragrant. Add the carrots, onion, celery, and apple, and cook, stirring frequently, until softened, 7 to 8 minutes.
- Add the chicken broth, coconut milk, lentils, and salt to the pot. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce the heat to low and simmer, uncovered and stirring occasionally, for about 15 minutes, or until the lentils are tender and starting to break down.
- Use an immersion blender to purée the soup until slightly thickened. (Alternatively, use a ladle to transfer 2 to 3 cups of the soup to a blender. Remove the center knob so steam can escape. Hold a paper towel or kitchen towel over the opening to prevent splatters. Purée until smooth and return the blended soup to the pot.)
- Add the cooked chicken and 1 tablespoon lime juice, and heat until warmed through. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt, more lime juice, and cayenne pepper, if desired. Serve the soup generously sprinkled with fresh chopped cilantro, with lime wedges on the side.
- Note: The soup will thicken as it sits. Add more chicken broth to thin it out if necessary.
- Freezer-Friendly Instructions: The soup can be frozen for up to 3 months in an airtight container. Reheat it on the stovetop over medium-low heat until hot. (The soup will thicken up when frozen, so you may need to add a bit of broth when reheating.)
Pair with
Nutrition Information
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- Per serving (6 servings)
- Calories: 367
- Fat: 16g
- Saturated fat: 3g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Sugar: 7g
- Fiber: 6g
- Protein: 22g
- Sodium: 434mg
- Cholesterol: 35mg
This website is written and produced for informational purposes only. I am not a certified nutritionist and the nutritional data on this site has not been evaluated or approved by a nutritionist or the Food and Drug Administration. Nutritional information is offered as a courtesy and should not be construed as a guarantee. The data is calculated through an online nutritional calculator, Edamam.com. Although I do my best to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures should be considered estimates only. Varying factors such as product types or brands purchased, natural fluctuations in fresh produce, and the way ingredients are processed change the effective nutritional information in any given recipe. Furthermore, different online calculators provide different results depending on their own nutrition fact sources and algorithms. To obtain the most accurate nutritional information in a given recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe, using your preferred nutrition calculator.
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My husband made some garam masala last week for an instant pot butter chicken that turned out great, and there was a bit of the spice blend leftover. I’d been wanting to try this recipe so picked up the lentils (had everything else on hand, my favorite kind of recipe!) and made it last night. I omitted the cayenne because the garam masala was already pretty spicy but otherwise followed it to the letter. We were both really pleased with the result, it was delicious and very filling. We will definitely make this again and maybe serve for guests, half with and half without the chicken for our vegetarian friends. Thank you!
Hi Jenn,
I’ve never had anything remotely resembling Indian food, but I love to make soups, so when I saw this recipe, I decided to give it a go. It was easy to make and so warm, comforting and delicious with the flavors of garam masala. Even my husband, who is sometimes a hard sell when it comes to anything new, is now a loyal fan. It’s in the permanent rotation. Thanks for another wonderful recipe!
This soup was delicious and came together so quickly.
I added broccoli, white beans and kale as I had no chicken. I will absolutely be making this again.
Loved this soup! Husband said it was the best soup I have made by far! Thanks Jenn for another excellent recipe added into our rotation.
I am allergic to cilantro, what else can I add to help with the depth of flavor that your comments say. I love your recipes.
So glad you like the recipes! You can either omit the cilantro or substitute flat-leaf parsley.
Sooooo delicious and easy to make. I really enjoyed the spice flavor in this soup. It was very hearty and filling. Served it with the Naan bread and it was the perfect meal. Thanks again, your recipes never fail this mediocre cook!
Winner winner!!
I love this recipe and make exactly as written. It’s a nice change from regular chicken noodle for winter sniffles and to warm you up.
Turned out delicious, even though I only had sweet coconut milk I only used half a cup. Wow, what a neat recipe. I also only had green lentils, they were fine. Red lentils might be better. I will try to find some when I drive to Whole Foods. It is an hour drive for me.
What do you think of adding sweet potatoes to the soup?
I think that would be a nice addition!