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 made this recipe this weekend and it definitely deserves the 5 stars. Everyone lived it and that included 2 BIG meat eaters. Thank you!
Thatβs great to hear Karen!!!
Made this for dinner tonight, delicious. The lemon zest and juice at the end really brought all the flavors together. Thank you for a great and easy recipe!
Youβre so welcome, Iβm glad you enjoyed it!
So simple and delicious! I made it last night and served with bread.I was looking for the top recipe star button.
Thatβs great!!!
I made this! Absolutely delicious! I used canned lentils and instead of blitzing, I mashed up about 1/4 of the can and added it to thicken, then I added the lentils for the last 5 minutes to simmer with the rest as not to make them mushy. Definitely adding this to my repitoire!
Awesome Tara, Iβm so happy you liked it!
Delicious! So thick I did have to thinβ¦But a lovely soup to warm your heart! Thanks
Itβs definitely one to warm you up Lyn!
Love love Dozerβs face in repose. You have described my Harry! Also a goldie. Love βem!
Will make this soup tonight as it sounds perfect.
Re the addition of lemon. Was given a recipe from a B&B where we stayed in Ireland. Itβs a sweet potato and ginger soup
When itβs served , I give everyone a wedge of lime to squeeze ver their soup and literally everyone is amazed at how it transforms and lifts a simple soup.
Off to buy some lentils!
Yes! Itβs amazing how it can just make something ordinary into extraordinary!!!
Iβve just made the lentil soup today, living in the UK itβs the middle of some freezing weather with a threat of snow. This soup was delicious and so easy to make. Iβm really loving your recipes, thank you
Thatβs so good to hear Lynne, Iβm so happy you loved it!!
This and your wonderful cabbage soup are amazing. My entire family loves this!!
Searched for the cabbage soup you mentioned was also great, but no cabbage soup listed. What is the title of the recipe you use?
Itβs the Healthy Vegetable Soup.
Hi Brooke, cabbage soup? Which recipe are you referring to??
Made this yummy soup and found it to be more like a stew. Added water and your favorite ingredient, Vegeta to keep the flavor more veggie like. Tasted great!
Yes, itβs quite thick (I like it that way) but you can definitely thin it out βΊοΈ
This looks like a lovely soup but I think I will hold it over for a couple of months till the weather cools a bit. This is a good reminder of the good, simple foods that are so good for us.
Dozer is worth more than his weight in gold. What a wonderful companion to have β even with the hair, sleeping and eating but then those lovely times when he canβt bear to be away from you and showers you with love. π
Yes definitely Mary β I prefer it in the cooler months!
Iβm making the soup tonight and struggling with getting all the lentils equally soft. What do you think the timing would be in the InstaPot? But Iβm excited about the flavors β I think itβs going to be great!
I havenβt tried just yet to be honest Antonia!
And after all those negatives β¦.. you wouldnβt be without him, would you Nagi?
Dozer does have positives. Dogs are good for our health, they create calm which in turn reduces blood pressure.
Listen to all our woes and never judge, Let our tears drip onto their fur and last but not least β¦
They love us unconditionally,
I <3 Dogs.
Totally agree with you there Jayne β€οΈ
Hi Nagi ,
My question is: Could this Soup be prepared in a instant pot?
Thanks,
Anya
Ditto to Anya! Can we throw this into a crock pot?
Thanks!
Hi Vanessa, Youβd need to transfer this after step 4 if you were going to do it in a slow cooker β€οΈ
Dozer tired, the heat got him. Love lentle, bean soup any time. At moment itβs all about salad . End of week another stinker inc night. Not happy Chappy.
Donβt always leave comments, but this recipes needs one. This lentil soup is the best. I only changed one thing smoked paprika. Thank you for sharing this recipe.
Hi, the video seems to show salt being added prior to simmering β the directions say to add w/ lemon at the end. Which do you generally do, or does it matter?
Hi Elizabeth! What a great pick up π I showed salt with the other spices just for convenience but I do tend to add at the end so I can adjust the salt to taste. Itβs a good habit to get into ie salting right at the end, because you just never know what the flavour will be like until itβs cooked! N x
This soup looks yummy N, esp in this crazy cold winter! Sunday when I opened the door to let my dog out, I had snow on my porch! Today when he went outside the wind was blowing hard! He was back on the porch so fast, he prob thought the wind was going to blow him away. π
The bbq makes me think of the nice warm summer heat. It canβt come soon enough for me! Iβm done with this bitter coldness!π
I made a double batch of broccoli soup for the week to take the chill off. Your lentil soup sounds like a great idea for next week!
Awww look at Dozer the angel! π π β€
I love me a good lentil soup. The first time I ever tried lentil soup was probably 25 years ago and it was the first time I realised that a food could look like sludgy mud (this was a very grey/green affair) and taste like food of the gods. Canβt wait to try this one (even though yours looks decidedly un-mud-like!).
As for Dozer β what is it about our fur babies that they can trash our house with fur, leave us to deal with their business, sleep and eat whenever they like, and still be so adorable? If a human was like that weβd be kicking them to the kerb! π
Adding the cumin and coriander is a great tip β as is the lemon. This is one of my favorite soups and for variety I add very small diced potatoes and some spinach.
HI Nagi
Got to get me some lentil peas, so I can make this soup. Looks so yummy.
Dozer is a very happy camper π
Enjoy the day! Hugs π€πΊ