Colder weather means a cozy and warming soup is the perfect way to fuel your family. This traditional lentil soup recipe is brimming with nourishing ingredients that will fill everyone up with every bowl. It’s a recipe my husband and kids always request when they come in from the cold!
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Best Lentil Soup Recipe
A bounty of fresh veggies and herbs come together with dried lentils that need no soaking time, giving you the best lentil soup recipe in no time. Stop buying those cans of processed lentil soup and see how much better it is when you make it from scratch!
Easy Lentil Soup Recipe
While it looks like LOTS of ingredients, this easy lentil soup is a simple way to add warming nutrition to any meal. It can even BE the meal with some crusty bread and a salad. It takes only 15 minutes to put together and the rest is all simmering.
Lentil Soup Ingredients
- Olive oil – You’ll use this to sauté your veggies first.
- Garlic – Mince it with your garlic press and add the freshest flavor to your soup.
- Carrots and celery – Chop them both to add more flavor and nutrition to this hearty lentil vegetable soup.
- Lentils – For traditional lentil soup use brown lentils. You only need to rinse and then drain them. They don’t need to soak. If you want to make a red lentil soup recipe, you can substitute red lentils into this recipe as well.
- Crushed tomatoes – The only canned item on this list.
- Chicken stock – To help make the broth. For those of you that want a vegan lentil soup recipe, you can simply use vegetable broth to make this vegan or vegetarian-friendly.
- Lemon juice – Adds that umami.
- Lemon zest – Trust in this, it’s going to be amazing!
- Seasonings – You’ll need bay leaves, crushed red pepper flakes, smoked paprika, cumin, coriander powder, salt, and black pepper.
- Fresh parsley – This will be added at the end as a garnish.
How do you Make Lentil Soup from Scratch
- To make homemade lentil soup, pull out your large stock pot and heat it over medium, then add olive oil.
- When it’s heated, add the garlic and onion, then the celery and carrots.
- Cook it all until softened, then add the rest of the ingredients except the lemon juice, zest, and salt.
- Let the whole thing simmer fully, then cover with a lid and let it simmer for 35 to 40 minutes.
- The lentils should be cooked through, then you remove the bay leaves and add the lemon juice, zest, and salt.
- Finish with a garnish of parsley when serving.
Enjoy the lentil things in life.
Megan
Expert Tips and Tricks for the Perfect Lentil Soup Every Time
- Always choose broth. Lentil soup will feel like it’s missing something if you just use water. If you want to keep this vegetarian or vegan, swap the chicken stock for veggie broth.
- Add meat if you like. This is a great chance to use up leftover ham or sausage!
- Don’t worry about soaking the lentils. Lentils do not require any soaking. But do remember to rinse and drain them well to remove any bits of dirt.
Do you soak lentils for soup?
No, lentils are great for soups because there is no soaking time required. You should rinse and drain them though.
Is lentil soup good for weight loss?
Yes, lentil soup is great for weight loss because lentils are filled with nutrients. With loads of protein and good carbs, you’ll feel fuller and satisfied for longer.
Is homemade lentil soup good for you?
It’s so good for you because of the fresh veggies and lentils in it. Canned varieties have too much sodium but this recipe relies on seasonings and fresh flavors that taste way better.
How to Cook Lentil Soup?
Lentil soup cooks on the stove-top in one pot. You will want to sauté your veggies first to bring out the best flavors. If you want to put it in your slow cooker, you can. Just be sure to sauté those veggies before throwing them in.
What can I add to lentil soup for flavor?
Lemon, lemon zest, garlic, onions, bay leaves, smoked paprika, cumin, red pepper flakes, and coriander powder are just a few of the things that make this lentil soup recipe burst with flavor.
How do you thicken lentil soup?
Lentils naturally thicken up the soup. If you feel like you’d like it thicker, let it reduce some more. If that doesn’t work, you can add a little cornstarch and water slurry.
How do you make lentil soup creamier?
You can use the back of your spoon to blend the lentils into the soup more. A better way is to use an immersion blender to make the consistency creamier.
What goes well with Lentil Soup?
Lentil soup is so filling but I love serving it with a nice crusty bread. I’ll usually heat it up so it’s nice and warm, perfect for dunking. I also have served a garden salad with it and meat skewers are a nice addition if you want a little meat to go with your meal but don’t want it in the soup.
How to Store Lentil Soup?
Once it cools down, you’ll want to store your lentil soup in airtight containers and put it in the fridge.
How Long Does Lentil Soup Last?
In your fridge, lentil soup is good for 5 days. That means making a big batch for the week is a smart idea that will help you round out your meals or make for a tasty lunch on a busy workday!
Can You Freeze Lentil Soup?
Yes, lentil soup freezes so beautifully, it’s like it was made for meal prep. You can keep it frozen for up to 3 months.
How to Reheat Lentil Soup?
If it’s frozen, let it thaw in the fridge overnight. From there, you can gently warm it on the stove until it is heated through.
