AuthorThis simple lentil soup has solely 7 components and is simple to make as a lunch or dinner recipe! It is considered one of our greatest concepts for affordable and scrumptious wholesome meal prep.
Yearly I am going by means of a “lentil soup section” the place I eat the identical soup repeatedly as a result of it is simple, satisfying, and so economical. Some years it was curried lentil soup, different years purple lentil soup, or the smoked lentil soup from this cookbook I wrote. However I simply discovered the Lentil soup wins arms down: it is solely 7 components, vegetarian, good for meal prep, and completely scrumptious. We despatched it to a recipe tester who mentioned, “How is that this so scrumptious and simple to make?” When you’re searching for simple, wholesome, budget-friendly meals: that is it Sport changer.
Go to the recipe – now.
You solely want 7 components for this lentil soup
We have developed a number of lentil soup recipes through the years: this one options tomato broth, one with curry, one with purple lentils, and one with Italian lentil soup. However this new recipe is our favourite to this point. I made it for a good friend who has dietary restrictions, and after testing the recipe I discovered this straightforward rule: This excellent lentil soup recipe works even with out broth.
What, no vegetable broth, you say?
Bought vegetable broth could be costly, particularly if it’s important to purchase two liters of it for one recipe. This lentil soup is simply as satisfying as a soup with broth utilizing solely water and salt! We not often encounter this with a vegetarian soup, as a result of the broth helps impart that savory taste you are lacking with out meat. There are 7 components you’ll need for this simple lentil soup recipe (excluding salt and water):
- Dried inexperienced or brown lentils: Keep away from different forms of lentils on this soup recipe. Inexperienced and brown work finest (packages labeled “lentils” are normally one of many two). Purple lentils cook dinner sooner and may turn into mushy, and neither French nor black lentils have the best texture for this recipe.
- Carrots, celery, and onions: This mixed trio of fragrant vegetable soup offers the earthy taste to this soup.
- garlic: Contemporary garlic is all the time key to the scrumptious taste of a soup, particularly if it is vegetarian (it could mimic among the umami of meat).
- olive oilOlive oil is critical for frying and browning greens, and you may change it with butter or ghee if you want.
- cumin: Cumin provides scrumptious earthy notes that create a transparent and fascinating flavour. (It additionally tastes nice with double the quantity of curry powder!)
In line with the New York Occasions, the Mediterranean Eating regimen Pointers counsel consuming legumes 2 to three occasions per week, and this soup recipe is an easy and scrumptious approach to do exactly that.
Add an non-compulsory appetizer or two!
There are a couple of non-compulsory garnish components, however they don’t seem to be important for taste. Finely chopped contemporary parsley provides a wonderful inexperienced coloration, and if you want you’ll be able to add contemporary floor black pepper. Our favourite is to garnish it with grated pecorino cheese so as to add a bit salt. To maintain it vegan, you’ll be able to change it with vegan Parmesan cheese.
One other always-delicious garnish: a dollop of Greek yogurt (or cashew cream for vegans). Some soups want it for taste, however this one can stand by itself.
Suggestions for making ready lentil soup recipe
This lentil soup recipe is an easy matter of chopping and sauteing the greens, then including the lentils and simmering for half-hour. No particular gear is required: only a bowl and a few greens. You will be stunned by the scrumptious, scrumptious taste: it is so satisfying and filling! Listed below are some suggestions for this course of:
- Begin with 9 cups of water to boil. We like soups which are very lentil-heavy, with a bit broth, so this quantity of liquid works nicely for us.
- If you’d like extra “gravy” add as much as 1 cup of water with a pinch of salt. Keep in mind that you’re making a broth primarily of water and salt, so it’s possible you’ll want so as to add a bit salt with any extra water.
The one lentil soup recipe you may ever want
This lentil soup recipe is so easy that after you strive it, you may in all probability put it in your common rotation! It is the right vegetarian and vegan dinner concept. It is an excellent pattern recipe that you should utilize after which combine and match the spices relying on what you may have and what you are craving. Listed below are among the variations we made:
- Curry powder: Change the cumin with 2 to three teaspoons of curry powder.
- coconut milk: Desire a creamy spin? Add half a can of full-fat coconut milk, or extra as desired.
- potato: Add one peeled potato, reduce into small cubes and add it to the greens after frying for five minutes. Fry for a further 3 minutes earlier than persevering with with the remaining steps.
Put together a meal and take advance notes
This lentil soup recipe is ideal for meal prep as a result of it tastes higher over time! We make a giant batch for the week and so they retailer nicely. It is an excellent wholesome dinner concept that’s vegan and gluten-free! Listed below are some advance suggestions:
- Put together and retailer lentil soup for as much as one week within the fridge. The flavour simply retains getting higher!
- Lentils soak up water throughout storage, so you’ll be able to add a bit extra liquid. When you’re making this for meal prep, the lentils will soak up among the liquid over time: you’ll be able to merely add a bit water and a pinch of salt to your bowl earlier than serving.
- You can even freeze lentil soup. Place in an hermetic container and freeze for as much as 3 months.
5 sides to make it a meal
This lentil soup is extra filling than most vegetarian dinner recipes, as lentils comprise a big quantity of protein. Add a salad and you have a satisfying meal! Listed below are some elements we prefer to pair with:
Or browse these 20 comforting sides for soup for extra concepts! Tell us what you suppose within the feedback: We hope you discover it a easy lunch or dinner meal prep concept.
Extra lentil soup recipes we love
This lentil soup recipe…
Vegetarian, vegan, dairy-free, and gluten-free.
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This simple lentil soup is made with solely 7 components (excluding salt and water) and is simple to make as a lunch or dinner recipe! It is considered one of our greatest concepts for affordable and scrumptious wholesome meal prep.
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 Finely chopped celery stalks
- 2 Finely chopped carrots
- 1 Finely chopped onion
- 2 Garlic cloves
- 1 tablespoon Kosher salt
- 9 to 10 Water cups
- 1 1 pound (16 ounces) dried inexperienced or brown lentils
- 1 teaspoon Floor cumin*
- Optionally available garnish: finely chopped parsley, freshly floor black pepper, grated pecorino cheese
- In a big Dutch oven pot, warmth olive oil over medium-high warmth. Add celery, carrots, onion, and garlic and sauté for five to six minutes till tender.
- Add water, lentils and cumin. Deliver to a simmer and simmer for half-hour till the lentils are tender. Add ½ to 1 extra cup of water as wanted. Style and add extra salt as desired
- Serve instantly or refrigerate for meal prep: The soup will last as long as per week refrigerated, and leftovers style even higher. The leftovers could soak up extra of the broth, so you’ll be able to add a bit extra water and a pinch of salt if it turns into too thick.
Notes
*If desired, you’ll be able to change the spices. This soup is nice with 2 to three teaspoons of curry powder (and half a can of coconut milk, when you like). You can even substitute different spices similar to dried tarragon, dried oregano, and extra
- class: the Maine plate
- highway: 100 cannons
- kitchen: soup
- Eating regimen: vegetarian
Key phrases: Lentil soup, lentil soup recipe, simple lentil soup