How Many Calories in Red Lentil Soup (Mercimek)?
At 92 kcal per 100 g, Red Lentil Soup (Mercimek) comes to roughly 230 calories in a single bowl (250 g). Low in fat and rich in protein and fiber, it is one of the most balanced of the traditional soups.
Red Lentil Soup (Mercimek) nutrition facts
| Nutrient | 100 g | 1 bowl (250 g) |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 92 kcal | 230 kcal |
| Carbs | 15.6 g | 39 g |
| Protein | 6.9 g | 17.3 g |
| Fat | 0.4 g | 1 g |
| Fiber | 4 g | 10 g |
Calories by portion
| Portion | Amount | Calories |
|---|---|---|
| 1 bowl | 250 g | 230 kcal |
| 1 small bowl | 200 g | 184 kcal |
| 1 tablespoon | 20 g | 18 kcal |
| 1 large bowl | 300 g | 276 kcal |
Values are approximate, based on average recipes; they vary with ingredients, portion size and cooking method.
Activity equivalent
The energy in one serving of Red Lentil Soup (Mercimek) (250 g, 230 kcal) is roughly equivalent to:
Based on a 70 kg reference; it varies from person to person. See activity calories →
For informational purposes only — not medical advice. If you have symptoms or a medical condition, consult a doctor.
Made from red lentils simmered with onion, carrot, and a little flour and then blended smooth, Red Lentil Soup (Mercimek) is an undisputed staple of both restaurant menus and home tables across Turkey. The biggest factors in its calorie count are the amount of oil used during cooking, whether flour is added at all, and the drizzle of butter sauce ladled on top at serving. There can be a visible difference between a pot cooked at home with just a little oil and a restaurant bowl with a slick of hot butter floating on the surface.
On the macro side, Red Lentil Soup (Mercimek) has a strong hand: it carries 6.9 g of protein and 4 g of fiber per 100 g, while fat is just 0.4 g. Most of its carbohydrate (15.6 g) comes from the lentils themselves. This profile makes the soup a smart first course for anyone looking to start a meal with few calories while boosting fullness.
How Many Calories Are in One Bowl of Red Lentil Soup?
A standard bowl (250 g) works out to about 230 kcal and delivers 17.3 g of protein. A smaller bowl (200 g) comes to 184 calories, while a single tablespoon (20 g) you take just for a taste is only around 18 kcal.
These figures hold for a plain soup made with an average recipe. The butter-and-red-pepper sauce added at serving puts about 30-50 kcal into the bowl, while a squeeze of lemon on the side adds almost none. Keep in mind that dropping in toasted bread (croutons) will push the total up noticeably.
How Many Calories Are in Pureed Red Lentil Soup?
Pureed red lentil soup is simply the cooked lentils passed through a strainer for a silkier texture. Because the ingredients are essentially the same, the calorie count stays very close to the plain recipe; any difference usually comes from the butter or cream added to enrich the texture. In a restaurant-style pureed version, those extras can add roughly 20-50 kcal to the bowl. It is also worth knowing that straining leaves some of the pulp behind, so the fiber content dips a touch.
Can You Drink Red Lentil Soup on a Diet?
Red Lentil Soup (Mercimek) fits comfortably onto the table of anyone watching their calorie balance. Because its pairing of plant protein and fiber supports satiety, a bowl before the main course can make it easier to keep the portions that follow smaller.
The point here is not to forbid anything but to strike a balance: having the bowl with no bread or just a single slice, and choosing the version without oil drizzled on top, are the most practical ways to keep your daily total in check. In a 2,000-calorie day, one bowl of red lentil soup takes up only a small slice of the total.
Frequently asked questions
How much protein is in Red Lentil Soup?
A bowl (250 g) contains about 17.3 g of protein. That is quite a good figure for a plant-based soup, and it comes from lentils being a legume.
How many calories is Red Lentil Soup with bread?
A slice of white bread adds roughly 60-80 kcal to the bowl. With flatbread or plenty of bread, that difference climbs quickly, so counting the bread separately is the most sensible way to track the total.
Can you have Red Lentil Soup at night?
Yes; its light nature makes it one of the better options for late hours. Even so, keeping the nighttime serving to a small bowl makes it easier to protect your total balance for the day.
How much of a daily calorie intake does Red Lentil Soup (Mercimek) provide?
One serving of Red Lentil Soup (Mercimek) (250 g) has about 230 kcal — roughly 12% of an average 2,000-calorie daily intake.
What is the macronutrient breakdown of Red Lentil Soup (Mercimek)?
In 100 g of Red Lentil Soup (Mercimek), the energy split is roughly 67% carbs, 29% protein and 4% fat.
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