Print

Hearty Lentil Soup with Vegetables and Lemon Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.8 from 87 reviews

This Lentil Soup is a warm and nutritious meal perfect for cozy weeknights. Made with a blend of hearty lentils, fresh vegetables, and flavorful spices, it offers a comforting bowl that’s easy to prepare and packed with wholesome ingredients.

Ingredients

Scale

Soup Base

  • 1 cup dried brown or green lentils, rinsed
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 medium onion, finely chopped
  • 2 carrots, diced
  • 2 celery stalks, diced
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced

Spices and Seasoning

  • 1 tsp ground cumin
  • 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 2 bay leaves

Liquids and Finishers

  • 6 cups vegetable or chicken broth
  • 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes, with juice
  • 2 cups fresh spinach, roughly chopped
  • Juice of 1 lemon
  • Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish

Instructions

  1. Sauté Vegetables: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add finely chopped onions, diced carrots, and diced celery. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are tender and soft to the bite.
  2. Add Spices and Garlic: Stir in minced garlic, ground cumin, smoked paprika, black pepper, and salt. Cook for 1 minute to allow the spices and garlic to become fragrant and release their flavors.
  3. Simmer Lentils: Add rinsed lentils, vegetable or chicken broth, diced tomatoes with juice, and bay leaves to the pot. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to low and let simmer uncovered for 25 to 30 minutes until the lentils are tender but not mushy.
  4. Finalize Soup: Remove and discard the bay leaves. Stir in the roughly chopped fresh spinach and cook just until the spinach wilts. Add the juice of one lemon and taste the soup, adjusting seasoning with additional salt or pepper if desired.
  5. Serve and Garnish: Ladle the hot lentil soup into bowls and garnish with freshly chopped parsley before serving to add a burst of fresh flavor and color.

Notes

  • Rinsing lentils before cooking helps remove dust and debris for cleaner flavor.
  • You can substitute vegetable broth with chicken broth based on dietary preference.
  • Adding lemon juice at the end brightens the soup and balances the earthiness of lentils.
  • For a creamier texture, blend a portion of the soup before adding spinach.
  • This soup is excellent for meal prep and can be refrigerated or frozen.

Keywords: Lentil soup, vegetarian soup, healthy meal, easy soup recipe, Mediterranean lentil soup

Find it online: https://lucabites.com/hearty-lentil-soup-with-vegetables-and-lemon-recipe/