Hearty Lentil Soup Recipe: Simple Comfort in Every Spoonful

Chilly evenings call for a warm, comforting hearty lentil soup that fills your kitchen with an irresistible aroma.

This Mediterranean-inspired soup blends robust lentils with a medley of aromatic vegetables and herbs.

Earthy legumes mingle with carrots, onions, and garlic, creating a deeply satisfying meal in one pot.

Packed with protein and nutrients, this soup delivers both nourishment and incredible flavor in every spoonful.

The recipe traces its roots to simple, rustic cooking traditions that celebrate wholesome ingredients.

Rich, velvety, and perfectly seasoned, this soup transforms humble lentils into a luxurious dining experience.

Dive into this soul-warming classic that promises to become a cherished staple in your recipe collection.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

Calories: 140 kcal

Servings: 7

All Ingredients For Lentil Soup Recipe

• Olive Oil: Provides rich, smooth foundation for sautéing vegetables and creating deep flavor layers.
• Onion: Adds sweet, savory base note and enhances overall depth of the soup's taste profile.
• Carrots: Brings natural sweetness and vibrant orange color, contributing earthy undertones.
• Celery: Offers subtle herbal notes and crisp texture, balancing other vegetable flavors.

• Garlic: Delivers pungent, intense flavor and provides powerful aromatic complexity.
• Cumin: Introduces warm, slightly nutty earthiness with distinctive Middle Eastern culinary character.
• Paprika: Contributes mild, sweet pepper essence and beautiful reddish undertone.
• Turmeric: Provides golden color and subtle peppery, slightly bitter medicinal notes.
• Red Pepper Flakes: Adds gentle heat and sparkling zingy sensation to the soup's flavor profile.

• Lentils: Packed with plant-based protein, creating hearty texture and nutritional richness.

Cooking Tools For Lentil Soup Recipe

• Large pot: Essential for sautéing vegetables and simmering soup.
• Cutting board: Needed for chopping onions, carrots, and celery.
• Chef's knife: Perfect for precise vegetable cutting.
• Wooden spoon or spatula: Helps stir and mix ingredients while cooking.
• Measuring spoons: Ensures accurate spice quantities.
• Measuring cups: Helps measure ingredients precisely.

Steps To Make Lentil Soup Recipe

• Warm Up the Cooking Vessel

Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium warmth, creating a smooth base for your delicious soup.

• Create a Veggie Foundation

Toss in chopped onions, carrots, and celery, dancing them around the pot for about 5-7 minutes until they become soft and slightly translucent.

• Awaken the Aromatic Spices

Sprinkle in minced garlic and your favorite spice blend – cumin, paprika, turmeric, and a pinch of red pepper flakes. Let these flavors mingle and release their magical essence for roughly 1-2 minutes until the kitchen fills with an irresistible fragrance.

• Introduce the Lentils

Pour in lentils and vegetable broth, stirring gently to combine all the wonderful ingredients. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce heat and let everything simmer peacefully.

• Simmer to Perfection

Cover the pot and let the soup quietly bubble for 25-30 minutes, occasionally stirring. The lentils will soften and absorb all the incredible spices and vegetable goodness.

• Final Touch and Serve

Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. Ladle into warm bowls and garnish with fresh herbs if desired. Your comforting lentil soup is ready to warm hearts and souls.

Tips For Rich Lentil Soup Recipe

• Flavor Boost: Enhance the soup's depth by adding a splash of red wine vinegar or fresh lemon juice just before serving to brighten the overall taste profile.
• Texture Trick: For a creamier consistency, blend a portion of the cooked soup with an immersion blender, leaving some lentils whole for a varied texture.
• Protein Power: Swap green or brown lentils with red lentils for a faster-cooking option or add diced chicken or tofu for extra protein.
• Veggie Variation: Experiment with seasonal vegetables like zucchini, spinach, or kale to add more nutritional value and create a unique twist on the classic recipe.
• Dietary Adaptation: Make this soup gluten-free by using gluten-free vegetable broth and ensuring all spices are certified gluten-free.

Serve Lentil Soup Recipe Warm And Cozy

• Hearty Meal Companion: Pair this lentil soup with crusty whole grain bread for a satisfying and filling dinner experience that soaks up the delicious broth.
• Protein Power Boost: Top the soup with crumbled feta cheese, chopped fresh parsley, or roasted pumpkin seeds to add extra protein and create delightful texture contrasts.
• Mediterranean Style Twist: Serve alongside a simple Greek salad with cucumber, tomatoes, and olives to complement the warm, spiced flavors of the lentil soup and create a complete Mediterranean-inspired meal.
• Warming Comfort Presentation: Ladle the soup into deep ceramic bowls and drizzle with a swirl of high-quality olive oil or a dollop of Greek yogurt to enhance the soup's rich, comforting profile.

Store Lentil Soup Recipe With Ease

• Quick Refrigeration: Store leftover lentil soup in airtight containers within 2 hours of cooking. Keeps fresh in the refrigerator for 45 days, maintaining delicious flavors and nutritional value.
• Freezer-Friendly Option: Transfer cooled soup to freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Freezes perfectly for up to 3 months, allowing convenient meal prep for busy weeks.
• Reheating Strategy: Gently warm soup on stovetop over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally to prevent bottom scorching. Add splash of water or broth if soup thickens during storage to restore original consistency.
• Smart Portioning: Divide soup into individual serving sizes before refrigerating or freezing. Enables easy single-serving meals, reduces waste, and provides quick lunch or dinner options during hectic scheddays.

Hearty Lentil Soup Recipe

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4.6 from 15 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 7 1x

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Description

Mexican lentil soup showcases hearty legumes simmered with bold spices and fresh vegetables. Comforting and nutritious, this dish brings warmth to your table with authentic flavors that delight the senses.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 cup (200g/7 oz) dried lentils (green, brown, or red)
• 6 cups (1.5L/48 fl oz) vegetable or chicken broth
• 1 (14.5 oz/400g) can diced tomatoes
• 2 tbsps olive oil
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 2 carrots, diced
• 2 celery stalks, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• ½ tsp ground turmeric
• ¼ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
• 1 bay leaf
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
• 2 cups (60g/2 oz) chopped fresh spinach or kale
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• Fresh parsley or cilantro, chopped (for garnish)

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Instructions

1. Prepare Base: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium flame, creating a shimmering surface ready to transform vegetables into a flavor foundation.
2. Sauté Aromatics: Add onions, carrots, and celery, cooking until vegetables soften and release their natural sweetness, developing a rich, fragrant base for the soup.
3. Enhance Flavor Profile: Introduce minced garlic and spices (cumin, paprika, turmeric, red pepper flakes), allowing them to bloom and create an aromatic symphony that elevates the entire dish.
4. Combine Ingredients: Fold in rinsed lentils, thoroughly coating them with the spice-infused vegetable mixture, ensuring each legume absorbs the complex seasoning.
5. Build Liquid Foundation: Pour vegetable broth into the pot, creating a bubbling liquid that will gradually transform ingredients into a cohesive, nourishing soup.
6. Simmer and Develop: Reduce heat, cover the pot, and allow lentils to slowly soften and meld with the surrounding flavors, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking.
7. Finalize and Season: Once lentils reach a creamy consistency and soup thickens, adjust seasoning with salt and pepper, balancing the intricate flavor layers.
8. Serve with Flair: Ladle the steaming soup into serving bowls, finishing with a garnish of fresh herbs or a delicate olive oil drizzle to enhance visual and gustatory appeal.

Notes

• Optimize Vegetable Softening: Dice vegetables uniformly to ensure even cooking and consistent texture throughout the soup.
• Enhance Spice Bloom: Toast spices briefly before adding liquids to intensify their aromatic compounds and deepen flavor complexity.
• Control Liquid Absorption: Monitor liquid levels during cooking, adding extra broth if lentils absorb too quickly to prevent burning and maintain desired soup consistency.
• Customize Dietary Adaptations: Swap vegetable broth with chicken or bone broth for protein boost, or use gluten-free alternatives to accommodate different nutritional needs.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Middle Eastern

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 7
• Calories: 140
• Sugar: 4g
• Sodium: 600mg
• Fat: 5g
• Saturated Fat: 1g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 20g
• Fiber: 6g
• Protein: 7g
• Cholesterol: 0mg