Hearty Lentil Soup (Printable)
Comforting lentil soup with carrots, celery, tomatoes and cumin; vegan, gluten-free, and ready in about an hour.
# What You'll Need:
→ Vegetables and Aromatics
01 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
02 - 1 large onion, finely chopped
03 - 2 carrots, diced
04 - 2 celery stalks, diced
05 - 3 garlic cloves, minced
06 - 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes, drained
→ Legumes
07 - 1½ cups dried brown or green lentils, rinsed
→ Liquids
08 - 6 cups vegetable broth
09 - 1 bay leaf
→ Seasonings and Finish
10 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
11 - ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
12 - ½ teaspoon ground coriander
13 - ½ teaspoon black pepper
14 - Salt, to taste
15 - Juice of 1 lemon
16 - Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
# Directions:
01 - Heat olive oil in a large soup pot over medium heat. Add onion, carrots, and celery. Sauté for 5-7 minutes until vegetables are softened and onions turn translucent.
02 - Stir in garlic, cumin, smoked paprika, and coriander. Cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly, until fragrant.
03 - Add rinsed lentils, drained diced tomatoes, vegetable broth, bay leaf, black pepper, and salt. Stir to combine and bring to a rolling boil.
04 - Reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered for 35-40 minutes, stirring occasionally, until lentils are fully tender.
05 - Remove and discard the bay leaf. Stir in fresh lemon juice and adjust salt and pepper to taste.
06 - For a creamier consistency, partially blend the soup using an immersion blender, leaving some lentils whole for texture.
07 - Ladle into bowls and serve hot, garnished with freshly chopped parsley.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- It costs almost nothing to make yet tastes like it simmered all day at a restaurant that cares about you.
- Every single spoonful balances earthy, smoky, and bright flavors without any cream or complicated technique.
02 -
- Salt added too early will toughen the lentils and extend your cooking time by a frustrating fifteen minutes, so hold off until the end.
- Lentils vary wildly in age and cooking time depending on how long they sat on a shelf, so start checking for tenderness at the thirty minute mark rather than relying on the clock alone.
03 -
- A pinch of chili flakes stirred in right before serving adds a gentle heat that makes each bowl feel a little more alive without overpowering the comfort factor.
- Drizzling good olive oil over each bowl at the table adds a richness that makes this humble soup taste like it came from a kitchen that takes itself seriously.