This lentil soup recipe is ideal for weeknights or whenever you need a quick, effortless, and hearty meal. So don’t let the long list of ingredients scare you. Mostly pantry staple ingredients deliver a surprisingly straightforward meal. Plus, who doesn’t love a healthy meal that also tastes great?! Low in fat and high in fiber and protein, lentils are absolutely good for you. And they keep you full longer, which is a big win if you’re trying to shed a few pounds. 🙌 You may have noticed, too, that soaked beans and lentils are easier to digest. That said, it’s totally your call. Skipping the soaking will still result in a tasty lentil soup.
Recipe Ingredients
How to Make Lentil Soup
Heat the oil in a large saucepan, then add onions, garlic, celery, ginger, and cumin. Stir occasionally for 2-3 minutes or until onions are translucent. (Photos 1-2) Season – Then add smoked paprika and soaked lentils. Stir and sauté for about a minute. (Photo 3) Veggies – Finally, add tomatoes, green onions, white pepper, carrots, and cayenne (optional). Pour in about six cups of chicken broth and salt to taste. (Photos 4-5) Simmer – Bring the lentil soup to a boil and let it simmer until the sauce thickens and the lentils are tender. It might take 30 minutes or more, depending on how you like your lentils. Throw in some parsley, adjust for salt and pepper, and thin the soup consistency with more broth if desired. (Photo 6) Serve warm with bread.
Recipe Variations
Tips and Tricks
Make-Ahead Instructions
Good news! You can certainly make a big batch of lentil soup ahead. Simply allow it to cool to room temperature before transferring it to an airtight container. Then freeze it up for up to 3 months. When ready to eat, thaw the soup in the fridge overnight and heat it on the stovetop on low.
Serving and Storage Instructions
Serve lentil soup warm with a side of bread or rice. Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for 3-5 days. Reheat them on the stove over low heat.
What Goes With Lentil Soup
While the soup simmers, you can prepare a side dish or some homemade bread to go along with it. Bread-wise, I like pairing this soup with skillet cornbread or easy dinner rolls—thicker lentil soup plates well with a steamy serving of basmati rice. And if you’re looking to serve a fun drink with this meal, Jamaican carrot juice goes well with all the earthy flavors. 🧡 Green lentil soup goes great with a good Syrah or Cabernet Franc.
More Cozy Soup Recipes to Try
Watch How to Make It
[adthrive-in-post-video-player video-id=”wWMdQAst” upload-date=”2019-11-26T22:22:31.000Z” name=”Lentil Soup” description=”Lentil Soup – super easy, cozy and healthy lentil soup that is huge in flavor. Loaded with earthy and aromatic spices with a little bit of heat. Best enjoyed with slices of bread or on its own for lunch and dinner. You’ll want seconds or thirds of this!” ] This blog post was originally published in October 2017 and has been updated with additional tips, new photos, and a video
