Description
Simmering with robust flavors, Mexican Lentil Soup delivers a comforting culinary journey through Mexico’s rich culinary landscape. Warm spices and tender lentils create a satisfying meal that nourishes both body and soul, inviting you to savor each spoonful of this authentic, soul-warming dish.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 cup dry lentils, rinsed and picked over
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- 1 (14.5 ounces / 411 grams) can diced tomatoes
Vegetables and Aromatics:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 medium carrot, diced
- 1 medium red bell pepper, diced
- 1 cup corn kernels (fresh, canned, or frozen)
Spices and Seasonings:
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon chili powder
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for heat)
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- ½ cup chopped fresh cilantro
- Juice of 1 lime
Optional Garnishes:
- Sliced avocado
- Crushed tortilla chips
- Shredded cheese (if not vegan)
- Extra lime wedges
Instructions
- Initiate the flavor foundation by warming olive oil in a substantial cooking vessel over medium temperature, introducing diced onion, minced garlic, julienned carrot, and vibrant bell pepper. Allow vegetables to soften and become translucent, releasing their aromatic essence for approximately 6-7 minutes.
- Awaken the spice profile by incorporating cumin, smoked paprika, chili powder, and optional cayenne pepper. Toast the spices briefly to intensify their robust characteristics, then fold in diced tomatoes, creating a rich, harmonious base.
- Elevate the soup’s body by introducing vegetable broth and lentils. Accelerate heat to achieve a rolling boil, then reduce to a gentle simmer. Cover and allow the mixture to gently bubble, transforming lentils into tender morsels over 25-30 minutes.
- Enhance the soup’s texture and vibrancy by stirring in sweet corn kernels and freshly chopped cilantro. Permit these ingredients to meld and warm through for an additional 4-5 minutes.
- Brighten the entire composition with a splash of zesty lime juice, carefully calibrating salt and pepper to achieve a balanced flavor profile. Remove from heat to preserve the ingredients’ delicate nuances.
- Present the soup in deep bowls, inviting personalization through optional garnishes like creamy avocado slices, crisp tortilla chip fragments, or melting shredded cheese.
Notes
- Customize heat levels by adjusting cayenne pepper or adding jalapeños for extra spice enthusiasts who love a kick.
- Boost protein content by incorporating cooked shredded chicken or plant-based alternatives like tofu for more substantial meal options.
- Swap vegetable broth with water plus extra spices if reducing sodium intake or preferences require lighter liquid base.
- Enhance texture and nutritional value by adding diced sweet potatoes or zucchini during vegetable sautéing stage for more complex flavor profiles.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 400 mg
- Fat: 5 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 36 g
- Fiber: 12 g
- Protein: 10 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg