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The Best Hearty Lentil Soup Recipe

Close-up of a white bowl filled with rich, brown lentil soup, visible chunks of carrots and tomatoes.
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Make this easy and hearty lentil soup for a comforting, nutritious weeknight dinner. This classic recipe uses accessible ingredients to create a deeply flavorful, satisfying meal.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 large yellow onion, chopped
  • 2 carrots, peeled and diced
  • 2 celery stalks, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 cup brown or green lentils, rinsed
  • 6 cups vegetable broth
  • 1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained
  • 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, or to taste
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice (optional, for serving)

Instructions

  1. Heat the olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat.
  2. Add the chopped onion, carrots, and celery. Cook for 5 to 7 minutes until the vegetables soften.
  3. Add the minced garlic, dried thyme, and smoked paprika. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
  4. Stir in the rinsed lentils, vegetable broth, diced tomatoes (with their juice), and the bay leaf.
  5. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 30 to 40 minutes, or until the lentils are tender.
  6. Remove and discard the bay leaf. Stir in the salt and pepper. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
  7. Stir in the fresh lemon juice just before serving, if using.

Notes

  • For a thicker soup, mash about one cup of the soup against the side of the pot with a spoon before serving.
  • This soup freezes well for future quick meals. Cool completely before transferring to freezer-safe containers.
  • Add 1 diced potato along with the carrots and celery for a heartier lentil and potato soup variation.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://kingscook.com/best-hearty-lentil-soup-recipe/