Easy and super tasty, this is the best lentil soup recipe
Lentil soup is definitely not sexy.
In fact, it’s pretty ugly.
But this easy, one-pot lentil soup recipe doesn’t need to be sexy. It’s just dang good.
Use any lentils and simple spices to make this mouth-watering, tummy-filling meal. And it’s 100% plant-based without feeling like it’s vegan (if you know what I mean).
Any blender will do. Make it!
And if you’d like to see how easy it is, here’s us making it as part of our 3 Middle Eastern Vitamix Recipes video (see 50:58) featuring falafel and traditional hummus recipes.
Story of this soup (circa 2017): Lentil soup -- bona fide comfort food?
I use lentil soup like a hug from my mom.
Let me explain.
Everyone knows that visiting the dentist is NOT fun. Even routine cleanings are uncomfortable.
So my reward for getting my gums prodded teeth cleaned? A trip to our local Mediterranean joint, Sultan’s, for a big bowl of lentil soup. It’s:
- Warm.
- Hearty.
- Filling (in a good way).
Plain and simple, it’s comforting.
Now, lentil soup is not always made dairy-free. But since we keep our Vitamix vegan, this blender-finished soup definitely is.
Go make a batch of this lentil soup today!
Other Noteworthy Versions
- Cookie and Kate: Spiced Vegan Lentil Soup
- Serious Eats: Vegan Lentil Soup
Recipe
Lentil Soup
This one-pot lentil soup recipe is simply the best.
Carrots, Celery, Cumin, Lentils, Onion, Tomatoes, Vegetable Broth,Ingredients:
- olive oil - 1 Tbsp.
- onion - 1/2 cup chopped
- celery - 1/2 cup chopped
- carrot - 1/2 cup chopped
- salt - 1 tsp.
- lentils - 1/2 lb. (8 oz) rinsed
- tomatoes - 1/2 cup chopped
- vegetable broth - 1 quart
- cumin - 1 tsp.
- thyme - 1/4 tsp.
- cardamom - 1/4 tsp.
- curry - 1/4 tsp.
Instructions:
PREP
- Add olive oil to a large pot and heat (use water for WFPB)
- Once heated add chopped onions, carrots, celery, and salt
- Cook for 8 minutes (or until onions are translucent)
- Add lentils, tomatoes, vegetable broth, and spices
- Bring to a boil
- Cover, reduce heat, and cook for 30-40 min (until lentils are tender)
BLEND
- Let your mixture cool for 15 min (safe, but optional)
- Add 1/4 to 3/4 of the mixture to your blender container
- Blend on low for 10 seconds
- Pour half of what you blended back into the pot with the unblended mixture
- Blend what is left in the container on high for another 10-15 seconds until smooth
SERVE
- Add double-blended mixture back to the pot (you should have 3 textures)
- Reheat
- Snap a picture and tag #lifeisnoyoke
- Enjoy!
Useful tips for Lentil Soup
Cumin is the main spice used in this recipe. But the rest of the spices are optional. You can vary the rest of the spices based on what you have in your pantry. Coriander, thyme, curry, red pepper flakes, etc are all optional. Add them all if you can (but don't fret if you have to leave some of them out).
Some restaurants serve lentil soup fully blended, some not blended at all. Around here we like varying textures (hence our instructions) but the texture is up to you!
You can blend a portion in a traditional blender or with an Immersion Blender (review).
Instapot instructions: Start on saute mode and after adding all the ingredients, pressure cook on high for 15 minutes.
You can make this WFPB by sauteeing the vegetables in water.
Garnish with something colorful like parsley and crushed red pepper. Lentil soup is not the most appetizing even though it's delicious!
So good!
Even my “I hate lentils” husband said it was very, very good…perfect seasonings.
I used the Vitamix immersion blender.
The texture was perfect.
Reminded me of a Lebanese restaurant I used to go to for my birthday lunch (when I was still working) specifically for their lentil soup (and my b-day is tomorrow).
Next to try the falafel.
Thanks to both of you for all your work and sharing with us.
So good!
Even my “I hate lentils” said it was very, very good…perfect seasonings.
I used the Vitamix immersion blender.
The texture was perfect.
Reminded me of a Lebanese restaurant I used to go to for my birthday lunch (when I was still working) specifically for their lentil soup (and my b-day is tomorrow).
Next to try the falafel.
Thanks to both of you for all your work and sharing with us.
I just made it. This recipe is a winner. I goofed up the blending instructions and put the Vitamix on high and it was all pureed in about 1 second, so mine is just bi-texture this time. Thanks for another easy and delish healthy recipe.
The tri-texture is nice but not a deal breaker at all. It’s however you like it (and how much time you have to play with it.) Glad you liked it!
Good soup. Instant Pot—I started on saute mode and after adding all the ingredients, pressure cooked on high for 15 minutes. The entire process took less than an hour, start to finish.
Thank you Heather! I’m going to add this to the post itself
Thyme, cardamom and curry…the optionals. Should I only add one or should I add all 3? Or make it without any the first time?
I have never had lentil soup to my knowledge but someone just gave me 3 lbs of the dry red lentils.
All three! We said optional just to make it less intimidating for those just jumping in. Leave any of those out if you must, but add them all if you can!
This lentil soup recipe is the absolute best!! Definitely my favorite soup, hands down. And the “optional” spices listed? Yeah, those make this recipe over-the-top good! That being said… I’ve recently discovered that I get an allergic reaction from tomatoes. *gasp!* Yeah, so that stinks. But, I set out to make my favorite lentil soup, omitting the tomatoes. Without them, the soup was extraordinarily rich! Delicious, but needed some acid to brighten it up. So, after the cooking & blending, I squeezed the juice from 1 lime into the pot before reheating & serving. & Pow! It. Was. Amazing!! Suuuuper close in flavor! So… if there’s anyone else out there like me, who can’t really have tomatoes, I thought I would share the outstanding modification I made! Your recipe is still #1, but I’m sooo happy to know I can enjoy it without a side of Benadryl, lol!
Thanks so much for sharing, Courtney: you got it down to a science. Glad you could find such a nice substitute without sacrificing the flavor!
can the vitamix make hot lentil soup (or any other bean/pea) using raw uncooked dry beans? It seems as though the need to cook the beans for 30-40 mins as listed in the instructions goes against one of the main reasons to have the vitamix (hot soup in 6 mins). I’m just wondering. Have not purchased mine yet but doing a ton of research. Thanks:)
There are several soups you can make start to finish in the Vitamix. Tomato soup being one. 🙂
To make an already ugly soup even uglier, last night I added some vegan hot dog slices to my lentil soup. Less form, more function, for sure. But overall, pretty good (and quick).
I agree! Poor lentil soup is not pretty at all…but it is so good! 🙂