Best 9 Traditional Lentil Soup Recipes

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Lentil soup is a classic comfort food that has been enjoyed for centuries. Often a staple for both vegetarian and vegan diets, lentil soup can also be made with chicken or beef broth for non-vegetarians. Whether you're looking for a hearty and satisfying meal or a light and healthy lunch, lentil soup is a great option that is so versatile, you can experiment with different ingredients and flavors to create a soup that is uniquely your own.

Let's cook with our recipes!

LENTIL SOUP



Lentil Soup image

Recipe VIDEO above. Don't settle for a bland lentil soup. Make it right, and you'll have everyone begging for seconds...and thirds! The touch of spices and finishing it off with lemon really lifts this soup to the next level.

Provided by Nagi@RecipeTin Eats

Categories     Mains     Soup

Time 55m

Number Of Ingredients 15

2 tbsp olive oil
1 onion, chopped ((white, brown, yellow))
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 large carrot (, chopped (about 1 1/4 cups))
2 celery ribs (, chopped (about 1 1/4 cups))
2 cups / 400g dried lentils (, green or brown, rinsed (Note 1))
400g / 14 oz crushed tomato
1.5 litres / 1.5 quarts (6 cups) vegetable or chicken (stock / broth, low sodium)
1/2 tsp each cumin and coriander powder
1 1/2 tsp paprika powder
2 dried bay leaves
1 lemon (zest + juice)
1/4 tsp salt and pepper, (each)
Chopped fresh parsley, for garnish
Warm bread, to serve

Steps:

  • Heat oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add garlic and onion, cook for 2 minutes.
  • Add celery and carrot. Cook for 7 - 10 minutes or until softened and the onion is sweet. Don't rush this step, it is key to the flavour base of the soup.
  • Add all remaining ingredients except the lemon and salt. Stir.
  • Increase heat and bring to simmer. Scoop scum on the surface off and discard (do this again during cooking if required). Place lid on and turn heat down to medium low. Simmer for 35 - 40 minutes or until lentils are soft.
  • Remove bay leaves.
  • Thicken Soup: Using a stick blender, do 2 or 3 quick whizzes to thicken the soup (see video below). Or transfer 2 cups to a blender, let it cool slightly, then hold lid with tea towel and blend then transfer back into pot.
  • Add a touch of water if you want to adjust soup consistency. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Grate over the zest of the lemon then add a squeeze of lemon juice just before serving. Garnish with parsley if desired and serve with warm crusty bread slathered liberally with butter!

Nutrition Facts : ServingSize 421 g, Calories 311 kcal, Carbohydrate 48 g, Protein 18 g, Fat 5 g, Sodium 111 mg, Fiber 22 g, Sugar 5 g

THE BEST LENTIL SOUP



The Best Lentil Soup image

Brown lentils are the star of this dish. To boost flavor, we used a classic mirepoix-onion, celery and carrot - as well as thyme, bay and oregano for an herby finish. We found the fresh lemon juice and parsley at the end brightened up the soup and added a nice pop of color.

Provided by Food Network Kitchen

Categories     main-dish

Time 1h30m

Yield 4 to 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 15

3 tablespoons olive oil
3 medium carrots, cut into 1/4-inch pieces
1 medium onion, diced
1 large celery stalk (about 2 ounces), cut into 1/4-inch pieces
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1 large clove garlic, minced
1 1/2 cups dried brown lentils
4 cups vegetable stock
7 sprigs thyme, leaves stripped (about 1 teaspoon leaves)
1 bay leaf
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1 teaspoon lemon zest, plus the juice of 1/2 lemon (about 2 tablespoons)
1/2 cup flat-leaf parsley leaves, plus more for garnish, roughly chopped

Steps:

  • Heat the oil in a large heavy-bottom pot over medium-high heat. Add the carrot, onion, celery and 1 teaspoon salt and cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are starting to caramelize and take on a dark brown color, 8 to 10 minutes (this step is important as it will add tons of flavor to your soup!).
  • Stir in the tomato paste and garlic and cook, scraping up the brown bits, until the garlic is fragrant and slightly softened, 1 to 2 minutes. Add in the lentils, stock, 4 cups water, thyme, bay leaf, oregano, red pepper flakes, lemon zest, 2 teaspoons salt and a generous amount of black pepper and stir to combine. Bring to a boil then reduce the heat to low. Cover and cook until the lentils are softened with just a bit of bite, 25 to 30 minutes.
  • Remove the bay leaf. Puree 2 1/2 cups of the soup in a blender until smooth then stir back into the pot. Stir in the lemon juice and parsley. Ladle into bowls and garnish with more parsley.

LENTIL SOUP



Lentil Soup image

Giada De Laurentiis' easy Lentil Soup from Everyday Italian on Food Network is a perfect meal: fast, nutritious and delicious.

Provided by Giada De Laurentiis

Categories     main-dish

Time 1h10m

Yield 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 12

2 tablespoons olive oil, plus extra for drizzling
1 medium onion, chopped
2 carrots, peeled and chopped
2 celery stalks, chopped
2 garlic cloves, chopped
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 (14 1/2-ounce) can diced tomatoes
1 pound lentils (approximately 1 1/4 cups)
11 cups low-salt chicken broth
4 to 6 fresh thyme sprigs
2/3 cup dried elbow pasta
1 cup shredded Parmesan

Steps:

  • Heat the oil in a heavy large pot over medium heat. Add the onion, carrots, and celery. Add the garlic, salt, and pepper and saute until all the vegetables are tender, about 5 to 8 minutes. Add the tomatoes with their juices. Simmer until the juices evaporate a little and the tomatoes break down, stirring occasionally, about 8 minutes. Add the lentils and mix to coat. Add the broth and stir. Add the thyme sprigs. Bring to a boil over high heat. Cover and simmer over low heat until the lentils are almost tender, about 30 minutes.
  • Stir in the pasta. Simmer until the pasta is tender but still firm to the bite, about 8 minutes. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.
  • Ladle the soup into bowls. Sprinkle with the Parmesan, drizzle with olive oil, and serve.

15-MINUTE LENTIL SOUP



15-Minute Lentil Soup image

This is a fast, hearty soup for dinner; vegetarians can use vegetable broth.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Food & Cooking     Soups, Stews & Stocks     Soup Recipes

Time 15m

Number Of Ingredients 9

1 teaspoon extra-virgin olive oil
1/2 small onion, finely chopped
1 carrot, finely chopped
1 celery stalk, finely chopped
1 garlic clove, minced
Coarse salt and ground pepper
14.5 ounces low-sodium vegetable or chicken broth
3/4 cup cooked lentils (from a 15-ounce can), rinsed and drained
2 teaspoons red-wine vinegar

Steps:

  • In a medium saucepan, heat oil over medium. Add onion, carrot, celery, and garlic; season with salt and pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, until onion softens, 3 to 5 minutes. Add broth; bring to a boil and cook 5 minutes. Add lentils and cook until soup thickens slightly, 3 to 5 minutes. Stir in vinegar and season with salt and pepper.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 281 g, Fat 6 g, Fiber 16 g, Protein 19 g

EASY LENTIL STEW



Easy Lentil Stew image

This is a yummy Lentil Stew made with mostly what is in your pantry. It is only four servings so you won't have tons left over. Simple but delicious!

Provided by Mimi in Maine

Categories     One Dish Meal

Time 1h

Yield 4 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 11

1 cup dry lentils
3 1/2 cups chicken broth (I use College Inn)
1 (14 1/2 ounce) can of peeled Italian tomatoes (cut up)
1 cup peeled chopped potato
1/2 cup chopped carrot
1/2 cup chopped onion
1/2 cup chopped celery (optional)
1 tablespoon dried parsley
1 tablespoon dried basil (crushed)
1 garlic clove (minced)
1 dash pepper

Steps:

  • Rinse and drain the dry lentils.
  • In a saucepan combine the lentils, chicken broth, tomatoes, potatoes, carrots, celery, parsley, basil, garlic, and pepper.
  • Simmer for 45-50 minutes untils lentils and vegetables are tender, stirring occasionally.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 269.1, Fat 2.1, SaturatedFat 0.5, Sodium 677.8, Carbohydrate 44.3, Fiber 17.8, Sugar 6.2, Protein 19

EASY LENTIL SOUP



Easy Lentil Soup image

The earthy flavor of the lentils is set off by the tartness of the tomatoes and a spoonful of wine vinegar, which is stirred in just before serving the soup.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Food & Cooking     Soups, Stews & Stocks     Soup Recipes

Time 45m

Number Of Ingredients 12

1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil
3 carrots, chopped
2 stalks celery, sliced
1 onion, chopped
Salt and pepper
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
1 dried bay leaf
1 can (28 ounces) whole tomatoes, with their juice
4 cups water
1 cup lentils, picked over and rinsed well
1 tablespoon wine vinegar

Steps:

  • In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat oil over medium heat. Add carrots, celery, onion, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Cook until onion is translucent, about 5 minutes. Add garlic, thyme, and bay leaf, and cook until vegetables begin to soften, 2 to 3 minutes longer.
  • Add tomatoes with their liquid, breaking them up with a large spoon. Add water and lentils, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat, and simmer, partially covered, until lentils are tender, about 30 minutes. Just before serving, stir in vinegar.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 295 g, Fat 6 g, Protein 17 g

LENTIL SOUP



Lentil Soup image

Hearty lentil soup, chock full of veggies and very yummy. Serve with warm cornbread.

Provided by Bob Cody

Categories     Soups, Stews and Chili Recipes     Soup Recipes     Beans and Peas     Lentil Soup Recipes

Yield 6

Number Of Ingredients 15

1 onion, chopped
¼ cup olive oil
2 carrots, diced
2 stalks celery, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 bay leaf
1 teaspoon dried basil
1 (14.5 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
2 cups dry lentils
8 cups water
½ cup spinach, rinsed and thinly sliced
2 tablespoons vinegar
salt to taste
ground black pepper to taste

Steps:

  • In a large soup pot, heat oil over medium heat. Add onions, carrots, and celery; cook and stir until onion is tender. Stir in garlic, bay leaf, oregano, and basil; cook for 2 minutes.
  • Stir in lentils, and add water and tomatoes. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat, and simmer for at least 1 hour. When ready to serve stir in spinach, and cook until it wilts. Stir in vinegar, and season to taste with salt and pepper, and more vinegar if desired.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 348.6 calories, Carbohydrate 48.2 g, Fat 10 g, Fiber 22.2 g, Protein 18.3 g, SaturatedFat 1.4 g, Sodium 130.5 mg, Sugar 3.3 g

LENTIL SOUP



Lentil soup image

Enjoy this filling veggie soup with red lentils, carrots and leeks. It's low in calories and fat and delivers three of your 5-a-day

Provided by Member recipe by bevieevey

Categories     Lunch, Soup, Starter

Time 1h10m

Number Of Ingredients 5

2l vegetable or ham stock
150g red lentils
6 carrots, finely chopped
2 medium leeks, sliced (about 300g)
small handful of chopped parsley, to serve

Steps:

  • Heat the stock in a large pan and add the lentils. Bring to the boil and allow the lentils to soften for a few minutes.
  • Add the carrots and leeks and season (don't add salt if you use ham stock as it will make it too salty). Bring to the boil, then reduce the heat, cover and simmer for 45-60 mins until the lentils have broken down. Scatter over the parsley and serve with buttered bread, if you like.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 219 calories, Fat 3 grams fat, SaturatedFat 0.3 grams saturated fat, Carbohydrate 33 grams carbohydrates, Sugar 11 grams sugar, Fiber 9 grams fiber, Protein 12 grams protein, Sodium 1.4 milligram of sodium

CLASSIC LENTIL SOUP



Classic Lentil Soup image

Make and share this Classic Lentil Soup recipe from Food.com.

Provided by ratherbeswimmin

Categories     Lentil

Time 1h

Yield 4 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 11

1 cup dried lentils, washed and picked over
1 bay leaf
fresh thyme (several sprigs, or a few pinches of dried)
1 carrot, cut into 1/2 inch dice
1 stalk celery, cut into 1/2 inch dice
6 cups vegetable stock (vegetable stock preferred) or 6 cups water (vegetable stock preferred)
salt
fresh ground black pepper
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 onion, chopped
1 teaspoon minced garlic

Steps:

  • Add lentils, bay leaf, thyme, carrot, celery, and stock in a saucepan; sprinkle with salt and pepper.
  • Bring to a boil, then decrease heat to low and cook, stirring occasionally, until the lentils are tender, about 30 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, add olive oil to a small skillet over medium heat.
  • Add the onion and cook, stirring, until it softens, about 5 minutes.
  • Add in garlic and stir, then cook for 1 minute more and turn off heat.
  • When the lentils are tender, discard the bay leaf and thyme sprigs and stir the onion mixture into the soup.
  • Add more stock if the soup is too thick, then taste; adjust the seasoning and serve.

Tips for Making the Best Lentil Soup:

  • Use a variety of lentils. This will give your soup a more complex flavor and texture.
  • Rinse the lentils before cooking. This will remove any dirt or debris.
  • Cook the lentils in broth instead of water. This will add more flavor to the soup.
  • Add vegetables to the soup. This will make the soup more nutritious and flavorful.
  • Season the soup with salt, pepper, and other spices. This will help to bring out the flavors of the other ingredients.
  • Serve the soup with a side of bread or crackers. This will help to soak up the broth.

Conclusion:

Lentil soup is a delicious, healthy, and affordable meal that is perfect for a cold winter day. It is also a great way to use up leftover lentils. With so many different variations, there is sure to be a lentil soup recipe that everyone will enjoy. So next time you are looking for a quick and easy meal, give lentil soup a try. You won't be disappointed.

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