Description
A hearty and nutritious lentil soup packed with vegetables and spices.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 2 medium carrots, diced
- 2 stalks celery, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 1/2 cups dried brown or green lentils, rinsed
- 6 cups vegetable broth
- 1 14 ounce can crushed tomatoes
- 2 bay leaves
- 4 cups fresh baby spinach, roughly chopped
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes, optional
Instructions
- Warm the olive oil in a large heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat.
- Add the onion, carrots, and celery with a pinch of salt and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened and lightly golden, 6 to 8 minutes.
- Stir in the garlic and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Add the tomato paste, cumin, smoked paprika, and dried thyme and cook for 1 to 2 minutes, stirring often, to toast the spices and deepen the flavor.
- Stir in the lentils so they are coated in the tomato and spice mixture.
- Pour in the vegetable broth and crushed tomatoes, then add the bay leaves, kosher salt, and black pepper and stir to combine.
- Bring the soup to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to low, partially cover, and simmer for 25 to 30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the lentils are tender but still hold their shape.
- Remove the bay leaves, then stir in the spinach until just wilted.
- Add the lemon juice and red pepper flakes if using, then taste and adjust seasoning with more salt, pepper, or lemon juice as needed.
- If the soup is thicker than you like, thin it with a splash of water or extra broth, then ladle into bowls and serve warm.
Notes
- This soup can be frozen for later use.
- Adjust the seasoning to your taste.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Soups
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 15g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 0mg