The Best Lentil Soup Recipe

Learn how to make the best lentil soup – this easy lentil soup is healthy, vegan, comforting and very easy to make. Perfect soup for cold winter days. All you need is one pot, few basic ingredients and one hour.

❤️ Why You’ll Love Lentil Soup

Let’s face it, we all love soups. But this lentil soup is one of those recipes that checks all the boxes: it’s simple, healthy, and super comforting. This vegan lentil soup recipe is loaded with vegetables and plant-based protein, making it both filling and nutritious. Plus, it’s perfect if you’re looking for a light and healthy meal—lentil soup can even help with weight loss! The combination of lentils, veggies, and spices creates a flavorful dish that’s also packed with the benefits of lentil soup, like being rich in fiber and vitamins. It’s an easy one-pot recipe that’s great for meal prep and quick weeknight dinners. If you’re new to cooking or just need something simple and satisfying, this is the soup for you!

🛒 Ingredients for Lentil Soup

• Lentil Soup Ingredients and Their Role
• Onion: Adds a savory base flavor and natural sweetness when sautéed.
• Celery: Contributes a mild, earthy flavor and adds texture to the soup.
• Carrots: Brings sweetness and balances the savory flavors while adding color and texture.
• Garlic: Enhances the overall flavor with its pungent and aromatic qualities.
• Olive Oil: Used for sautéing the vegetables, it also adds richness to the soup.
• Cumin: Provides a warm, earthy, and slightly spicy flavor that complements the lentils.
• Dried Oregano: Adds a hint of herbal flavor that enhances the soup’s overall depth.
• Paprika: Brings a mild sweetness and a touch of warmth to the soup.
• Salt: Elevates all the flavors and enhances the overall taste.
• Pepper: Adds a subtle kick and balances the flavors with mild heat.
• Diced/Chopped Tomatoes: Adds acidity, a bit of sweetness, and helps to balance the richness of the lentils and vegetables.
• Vegetable Stock: Provides the liquid base and infuses the soup with savory flavors.
• Dried Lentils: The star of the dish, lentils add heartiness, protein, and fiber, making the soup filling and nutritious.
• Parsley/Coriander: Adds freshness and a burst of bright flavor at the end.
• Lemon Juice: Brings a tangy brightness that lifts the flavors and adds a refreshing touch to the soup.

🤌 How to Make The Best Lentil Soup

Making a delicious and healthy lentil soup is easier than you might think! Follow these simple steps to create the perfect bowl of comfort.

1. Start with the Veggies: In a large pot, sauté onion, celery, and carrots in olive oil. This creates the flavorful base of your easy lentil soup recipe, adding richness and depth. Cook until the vegetables soften and release their natural sweetness.
2. Add the Spices: Stir in garlic, cumin, dried oregano, and paprika. These spices bring warmth and a hint of smokiness to the soup, making it rich and aromatic. Let the spices toast for a minute to enhance their flavors.
3. Add Tomatoes and Lentils: Mix in canned diced tomatoes for a touch of acidity, then add your rinsed lentils. Lentils are packed with plant-based protein, making this a perfect vegan lentil soup recipe. They absorb all the wonderful flavors while cooking.
4. Pour in the Stock: Add vegetable stock to the pot. This healthy lentil soup recipe gets its heartiness from the broth, which blends everything together and creates a smooth, comforting soup.
5. Simmer Until Tender: Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer. This is where the magic happens—let the lentils soften and absorb all the flavors for about 30-45 minutes.
6. Finish with Fresh Herbs and Lemon: Just before serving, stir in fresh parsley or coriander for a burst of brightness and freshness. A squeeze of lemon juice at the end adds a refreshing, tangy touch that brings everything together.

Best Spices for Lentil Soup

The right combination of spices can turn a simple lentil soup into a flavorful and warming dish. Here are some of the best spices to elevate your lentil soup:

1. Cumin: This is a must-have for lentil soup. Cumin adds a warm, earthy flavor that pairs beautifully with the heartiness of lentils.
2. Paprika: Paprika brings a subtle sweetness and warmth to the soup. For a smoky twist, you can use smoked paprika.
3. Turmeric: Adds a mild, peppery flavor and a beautiful golden color. It also offers anti-inflammatory benefits, making your soup even healthier.
4. Coriander: With its citrusy and slightly sweet flavor, ground coriander adds depth to your lentil soup, balancing the savory notes.
5. Curry Powder: If you want to give your lentil soup an Indian or Middle Eastern twist, a small amount of curry powder will add warmth and complexity.
6. Thyme: This herb offers an earthy and slightly minty flavor that complements the lentils and vegetables.
7. Bay Leaves: Add bay leaves while simmering the soup to infuse a subtle, aromatic depth to the broth.
8. Black Pepper: A touch of black pepper adds just the right amount of heat, balancing the overall flavor profile.
9. Red Pepper Flakes: For those who love a little spice, a sprinkle of red pepper flakes will give your soup a mild kick without overpowering the other flavors.
10. Oregano: This dried herb is perfect for adding a Mediterranean flair to your soup, with its savory and slightly bitter taste.

Best Lentils for Lentil Soup

Choosing the right type of lentils can make a big difference in the texture and flavor of your lentil soup. Here are the best lentils to use for different types of soups:

1. Brown Lentils: The most common type, brown lentils hold their shape fairly well during cooking, while still becoming tender. They’re perfect for a classic lentil soup that’s hearty and a bit rustic. They also have a mild, earthy flavor that works well with various seasonings.
2. Green Lentils: Green lentils are slightly firmer than brown lentils and take a little longer to cook. They hold their shape even better, making them ideal for soups where you want the lentils to remain intact. They have a slightly peppery flavor and are often used in more textured lentil soups.
3. Red Lentils: Red or split lentils cook faster and break down easily, making them perfect for creamy or pureed soups. They have a mildly sweet and nutty flavor and create a smooth, thick texture without the need for blending. If you want a quicker, creamier vegan lentil soup, red lentils are a great choice.
4. Yellow Lentils: Similar to red lentils, yellow lentils also break down quickly during cooking, making them great for smooth and creamy soups. They add a subtle, slightly sweet flavor.
5. Black Lentils (Beluga Lentils): These lentils are small and firm, holding their shape better than other types, making them great for soups where you want a firmer texture. They have a rich, earthy flavor and can give your soup a more elegant, visually striking appearance.
6. French Lentils (Puy Lentils): Known for their firm texture and peppery taste, French lentils hold their shape well, making them ideal for lentil soups with more bite and texture. They’re perfect for soups where you want the lentils to stand out.

For a hearty and classic lentil soup, brown or green lentils are excellent choices. If you prefer a creamier texture, opt for red or yellow lentils. Mix and match these lentils based on the soup texture and flavor you’re aiming for!

🗒 Variations

Lentil soup is highly adaptable, making it easy to create different versions to suit your preferences. Here are some delicious variations using common ingredients, while keeping your soup vegan, gluten-free, or even using canned lentils for convenience:

1. Lentil Soup with Canned Lentils: Short on time? Swap dried lentils for canned lentils. Since canned lentils are already cooked, simply add them to the soup after sautéing the vegetables. This easy lentil soup recipe will be ready in half the time, perfect for quick meals.
2. Vegan Lentil Soup with Coconut Milk: This recipe is already vegan but forr a creamy twist, add a can of coconut milk to your vegan lentil soup recipe. The coconut milk adds richness while keeping it dairy-free and vegan. Pair it with curry powder for an exotic flavor boost.
3. Gluten-Free Lentil: This base recipe is already gluten-free. But you can cake your gluten-free lentil soup even more nutritious by adding chopped spinach, kale, or Swiss chard during the last few minutes of cooking. These greens provide extra vitamins and minerals without adding gluten or extra carbs.
4. Spicy Vegan Lentil Soup: Spice things up with a teaspoon of red pepper flakes or a diced chili pepper. This vegan lentil soup gets an extra kick, perfect for those who love a little heat in their dishes.
5. Mediterranean Lentil Soup: Give your soup a Mediterranean flair by adding fresh herbs like oregano, thyme, and parsley. A drizzle of olive oil, a squeeze of lemon, and a few olives on top will make this vegan and gluten-free lentil soup taste light and refreshing.
6. Smoky Lentil Soup: For a smoky flavor, stir in smoked paprika or a dash of liquid smoke. This variation adds depth to your vegan and gluten-free lentil soup, giving it a heartier, comforting taste.
7. Lentil Soup with Roasted Vegetables: Roast vegetables like zucchini, bell peppers, and eggplant, then stir them into your gluten-free lentil soup for added texture and flavor. The caramelized veggies bring a sweet and smoky contrast to the hearty lentils.

🗒 Best served with

Lentil soup is a versatile dish that pairs beautifully with a variety of sides. Here are some of the best options to serve alongside lentil soup:

• Crusty Bread: A warm, crusty loaf of sourdough or baguette is perfect for dipping into the hearty soup and soaking up all the delicious flavors.
• Pita Bread: Soft, fluffy pita bread complements the soup and is great for scooping up lentils and vegetables.
• Garlic Naan: For an extra burst of flavor, serve your lentil soup with garlic naan bread. The buttery, garlicky slices make a wonderful side to the earthy soup.
• Rice or Quinoa: A small serving of rice or quinoa on the side makes the meal even more filling and adds extra texture.
• Salad: A fresh green salad with a simple lemon vinaigrette adds a refreshing contrast to the rich flavors of lentil soup. You can serve a kale salad or a beetroot and chickpea salad for extra crunch.
• Grilled Vegetables: Lightly grilled or roasted vegetables like zucchini, eggplant, or bell peppers bring a smoky flavor and are a nutritious addition to your meal.

👝 How to Store Leftovers

Storing leftover lentil soup is easy, and it reheats beautifully. Follow these simple steps to keep your soup fresh:

1. Cool the Soup: Let the lentil soup cool to room temperature before storing. This prevents condensation and helps the soup cool evenly.
2. Refrigerate: Transfer the cooled soup to an airtight container. Lentil soup will stay fresh in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days. Make sure to label the container with the date so you know when to use it.
3. Freeze: If you want to store the soup for a longer time, it freezes well. Pour the soup into freezer-safe containers, leaving some space at the top for expansion. You can also portion it out into smaller containers for easy, single servings. Lentil soup can be frozen for up to 3 months.
4. Reheat: To reheat, simply transfer the soup to a pot and warm it over medium heat, stirring occasionally. If frozen, thaw the soup in the refrigerator overnight before reheating. You may need to add a little water or stock to thin it out, as lentils tend to thicken when stored.

More Easy and Delicious Soup Recipes

This lentil soup is a winner, and you’ll probably be making it over and over again. But if you want to diversify, I’ve got you covered with more soup recipes:

• Easy garlic soup
• Minestrone Soup
• Mushroom Barley Soup 

The Best Lentil Soup

This easy lentil soup is healthy, vegan, comforting and very easy to make. Perfect soup for cold winter days. All you need is one pot, few basic ingredients and one oner.

4 from 104 votes

Cook ModePrevent your screen from going dark

Print Recipe Pin Recipe SaveSaved!

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 45 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr

DIFFICULTY Easy

Course Soup

Cuisine World

Servings 8

Calories 210 kcal

Ingredients

 

1x2x3x

• 1 Onion Large, chopped
• 2 Celery stalks Stalks, chopped
• 2 Carrots Medium, diced
• 2-3 Garlic Cloves, crushed
• 2 tablespoons Olive oil
• 1 teaspoon Cumin
• 1 teaspoon Dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon Paprika
• Salt to taste
• Pepper to taste
• 1 can (400 g) Diced tomatoes/chopped tomatoes 14oz
• 8 cups (2 Liter) Vegetable stock
• 2 cups (380 g) Dried lentils, rinsed
• 2-3 tablespoons Parsley/coriander chopped
• 2 tablespoons (30 ml) Lemon juice fresh

Instructions

 

• ▢
  In a large pot heat olive oil, add chopped onion and sauté for 6-7 minutes, until slightly golden. Add chopped celery and diced carrots, cook for 4-5 minutes, until tender. Add crushed garlic, cumin, dried oregano, paprika and cook, stirring for 1 minutes.
• ▢
  Add minced/chopped tomatoes and cook for 1-2 minutes.
• ▢
  Add rinsed lentils, vegetable stock, salt and pepper. Bring to a boil over high heat, then, reduce the heat to low, cover with a lid, and simmer for 30-45 minutes. Check the seasoning and add salt/pepper if needed.
• ▢
  Add chopped coriander/parsley, lemon juice, give a quick stir and turn the heat off.
• ▢
  Serve!

Video

Nutrition

Calories: 210kcalCarbohydrates: 38gProtein: 13gFat: 1gSaturated Fat: 0.2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.4gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.4gSodium: 1283mgPotassium: 655mgFiber: 16gSugar: 6gVitamin A: 3355IUVitamin C: 12mgCalcium: 63mgIron: 5mg

Nutrition information is automatically generated and thus we can not guarantee it is 100% accurate.

Keyword Lentil