Vegetable curry topped with yogurt, herbs, chili, and coconut beside rice and flatbread

Vegetable Mulligatawny: Easy Soup Recipe

One of the most popular soups of Indian origin is mulligatawny soup. The traditional version of the soup is a vegetarian peasant dish made using lentils or vegetables with stock, rice, and spices. There are multiple recipes for vegetable mulligatawny soup, as Indian families have passed their recipes through the generations, and different cultures have adapted the traditional Indian dish. For non-vegetarians, there are also meat versions of the dish, including lamb mulligatawny and chicken mulligatawny.

Our recipe for vegetable mulligatawny soup is hearty, full of flavour, and easy to adapt to the ingredients you have at home. It is also a budget-friendly vegetarian dish that is simple enough for cooking novices to make. Here is how to make our vegetable mulligatawny soup recipe.

Vegetable Mulligatawny: Easy Soup Recipe

Recipe by Liz Flynn
0.0 from 0 votes
Course: Soup RecipesCuisine: IndianDifficulty: Easy
Servings

4

servings
Prep time

13

minutes
Cooking time

48

minutes
Vegan

YES- omit yoghurt

Vegetarian

YES

Gluten-free

YES

Dairy-free

YES- omit yoghurt

Asimple recipe for vegetable mulligatawny, a traditional Indian soup featuring vegetables and spices.

Ingredients for Vegetable Mulligatawny

  • 2 medium onions finely chopped

  • 3 large carrots, peeled and finely diced

  • 4 celery sticks, trimmed and finely diced

  • 2 large white potatoes, peeled and finely diced

  • 2oz butter

  • 1 tbsp olive oil

  • 1l vegetable stock

  • 4oz basmati rice

  • 1 chilli finely diced

  • 1 tbsp finely chopped or grated fresh ginger

  • 2 cloves of garlic

  • 1 tsp each of ground cumin, turmeric, coriander, curry powder, and black pepper

  • 1tbsp tomato puree

  • Juice of half a lemon

  • 3 tbsp natural yoghurt (optional- omit for vegan/ dairy-free)

  • Salt to season

Directions: How to Make Vegetable Mulligatawny

  • Add the butter and oil to a pan and put over medium-high heat on the hob. Then, add the chopped carrots, celery, potatoes, and onions to the pan and saute for five minutes until beginning to soften.
  • Next, add the chopped garlic, chilli, ginger, black pepper, and all the spices to the pan. Cook for five minutes, stirring occasionally. If the ingredients start to stick to the pan, add a splash of water.
  • Cover the mixture with the stock and add the lemon juice and tomato puree.
  • Put the lid on the pan and reduce the heat, then leave the mixture to simmer for 20 minutes.
  • Add the basmati rice to the pan, then cook for another 15 minutes.
  • Make sure the rice is cooked, and if the rice needs longer, then cook for a further five minutes.
  • Remove the pan from the heat before stirring in the natural yoghurt (omit for vegan/ dairy-free), then serve the vegetable mulligatawny soupimmediately.

Additional Tips and Other Information

🧊 Storage Tips for Vegetable Mulligatawny Soup

Refrigeration

  • Store the soup in an airtight container for 3–4 days.
  • As it sits, the lentils will continue to thicken the broth — simply add a splash of water or stock when reheating to loosen the texture.
  • Reheat gently over medium heat, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.

Freezing

  • Vegetable Mulligatawny freezes very well because it contains no dairy.
  • Freeze in portioned containers for up to 3 months.
  • Thaw overnight in the fridge, then warm slowly on the hob, adding extra liquid if needed.

Make‑Ahead Tips

  • The flavours deepen beautifully after a day, making this an excellent make‑ahead soup.
  • If adding fresh herbs or a squeeze of lemon, do so after reheating, not before storing — it keeps the flavour bright.
  • For a creamier version, add coconut milk only after thawing, as it can separate if frozen.

⭐ Summary

Vegetable Mulligatawny is a vibrant, aromatic soup that blends Indian spices with hearty vegetables and lentils to create a comforting, flavour‑packed bowl. It’s naturally warming thanks to curry powder, ginger, and garlic, while tomatoes add a gentle sweetness that balances the spice beautifully. This vegetarian version is wholesome, nourishing, and wonderfully satisfying — ideal for cosy evenings, easy meal prep, or anyone craving a fragrant, feel‑good soup. With its rich broth, tender vegetables, and layers of spice, Vegetable Mulligatawny is a delicious fusion of comfort and tradition.

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