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Red Lentil Vegetable Soup
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4.77 from 171 votes

Red Lentil Soup Recipe With Vegetables

This red lentil soup recipe with vegetables is a healthy, hearty, satisfying meal in a bowl. Perfect for a weeknight meal served with crusty bread.
Prep Time7 minutes
Cook Time38 minutes
Total Time45 minutes
Course: Soup
Cuisine: Middle East
Servings (change as needed): 5

Ingredients

  • 3 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 large onion
  • 3 carrots, peeled
  • 2 celery stalks
  • 1 potato, peeled
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced (or 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder)
  • 2 tablespoon tomato paste
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin or curry powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • Optional: pinch of cayenne, chili powder and/or coriander seed
  • 4 cups (946ml) vegetable stock, broth or chicken broth (1 box)
  • 1 cup (237m) water
  • 1 cup (200g) red lentils
  • 1/2 large lemon (lemon zest and juice)
  • 1/4 cup (2 oz) chopped fresh parsley or cilantro

Instructions

  • PREPARE THE VEGETABLES: Dice carrots, onion, celery, potato.
    Shortcut: Cut vegetables into large chunks, put in food processor and pulse until roughly chopped.
  • SAUTE VEGETABLES, GARLIC: In a medium-large or large pot, heat oil to medium-high heat. Add vegetables and sauté until softened, about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add garlic and sauté another minute.
  • ADD SEASONINGS AND OTHER INGREDIENTS: Add tomato paste, cumin or curry powder, salt and pepper (and optional seasonings if using). Stir and cook for 2 minutes. Stir in broth, water and lentils.
  • COOK: Bring the soup to a boil. Lower to medium heat or medium-low heat to simmer. Cover pot partially and cook for 30 minutes or until lentils and vegetables are tender.
  • FINISH THE SOUP AND SERVE: Add lemon juice, lemon zest and parsley (or cilantro). Taste and adjust seasonings adding additional salt if needed. Serve with a drizzle of good olive oil on top and additional lemon wedges if desired.

Video

Notes

Substitutes
  • Substitute cilantro for the parsley. Here's a quick 101 on Herbs: The Bare Essentials.
  • Use a cup of diced tomatoes (no juice) instead of tomato paste
  • Use chicken broth instead of vegetable broth
Other variations
  • Add 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • Alter the seasonings to your taste
  • Add more broth to make it a thinner soup
  • Puree all or part of the soup with an immersion blender
  • Omit the lemon
Make Ahead:
  • Red lentil and vegetable soup can be frozen for a couple of months in an airtight container. We like to freeze it in smaller lunch-size portions.
Calories: 273kcal | Carbohydrates: 38g | Protein: 12g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 1074mg | Potassium: 773mg | Fiber: 14g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 6879IU | Vitamin C: 22mg | Calcium: 65mg | Iron: 5mg