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Vegan Lentil Soup
This is one of those soups you just throw together and let simmer on the stove. Which is personally my kind of soup recipe! The more hands-off, the better. All you need is a Dutch Oven or large pot and a few simple ingredients!
This Hearty Lentil Soup has been in our mealtime rotation for years, and it never gets old. I love making it for dinner on busy weeknights and serving it with bread for an easy meat-free meal. It’s so flavorful, cozy, and one of those dependable recipes you always keep in your back pocket!
RELATED: The BEST Lemon Balsamic Lentil Salad
Why You’ll Love It
- Healthy Ingredients – The lentils are full of healthy fiber and protein, fresh veggies that have vitamins….this soup is nourishing in so many ways.
- Easy & Budget-Friendly – Using pantry staples and affordable ingredients, I love how budget-friendly it is. Especially important these days!
- Meal-Prep Friendly – Stores and reheats perfectly for leftovers or prepping for the week ahead.
- Incredibly Flavorful – The perfect blend of seasonings, a touch of acidity from lemon, and fresh spinach for added texture.
- Vegan & Gluten-Free – I love keeping this one in my rotation for a meat-free dinner idea!
Ingredients in Lentil Soup
You’ll only need a few simple, wholesome ingredients to get started. You may even have most of these already in your pantry!
- Lentils – Brown or green lentils work best, but red lentils can be used for a softer texture.
- Carrots, Celery, & Onion – Swap with bell peppers, zucchini, or any other vegetables you have on hand.
- Garlic – Can be replaced with garlic powder if fresh isn’t available.
- Vegetable Broth & Water – Feel free to use chicken broth if not vegan!
- Crushed Tomatoes – Diced tomatoes also work well, but crushed tomatoes will have the best results.
- Spinach – Substitute with finely chopped kale, if desired.
- Seasonings – Customize with your favorite herbs like thyme, oregano, or cumin.
- Lemon Juice – Apple cider vinegar or white wine vinegar can provide a similar tangy flavor in a pinch.
- Olive Oil – Swap with avocado oil, coconut oil, or butter if preferred.
- Fresh Parsley & Crusty Bread (Optional) – I love serving this soup with a side of sourdough! It’s SO good. Fresh basil or cilantro make great alternatives to parsley, and gluten-free bread can absolutely be used if needed.
How to Make Lentil Soup
I love how easy this soup is! Just add everything to a Dutch oven, cook, pour in the broth and lentils, and simmer. Here’s how to make homemade Lentil Soup:
- Sauté the Veggies: Heat olive oil in a Dutch oven or large pot. Sauté the carrots, celery, and onion until soft, then add garlic and cook for another minute.
- Simmer the Soup: Stir in the lentils, broth, water, and seasonings. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and let it simmer until the lentils are tender.
- Add the Final Touches: Stir in the crushed tomatoes and lemon juice. Let it cook for another 10 minutes.
- Finish with Spinach: Turn off the heat, add the spinach, and cover the pot for a couple of minutes to let it wilt.
- Serve & Enjoy: Ladle the soup into bowls, garnish with fresh parsley, and serve with a squeeze of lemon and crusty bread!
Tip: The soup thickens as it sits! Add extra broth or water if needed.
How to Cook Dry Lentils
Place the dry lentils in a large stock pot. For perfectly soft lentils, cook 1 cup of dry lentils with 3 cups of liquid. Bring the liquid and lentils to a boil and then reduce to a simmer. Continue to cook for about 30-40 minutes, until lentils are soft.
For this vegan lentil soup recipe, the lentils are cooked along with the vegetables and seasoning all at once. So there’s no need to cook the lentils separately!
More lentil recipes: Sun-Dried Tomato & Arugula Lentil Salad
Tips for This Vegan Lentil Soup Recipe
- Rinse the Lentils: Always rinse lentils thoroughly before cooking to remove any debris or excess starch.
- Sauté for Depth of Flavor: Cooking the onions, carrots, and celery until slightly caramelized enhances the soup’s richness.
- Don’t Overcook the Lentils: Keep an eye on them as they simmer—overcooked lentils can become too mushy. This is an important tip for making perfect lentil soup!
- Balance the Acidity: Adjust the amount of lemon juice based on taste. A little goes a long way in brightening the flavors.
- Layer the Seasonings: Add the salt towards the end of cooking to prevent the lentils from toughening up.
- Customize the Thickness: If you prefer a thicker soup, blend a portion of it and mix it back in! It’s so good this way and almost gives it like a creamy texture.
Variations
- Spiced Lentil Soup – Add cumin, turmeric, and a dash of cinnamon for a warm, spiced twist.
- Coconut Lentil Soup – Stir in a can of coconut milk for a creamy and slightly sweet variation.
- Mediterranean Lentil Soup – Swap in fresh rosemary, thyme, and a handful of olives for a Mediterranean touch.
- Hearty Lentil & Sweet Potato Soup – Dice up some sweet potatoes and let them cook with the lentils for extra heartiness.
- Protein-Packed Lentil Soup – Stir in cooked quinoa, chickpeas, or tofu for an additional protein boost.
You’ll Also Love: The BEST Coconut Lentil & Chickpea Curry
How to Serve Lentil Soup
- With a Side of Bread: Pair with crusty sourdough, garlic bread, or warm pita for dipping.
- Over Grains: Serve over cooked rice, quinoa, or farro for an even heartier meal.
- Add Protein: Add shredded chicken, tofu, or a poached egg on top for extra protein.
- As a Starter: Serve a small bowl alongside a fresh garden salad or a grilled cheese sandwich.
- Garnished for Extra Flavor: Sprinkle with feta cheese, fresh herbs, or a drizzle of olive oil for a finishing touch.
How to Store
Refrigerator: Store in an airtight container for up to 4-5 days.
Freezer: Freeze in portioned containers for up to 3 months.
Reheat: Warm on the stovetop over medium heat or in the microwave in 30-second intervals, adding a splash of broth as needed.
More Comforting Healthy Soup Recipes
- Vegetarian French Onion Soup
- Slow Cooker Chicken Tortilla Soup
- Vegetarian Lentil & Sweet Potato Curry
- Slow Cooker Vegetable Soup
- Vegan Ramen Soup w/ Zucchini Noodles
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Lentil Soup Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 2 medium carrots (peeled & diced small)
- 2 medium celery stalk (diced small)
- 1 medium yellow onion (diced small)
- 6 garlic cloves (minced)
- 1 1/2 cups brown or green lentils
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- 6 cups water
- 1/8 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 teaspoon fine sea salt
- 1 1/2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon ground paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 2 Tablespoons fresh lemon juice (juice of about 1 small lemon)
- 1 14-ounce can crushed tomatoes
- 1 5-ounce bag fresh baby spinach
- fresh chopped parsley, lemon wedges, and/or crusty toasted bread (optional, to serve)
Instructions
- Heat the oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat.
- Add the carrot, celery, and onion and sauté for about 8-10 minutes.
- Add the garlic and sauté for an additional 1-2 minutes.
- Add all of the remaining ingredients except for the lemon, baby spinach and crushed tomatoes.
- Cover the pot and leave the lid slightly ajar. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce to medium and simmer for 25 minutes until the lentils are tender.
- Mix in the lemon and crushed tomatoes and cook for another 10 minutes. Turn off the heat.
- Stir in the spinach and cover the pot for 2 minutes so the spinach will wilt.
- Garnish with fresh parsley, extra squeeze of lemon or lemon wedge, and serve with crusty bread. Enjoy!
Notes
- Rinse the Lentils: Always rinse lentils thoroughly before cooking to remove any debris or excess starch.
- Don’t Overcook the Lentils: Keep an eye on them as they simmer—overcooked lentils can become too mushy. This is an important tip for making perfect lentil soup!
- Customize the Thickness: If you prefer a thicker soup, blend a portion of it and mix it back in! It’s so good this way and almost gives it like a creamy texture.
Swathi says:
Delicious and perfect lentil soup, I like that you spiced it well too. perfect for dinner.
Pavani says:
That is such a hearty and delicious lentil soup. Perfect for the chili weather or even as a filling dinner on any day. My family will love this.
Gloria says:
Love how easy this lentil soup is. I made a big batch and it was perfect for my family!
Christine McMichael replied:
So glad you enjoyed the recipe!