Light and fragrant Turkish vermicelli soup comes together in about half an hour: tomato paste is briefly sautéed in olive oil, then vermicelli, a pinch of dried mint, and just enough broth create a bowl that is rich, cozy, and wonderfully homestyle — ideal for a fast lunch or supper.
Ingredients
- Olive oil — 3–4 tbsp | 45–60 ml
- Tomato paste — 1 tbsp | 15 ml
- Vermicelli (small pasta) — 1 cup | 100 g
- Water — 2 1/2–3 cups | 600–700 ml (or hot broth)
- Salt — to taste
- Chicken bouillon powder — to taste
- Dried mint — to taste
Step-by-step recipe
- Heat the olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat, add the tomato paste, and sauté for 2–3 minutes until its aroma opens up.
- Add the vermicelli and, stirring, toast for about 3 minutes more until lightly golden.
- Season with salt, chicken bouillon powder, and dried mint, then stir to combine.
- Pour in the boiling water (or hot broth), bring to a vigorous boil, and cook for 4–5 minutes.
- Lower the heat and simmer for about 10 minutes more, until the vermicelli is tender. Adjust the salt if needed.
- Serve hot, finishing with an extra pinch of dried mint if you like.
Nutritional value per serving
| Calories | ≈ 380 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | ≈ 7 g |
| Fat | ≈ 24 g |
| Saturated fat | ≈ 3 g |
| Carbohydrates | ≈ 38 g |
| Fiber | ≈ 2 g |
| Sugar | ≈ 3 g |
| Sodium | ≈ 1200 mg |
📹 Watch video recipe in our Telegram channel
Tips and variations
- No bouillon powder: replace the water with ready-made chicken or vegetable broth and simply salt to taste.
- Heat: add a pinch of red pepper flakes or sweet paprika when frying the paste.
- Texture: for a thicker soup, use a little more vermicelli; for a lighter bowl, add more water if needed.
- Aroma: dried mint can be swapped for dried oregano or thyme, though mint gives the classic Turkish note.
- Serving: excellent with a wedge of lemon and fresh flatbread.
FAQ
Can I replace vermicelli with another pasta?
Yes, any small pasta works well: risoni, stars, alphabet shapes. Adjust the cooking time according to the package instructions.
What can I use instead of chicken bouillon powder?
Use ready-made chicken or vegetable broth instead of water and season with salt to taste. A pinch of your favorite soup seasoning also works well.
How can I make the soup lighter?
Reduce the olive oil to 1–2 tbsp | 15–30 ml and increase the amount of broth. The flavor stays full, but the soup becomes less rich.