Go Back
An overhead shot of a thick and hearty easy lentil soup, showing the texture of the lentils, carrots, and celery.

Lentil Soup Recipe: The Ultimate Guide to Hearty, Cozy Flavor

The ultimate Lentil Soup Recipe! This simple, one-pot recipe is incredibly hearty, healthy, and packed with rich, savory flavor. Learn the secrets to making the best, most comforting lentil soup from scratch with everyday ingredients.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 50 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner, Lunch, Main Course, Soup
Cuisine: American, Mediterranean
Calories: 285
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 2 tbsp Olive Oil extra virgin
  • 1 large Onion finely chopped
  • 2 large Carrots peeled and finely chopped
  • 2 stalks Celery finely chopped
  • 4 cloves Garlic minced
  • 1.5 cups Brown or Green Lentils rinsed and drained
  • 8 cups Vegetable Broth low sodium
  • 1 can (14.5 oz) Diced Tomatoes undrained
  • 1.5 tsp Ground Cumin
  • 1 tsp Ground Coriander
  • 1/2 tsp Smoked Paprika
  • 1 tsp Dried Thyme
  • 1 Bay Leaf
  • 1 tsp Salt or to taste
  • 1/2 tsp Black Pepper freshly ground, or to taste
  • 1/4 cup Fresh Parsley chopped, for garnish
  • 1 tbsp Lemon Juice optional, for finishing

Equipment

  • 1 Large Dutch oven or pot
  • 1 Cutting Board
  • 1 Chef's Knife

Method
 

  1. Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium heat. Add onion, carrots, and celery. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 8-10 minutes until softened. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 more minute until fragrant.
  2. Stir in the ground cumin, coriander, smoked paprika, and dried thyme. Cook for 30-60 seconds, stirring constantly, until the spices are aromatic.
  3. Pour in the vegetable broth and the can of diced tomatoes (with their juice). Add the rinsed lentils and the bay leaf. Stir to combine. Increase heat to bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 40-50 minutes, or until lentils are tender.
  4. Remove the bay leaf. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Stir in the fresh parsley and optional lemon juice.
  5. Ladle the hot soup into bowls and serve immediately.

Notes

Rinse your lentils! This is an important step to remove any dust or small debris.
Don't overcook the lentils. You want them to be tender but still hold their shape for the best texture.
For a thicker soup, use an immersion blender to partially blend the soup, or simply simmer it uncovered for an extra 10-15 minutes.