Donβt settle for bland Lentil Soup!Β Make it right and youβll have everyone begging for secondsβ¦.and thirdsβ¦ This lentil recipe is one of the best nourishing, simple dishes you can make with dried lentils thatβs 100% delicious. Use green lentils, red lentils, brown lentils or a lentil soup mix.
All it takes is a hint of spice flavourings, bay leaves and finishing it off with a touch of lemon to elevate this soup. Itβs an easy recipe that delivers terrific results, a 5 star reader favourite with hundreds of feedback from readers!
Want to addΒ some protein? Try this Beef & Lentil Soup!
Lentil Soup
Lentil soup is quite possibly the least sexy sounding soup on the planet.
At least, in my world. Regular readers know that Iβm all about big flavours. Spicy, herby, curries β kapow, kapow, kapow!
But you know what? A well made Lentil Soup recipe is canβt-stop-eating-it good. Youβll go back for seconds and thirds, then youβll be taking big tubs of it to work for lunch and happily have it for dinner again.
And β Iβm going to say it (*head swell*) β plenty of readers have said this is theΒ best lentil soup theyβve ever had!
A well made Lentil Soup recipe is canβt-stop-eating-it good.
Is lentil soup good for you?
If youβre wondering if lentil soup is good for you, the answer isΒ yes!Β Lentils areΒ nutritious, rich in minerals, protein, low in fat, high in fibre (digestive health). They are a terrific vegetarianΒ source of proteinΒ with 25% of the calories in lentils attributable to protein.
Lentils are a carbohydrate, but itβs slow burning which means it keeps you fuller for longer.Β Studies also suggest that lentils are good for heart health.
The added benefit is thatΒ they are low in calories with 116 calories in 1 cup of cooked lentils (which is roughly the amount per serving of this lentil soup).
What does lentil soup taste like?
It tastes savoury and has a flavour boost from a hint of spices. Thereβs an undertone of natural sweetness from the soffritoΒ flavour base of onion, carrot and celery. My favourite part is the texture! Itβs thick and comforting, and just made for dunking in hot crusty bread!
What goes in Lentil Soup
Hereβs what goes in my lentil soup. Nothing fancy, just everyday ingredients.
So what makes this Lentil Soup so good?
A touch of spices.
Cooking the onion, carrot and celery slowly so they sweeten and make a beautiful flavour base.
Lemon βΒ The βsecretβ ingredient.Β Yes really. Little tip I picked up from Ina Garten. Just a bit of zest and squeeze of fresh lemon makes all the difference which takes it from really good to great!
Do you cook lentils before adding to soup?
Nope! Dried lentils cook in 35 minutesΒ in the soup, and thereβs no need to soak them either!
What type of lentils are best for lentil soup?
Dried lentils are best for lentil soup. You can use most types of lentils for this recipe β brown, green, red or yellow, though it will affectΒ the colour of the soup. Iβve used green lentils, pictured below.
The only type of lentil I do not recommend isΒ Puy Lentils (little black French lentils) because they hold their shape and donβt soften like other lentils.
Can you used canned cooked lentils?
Yes you sure can, and directions are provided in the recipe notes. But itβs better made with dried lentils because of the texture in the soup, thereβs only 10 minutes difference in cook time and itβs more economical!
How to make Lentil Soup from scratch
SautΓ© your onion, garlic, carrots and celery overΒ over low heat for almost 10 minutes. Take your time here βΒ the lower the heat, the longer you take, the more these will transform to create an incredible flavour base for the soup!
Add everything else other than the lemon;
Simmer 35 minutes until lentils are soft; and
Finish with a dusting of zest and spritz of lemon.
A hint of lemon earthiness from the zest and touch of freshness from the juice just jazzes up the soup and takes it to that next level!
Youβll find that the lentils mostly breakdown and naturally thicken the soup. But what I like to do to get a really luscious creamy texture is to give the soup aΒ quick whizz with a blender stick (or transfer a couple of cups to the blender) to puree SOME but not all the lentils.
That way you get the benefit of both worlds β creamy soup with soft bits of lentils. YES!
How to store lentil soup
Lentil Soup will easily keep for 5 days in the fridge, making it ideal for cooking on the weekend and serving throughout the week. And it also freezes 100% perfectly for 3 months β even longer!
Every time I make this, I always wonder why I donβt make it more often. Itβs healthy, filling, super economical, freezes perfectly, versatile and itβsΒ seriously good.
Serving this with some sort of warm crusty bread for dunking is not optional.Β ItβsΒ an essential part of the Lentil Soup experience.
But itΒ is optional whether you slather said bread with butter, or grill it with cheese! Β Here are a few options β including making your ownΒ ultra easy homemade bread with NO YEAST:
β Nagi xx
Watch How To Make It
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Lentil Soup
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 onion, chopped (white, brown, yellow)
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 large carrot , chopped (about 1 1/4 cups)
- 2 celery ribs , chopped (about 1 1/4 cups)
- 2 cups / 400g dried lentils , green or brown, rinsed (Note 1)
- 400g / 14 oz crushed tomato
- 1.5 litres / 1.5 quarts (6 cups) vegetable or chicken stock / broth, low sodium
- 1/2 tsp each cumin and coriander powder
- 1 1/2 tsp paprika powder
- 2 dried bay leaves
- 1 lemon (zest + juice)
- 1/4 tsp salt and pepper, each
To Serve
- Chopped fresh parsley, for garnish
- Warm bread, to serve
Instructions
- Heat oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add garlic and onion, cook for 2 minutes.
- Add celery and carrot. Cook for 7 β 10 minutes or until softened and the onion is sweet. Donβt rush this step, it is key to the flavour base of the soup.
- Add all remaining ingredients except the lemon and salt. Stir.Β
- Increase heat and bring to simmer. Scoop scum on the surface off and discard (do this again during cooking if required). Place lid on and turn heat down to medium low. Simmer for 35 β 40 minutes or until lentils are soft.
- Remove bay leaves.
- Thicken Soup: Using a stick blender, do 2 or 3 quick whizzes to thicken the soup (see video below). Or transfer 2 cups to a blender, let it cool slightly, then hold lid with tea towel and blend then transfer back into pot.
- Add a touch of water if you want to adjust soup consistency. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Grate over the zest of the lemon then add a squeeze of lemon juice just before serving. Garnish with parsley if desired and serve with warm crusty bread slathered liberally with butter!
Recipe Notes:
Nutrition Information:
Recipe originally published March 2017, spruced up with new pics, new video and fresh new writing. Absolutely no change to recipe β itβs been a firm reader favourite from day 1, so IΒ wouldnβt dare touch it!
More totally delicious lentil recipes:
Sexy Lentil Salad β try it, then youβll get the nameβ¦.
Dal β Indian lentil curry. The highest and best use of lentils, full stop!
Coconut Lentil Curry β outrageously addictive, andΒ easyΒ (I make this for a curry fix when I donβt have time for dal)
Mejadra (Middle Eastern Spiced Lentil Rice) β so good you can eat it plain, seriously!
Browse all Beans and Lentil recipes
Life of Dozer
He contributes less than nothing to this household, he actually contributesΒ negative.Β Dropping fur everywhere, shaking vigorously so it flies everywhere along with an inordinate amountΒ of sand, constantly sprawling out in my path so Iβm forced to step over him (remember, Iβm vertically challenged = giant steps).
Giant π© all over the backyard. Barks furiously at tree branches swaying in the breeze but I swear, he would happily show a robber where my jewellery box is in exchange for a pat.
Useless!!! (And yet we love them so much, donβt we? π)
PS Another example of his uselessness β he spends 22 hours a day doing this. The other 2 hours are spent a) eating b) hoping to eat c) playing.
I thought this soup was fantastic and really easy to make. The only small difference was I added about a half pound of italian sausage and about a teaspoon or two of fresh thyme. (I also used my own chicken stock) It was pretty amazing and everyone that had it raved about it! Thank you for sharing your recipe!!
Sounds fantastic Suzanne!
I have made this several times now and itβs fantastic. But I thought I would add that I had never noticed until today that you said it might not work with French lentils. Thatβs funny because thatβs all Iβve ever used and they work just fine.
Oh thatβs good to know Sibylle!
Yum! Just had this for my lunch! I added curry powder to the spices and it worked great. Super recipe thank you!
Fantastic Hannah, Iβm so happy you love it!
A super soup Nagi.
Thank you.
Jackie Stuart
Iβm so happy you love it Jackie!
Delicious! I didnβt use the stick blender or regular blender; I just ate it as is, and I loved it!
I ate it with Mexican bolillo bread. Mmmmm!
Definitely the lemon made it all the more tasty!!
Hi, I doubled up your recipe and added a half a pound of brown sugar cured bacon. You are right, the lemon definitely completes the character. Enjoyed it immensely β Thanks so much for the recipe.
This is one of the best soups Iβve made and all the family loves it.
Thatβs awesome!! Thank you β€οΈ
I want to make this recipe tonight! Can you clarify which types of lentils can be used for this recipe? The wording in Note 1 leads me to check for clarification.
Hi Rai, this should work with any type of lentils except Puy Lentils β€οΈ
This recipe has saved the day. My 4yr old boy was unwell and wanted lentil soup just like they make at the Steiner kindy and he wanted it now! This soup has hit the spot and he has happily munched through a large bowl. glad to hear that it freezers well so I can always have some on hand. Thanks!!
I made your lentil soup (double the amount) as here in Ireland it is cold with sleeting rain. Lentil soup has never been my go to soup but I have to say, it is now. This soup is just delicious and I am so glad I made double the amount. With a lump of homemade bread it was comfort food extraordinare
Iβm so glad youβre converted Trudy!!!
My first time making lentil soup β this recipe is so easy and it tastes AMAZING! Thank you!
Great Lisa, thanks for the feedback β€οΈ
This was fantastic! Yummo! Even the one who βhatesβ lentils loved it.
Yasss! Winning!
This soup was ultimate!
Great recipe! I made this last night, and my husband and I loved it. Kids werenβt fans so much, but what do they know? Haha
This was a delicious dinner that was easy to make too β on top of reasonable calories and healthy. My husband has talked for years about the lentil soup they served in the cafeteria of the hospital he worked in and how god it was. I have tried many lentil soups in an effort to make one he liked as well. He said this one is better! You win, Nagi! Thanks for another great recipe.
Woot!!! Iβm so glad he loved it!
Hi Nagi
Iβve been craving your soup for ages and finally tonight I made it. Sssssso delish. My son even asked if it was now a part of our regular menu, he liked it so much, adding thatβs how soups are supposed to be. lol. Iβll make a double batch next time, so as to freeze some. Thank you so much for sharing.
Oh thats so great Helen!
I made this soup for my son.He is vegan. He loves it. Instead of a crusty bread. I made him fried depression bread in my iron skillet. For sure a keeper. Econimali too !! 5 starβ¦
Sounds fabulous Leigh!!
I made this last night in my InstantPot. It was wonderful! Only took 12 min on high pressure and quick release. Thank you for an awesome recipe!
Great Lu!!
Delicious!
Thanks Beth!
I have to tell youβ¦ The other day, not wanting meat,,I decided to make Lentil Soup. When my husband found out he said, βWhy, of all the soups you make Lentil soup is my least favorite .β I said trust me, this is Nagiβs recipe. Youβll like it.β And he did !!! As did my son and grandsons!!!
Wahoo!!! Great news Gwen!