Description
This Hearty Lentil Vegetable Soup is the kind of comforting, nourishing meal that warms you from the inside out. Packed with wholesome vegetables and protein-rich lentils, it’s a satisfying and flavorful dish perfect for any day of the week. A generous bowl of this deeply savory and beautifully textured soup, topped with fresh herbs, promises pure, delicious contentment.
Ingredients
1 cup brown or green lentils, rinsed and sorted
1 large yellow onion, finely chopped
2 medium carrots, peeled and diced
2 celery stalks, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, undrained
4 cups vegetable broth (low sodium preferred)
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 cup fresh spinach or chopped kale (optional)
Instructions
Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.
Add onion, carrots, and celery. Cook for 5-7 minutes until softened and onion is translucent.
Stir in garlic, cumin, and smoked paprika. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
Add diced tomatoes, vegetable broth, and rinsed lentils. Stir.
Bring soup to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 35-40 minutes until lentils are tender.
For a thicker soup, pulse a few times with an immersion blender or blend 1 cup and return to the pot.
Stir in spinach or kale and let it wilt for 2 minutes.
Season with salt and pepper. Taste and adjust if needed. Serve hot or cool.
Notes
Don’t Rush the Sauté: Allowing the onions, carrots, and celery to soften and develop flavor in the pot before adding other ingredients is key to a delicious broth.
Stir Occasionally: As the soup simmers, give it a stir every so often to ensure that the lentils and vegetables don’t stick to the bottom of the pot.
Adjust Seasoning at the End: It’s always best to season with salt and pepper towards the end of cooking, as the flavors concentrate and the broth reduces.
Lentil Tenderness: The cooking time for lentils can vary slightly depending on their age and type. Check for tenderness after 40 minutes and add a few more minutes if needed.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Cuisine: Vegetarian