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Homemade Lentil Soup Recipe

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★★★★★

4.5 from 122 reviews

This hearty and nutritious Homemade Lentil Soup combines tender lentils with aromatic spices, fresh vegetables, and a rich broth to create a comforting meal perfect for any season. Easy to prepare on the stovetop, this soup is flavorful, wholesome, and versatile, suitable for both vegetarians and meat-eaters depending on the choice of broth.

Ingredients

Scale

Broth and Liquids

  • 4 cups chicken broth (or vegetable broth)
  • 4 cups water
  • 28 ounces canned whole tomatoes (with juice, 1 can)

Vegetables

  • 3 carrots (diced)
  • 2 ribs celery (diced)
  • 1 onion (diced)
  • 3 cloves garlic (minced)

Legumes and Spices

  • 1 ½ cups lentils (brown, green or mixed)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon curry powder
  • ½ teaspoon cumin
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (or cilantro)

Instructions

  1. Sauté the aromatics: In a large pot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add diced onion, carrot, celery, and minced garlic. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion becomes softened and translucent, approximately 5 minutes.
  2. Add spices: Stir in the cumin and curry powder, cooking them for about 1 minute more until fragrant to enhance the soup’s flavor profile.
  3. Add liquids and tomatoes: Pour in the chicken or vegetable broth, water, and whole canned tomatoes with their juice. Use a spoon to break up the tomatoes evenly throughout the pot. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat.
  4. Simmer with lentils: Reduce the heat to low and add the lentils along with the bay leaf. Let the soup simmer uncovered for 1 hour, stirring occasionally. Add more broth if the soup becomes too thick and skim off any foam that forms on the surface.
  5. Finish and serve: Once the lentils are tender, discard the bay leaf. Stir in chopped fresh parsley or cilantro to add freshness and an herbaceous note before serving.

Notes

  • If you prefer a smoother texture, you can partially blend the soup with an immersion blender before adding the fresh herbs.
  • For a vegan version, use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.
  • Lentils may vary in cooking time depending on the type; adjust simmer time accordingly.
  • You can add a squeeze of lemon juice or a dash of vinegar to brighten the flavors just before serving.
  • Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or frozen for up to 3 months.

Keywords: lentil soup, homemade soup, vegetarian soup, healthy recipe, easy lentil soup, Mediterranean lentils, one-pot meal

Find it online: https://www.cheftara.com/homemade-lentil-soup-recipe/