Soups & Stews Free recipe

Lentil Soup

Lentil Soup is slow-simmered done right -- a hearty, spiced lentil soup with vegetables. A gentle simmer -- not a hard boil -- is what keeps everything tender instead of tough.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 40 min Total: 50 min

50Minutes

6Servings

4.7Rating

EasyLevel

Why you'll love this recipe

A short, straightforward ingredient list with no special equipment needed.
The components can be made ahead and reheated without losing quality.
Scales up easily for a crowd -- just multiply the ingredients.

Ingredients

Makes 6 servings

1.5 cups dried lentils, rinsed
3 tbsp olive oil
1 onion diced
2 carrots diced
2 celery stalks diced
4 cloves garlic minced
1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes
6 cups vegetable broth
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp smoked paprika
2 cups spinach
salt and pepper

Estimated Nutrition (per serving)

195Calories

8gFat

22gCarbs

9gProtein

Estimated from the ingredients above; actual values vary by brand and exact measurements.

Method

Step 1
Heat the olive oil in a pot. Cook the onion, carrots, and celery 6 minutes, then add the garlic, cumin, and paprika for 1 minute.
Step 2
Add the lentils, diced tomatoes, and broth.
Step 3
Bring to a boil, then simmer 30 to 35 minutes until the lentils are tender.
Step 4
Stir in the spinach and cook 2 minutes until wilted.
Step 5
Season with salt and pepper (and a squeeze of lemon brightens it up).
Step 6
Serve hot with crusty bread.

Cook's tips

This tastes even better the next day, once the flavors have had time to sit together in the fridge.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Taste and adjust the seasoning right before serving -- salt levels vary a lot between brands of broth, sauce, and canned goods.

Keep cooking