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easy lentil soup recipe

Healthy & Easy Lentil Soup Recipe

Lentil soup is one of those recipes I never get tired of making. It’s cozy, filling, and packed with flavor, but also healthy enough that you can feel good about going back for seconds.
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Servings: 2 servings
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

For about 6 servings
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 large onion, diced
  • 3 carrots, diced
  • 3 celery stalks, diced
  • 4 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 teaspoon salt plus more to taste
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme or 1 tablespoon fresh
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika optional but delicious
  • 1 ½ cups dried brown or green lentils, rinsed
  • 1 can diced tomatoes 14.5 oz
  • 6 cups vegetable broth or chicken broth if you prefer
  • 2 cups chopped spinach or kale optional, for extra greens
  • Juice of ½ a lemon about 1 tablespoon
  • Optional garnish: fresh parsley, Parmesan cheese, or a drizzle of olive oil

Method
 

Saute the Base
  1. In a large soup pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion, carrots, and celery and cook for about 5–7 minutes, until softened. Stir in the garlic and cook for another 30 seconds, just until fragrant.
Add the Spices
  1. Sprinkle in the salt, pepper, cumin, thyme, and smoked paprika. Stir well so the vegetables are coated — this helps toast the spices and deepen the flavor of the soup.
Add the Lentils and Broth
  1. Pour in the rinsed lentils, diced tomatoes (with their juices), and broth. Stir everything together, scraping up any bits from the bottom of the pot.
Simmer
  1. Bring the pot to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and let it simmer gently for about 30–35 minutes. The lentils should be tender but not mushy.
  2. Give it a stir every now and then and add a splash of water if it looks too thick.
Add the Greens
  1. If you’re using spinach or kale, stir it in during the last 5 minutes of cooking. The greens will wilt beautifully and add freshness to the soup.
Brighten It Up
  1. Right before serving, squeeze in the lemon juice and stir. It makes the flavors pop and balances the earthy lentils.