Description
Grandma’s Lentil Soup is a cozy, nourishing meal made with simple pantry staples like carrots, celery, lentils, and herbs. This hearty vegetarian soup is rich in flavor and perfect for meal prep, with comforting textures and a bright finish of lemon and parsley. Ideal for chilly nights or when you need a soul-warming bowl, this easy lentil soup is a timeless classic your whole family will love.
Ingredients
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 medium yellow onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 large carrots, diced
2 celery stalks, diced
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1 cup dried green or brown lentils
6 cups vegetable broth
2 bay leaves
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 teaspoon salt
0.5 teaspoon black pepper
0.25 teaspoon red pepper flakes
2 tablespoons lemon juice
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
1. Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add chopped onions, carrots, and celery. Cook for 6-8 minutes until softened.
2. Stir in garlic and tomato paste. Cook for another 2 minutes until fragrant.
3. Add dried lentils, vegetable broth, bay leaves, thyme, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes if using. Bring to a boil.
4. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 30-35 minutes until lentils are tender. Stir occasionally.
5. Remove bay leaves. Stir in lemon juice and top with chopped parsley before serving.
Notes
For deeper flavor, let the soup rest overnight in the fridge before serving.
You can use canned lentils to save time; just reduce simmering time.
Add a swirl of coconut milk or throw in some spinach for extra nutrition.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 cups
- Calories: 215
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 570mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 12g
- Protein: 11g
- Cholesterol: 0mg