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Hearty Lentil Vegetable Soup

Hearty lentil vegetable soup recipe in a rustic bowl with fresh parsley garnish.

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A comforting and nourishing one-pot soup, perfect for cold weather. It features tender lentils and vegetables in a flavorful broth, finished with a bright splash of vinegar or lemon juice. This easy, meatless meal is both satisfying and budget-friendly.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 large yellow onion, diced
  • 3 medium carrots, peeled and diced
  • 3 celery stalks, diced
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
  • 1 cup brown or green lentils, rinsed and picked over
  • 6 cups vegetable broth
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 4 cups chopped hearty greens (kale, spinach, or Swiss chard)
  • 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar or fresh lemon juice
  • Fresh parsley, for garnish

Instructions

  1. Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven or pot over medium heat. Add onion, carrot, and celery. Cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, 8-10 minutes.
  2. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Stir in crushed tomatoes, thyme, smoked paprika, and oregano. Cook for 2-3 minutes.
  3. Pour in vegetable broth and add bay leaves. Increase heat to medium-high and bring to a gentle simmer.
  4. Once simmering, stir in the rinsed lentils. Reduce heat to maintain a low simmer. Partially cover and cook for 25-30 minutes, until lentils are tender.
  5. Remove bay leaves. Stir in chopped greens and let wilt, 2-3 minutes for kale or 1 minute for spinach. Remove pot from heat.
  6. Stir in red wine vinegar or lemon juice. Taste and season generously with salt and pepper. Serve garnished with fresh parsley.

Notes

For best texture, always add lentils to already simmering broth. The acid (vinegar or lemon) at the end is essential for bright flavor. Soup thickens as it sits; thin with broth or water when reheating.

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