Mulligatawny
This post may contain affiliate links. Read my full disclosure policy.
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
Powered by 
- 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.
See more recipes:
Comments
Add a Comment
This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.
This soup is so awesome — the flavors are absolutely delicious. I followed the recipe exactly to rave reviews from my family, with my 13 year old telling me to write “big winner” on the recipe so I would remember to make it again. I made the dinner rolls from your cookbook to go with it — those were also amazing — but took longer than I had anticipated (my fault for not reading the entire recipe before I got started), but the rolls themselves came out great! Thank you Jenn for more fantastic recipes!
Jenn, this soup is AMAZING….as all of your recipes are that I have tried! Did not change anything except used Olive Oil instead of Vegetable Oil. You never steer me wrong and loved the idea of using my food processor for the veges and apple….so easy!! My husband raved and I said “Jenn does it again”! So excited to try even more of your recipes! I bought asparagus today to make your Asaragus Soup with Lemon and Parmesan for about the 15th time!!! Thanks for being that “go to chef”!! You make my life easy, yummy and no flops! Thanks again Jenn!
😊
This soup has never failed to please everyone at the table! We all love it so much. It is great for family and friends, or to take to a Fall potluck with neighbors. I follow Jenn’s recipe, exactly.
Wonderful, warming soup for welcomed cool weather. I had left over fresh ginger and it was a great addition to the soup.
I’m going on my second day eating this soup and I cannot get enough of it! So delish!! I tweaked the recipe a tad – I added two thai chilies and added curry and garam masala (bring on the heat!). So delicious and perfect for fall!
Thanks for the awesome recipe. Currently two for two – made your pumpkin cheesecake with gingersnap crust for a party last weekend (HUGE hit). 🙂
I made this soup because I had all the ingredients and wanted to use up the rotisserie chicken and have leftovers for the school/work week. It was much better than I expected–totally delicious!!!! thank you!
So darn good, even better the next day. Didn’t have chicken, so we ate it over basmati rice day one and added the chicken the next day. Also had it with your Naan recipe (minus the fennel seed). Letting it sit overnight for the next day only made it (somehow) more delicious. My red lentils took a little longer to get soft, so first time through, give yourself a 10 minute buffer to any cooking timeline you may have. Using the food processor made this a minimal effort offering and it is FOR SURE getting added to the family recipe rounds. Jenn, I’m 20+ recipes in, you are my go-to for every dinner party, game night, soup or potluck. Reliably good, filling, and time sensitive. Can’t say enough good things about the rockstar cook you allow me to try and be. Thanks! (Can’t wait for your cookbook, amazon is bringing it tonight!)
So glad you enjoyed this and other recipes you’ve made – thanks for taking the time to let me know! ❤️
So quick and easy to throw together- the perfect meal during a cold day! Thank you for all your wonderful recipes!
This soup is wonderful! Every time we have it, family and guests want to have your recipe!! I don’t change a thing.
This is one of my absolutely most favorite recipes! Fixed as written, it is a winner, especially when including the cayenne pepper. When I make the announcement that this is for dinner, even my husband, who doesn’t like lentils, gets excited.
I have also fixed it with lamb and it is still wonderful! The only other item I change is using Extra Virgin Olive Oil for the health benefit instead of vegetable oil.
Regardless of what meat I use, I would make this recipe twice a week if I could. It is a winner, and the balance of the flavors is amazing. Being a perfectionist, I have finally found the Cook I want to follow! I have not found a bad recipe yet! : )