Mung Bean Soup (Printable View)

Hearty mung beans slow-cooked with onions, tomatoes, and warming Indian spices for ultimate comfort.

# What You'll Need:

→ Legumes

01 - 1 cup dried mung beans, rinsed and soaked for 4 hours or overnight

→ Vegetables

02 - 1 medium onion, finely chopped
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 1-inch piece fresh ginger, grated
05 - 1 medium carrot, diced
06 - 1 medium tomato, chopped
07 - 1 small green chili, finely chopped (optional)

→ Spices & Seasonings

08 - 1 tsp ground cumin
09 - 1 tsp ground coriander
10 - 1/2 tsp turmeric powder
11 - 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
12 - 1/2 tsp mustard seeds
13 - 1/4 tsp asafoetida (hing), optional
14 - 1 tsp salt (or to taste)

→ Liquids

15 - 6 cups water or vegetable broth

→ Garnishes

16 - 2 tbsp fresh cilantro, chopped
17 - 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice

# How To Make It:

01 - Drain and rinse the soaked mung beans thoroughly under cold water.
02 - In a large pot, heat a splash of oil over medium heat. Add mustard seeds and let them sizzle for 30 seconds until fragrant.
03 - Add onion, garlic, and ginger to the pot. Sauté until the onion becomes translucent, about 3 minutes.
04 - Stir in carrots, tomato, green chili (if using), cumin, coriander, turmeric, black pepper, and asafoetida. Cook for another 2 minutes to bloom the spices.
05 - Add mung beans and pour in the water or vegetable broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered for 35–40 minutes, or until the mung beans are soft and the soup has thickened.
06 - Add salt and adjust seasoning to taste. Stir in lemon juice and garnish with fresh cilantro before serving.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Its the kind of soup that actually heals you after a long week
  • The spices create this warming sensation that stays with you
  • Everything goes into one pot and takes care of itself
02 -
  • Mashing some beans against the side of the pot creates this creamy texture without any cream
  • The soup thickens as it sits so dont panic if it looks thin at first
  • Adding greens in the last five minutes is an easy way to sneak in more nutrition
03 -
  • Use a heavy bottomed pot to prevent the beans from sticking at the bottom
  • Taste as you go since spice strength varies between batches
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