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The Ultimate Hearty Lentil Soup (Classic & Customizable)

A close-up of a steaming white bowl filled with hearty lentil soup, visible carrots, and celery.
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This recipe delivers a deeply satisfying, protein-packed lentil soup that is easy to make for a weeknight dinner. It uses simple pantry staples and cooks quickly, making it a budget-friendly and nourishing meal.

Ingredients

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  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 large yellow onion, chopped
  • 2 carrots, diced
  • 2 celery stalks, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 1 cup brown or green lentils, rinsed
  • 6 cups vegetable broth (or chicken broth)
  • 1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper (or to taste)
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • Optional additions: 1 cup diced potato, 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, 1/2 cup chopped fresh spinach

Instructions

  1. Heat the olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the onion, carrots, and celery. Cook until the vegetables soften, about 5 to 7 minutes.
  2. Add the minced garlic, thyme, oregano, cumin, and red pepper flakes (if using). Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
  3. Stir in the rinsed lentils, vegetable broth, diced tomatoes, bay leaf, salt, and pepper. If you are adding potato, add it now.
  4. Bring the mixture to a boil, then immediately reduce the heat to low, cover the pot partially, and simmer for 30 to 40 minutes, or until the lentils are tender. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
  5. Remove and discard the bay leaf. Stir in the fresh lemon juice. If using spinach, stir it in during the last 2 minutes of cooking until wilted.
  6. Taste the soup and adjust salt and pepper as needed. Serve hot with crusty bread.

Notes

  • For an Italian Lentil Soup variation, add 1 teaspoon of Italian seasoning with the other dried herbs and include a splash of red wine vinegar at the end.
  • To make this a thicker soup, mash about 1 cup of the cooked lentils against the side of the pot with a spoon before serving.
  • This is a great recipe for meal prep; the flavor deepens overnight.

Nutrition

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