Simple Lentil Soup – A Couple Cooks

This straightforward lentil soup is barely 7 substances and easy to meal prep as a lunch or dinner recipe! It’s one among our high low cost and scrumptious wholesome meal prep concepts.

Yearly I am going by way of a “lentil soup part” the place I eat the identical soup on repeat as a result of it’s straightforward, satisfying, and intensely economical. Some years it’s been this curry lentil soup, or others this crimson lentil soup or the smoky lentil soup from this cookbook I authored. However I’ve simply found the lentil soup that outshines all of them: it’s solely 7 substances, plant-based, excellent for meal prep, and terribly scrumptious. We despatched it to a recipe tester who mentioned, “How is that this SO scrumptious AND really easy to make?” In case you’re in search of straightforward, wholesome budget-friendly meals: this can be a sport changer.

Bounce to the recipe—now.

You solely want 7 substances for this lentil soup

We’ve developed a number of lentil soup recipes over time: this one with a tomato-based broth, one with curry, one with crimson lentils, and an Italian lentil soup. However this new recipe is our favourite but. I created it for a good friend with dietary restrictions, and after recipe testing I discovered this easy rule: an important lentil soup recipe works even with out broth.

What, no vegetable broth, you say?

Bought vegetable broth could be costly, particularly if it’s important to purchase two quarts of it for a single recipe. This lentil soup is simply as satisfying as soups with broth utilizing solely water and salt! We hardly ever run throughout this with a vegetarian or vegan soup, since broth helps to infuse that savory taste that’s lacking with out meat. There are 7 substances you’ll want this straightforward lentil soup recipe (excluding that salt and water):

• Dried inexperienced or brown lentils: Keep away from different forms of lentils for this soup recipe. Inexperienced and brown work the most effective (packages labeled “lentils” are often one of many two). Pink lentils prepare dinner quicker and will change into mushy, and French or black lentils don’t have the appropriate texture for this recipe.
• Carrot, celery, and onion: This widespread trio of fragrant soup greens provides the earthy taste to this soup.
• Garlic: Recent garlic is all the time key to a savory taste of a soup, particularly if it’s vegetarian or vegan (it could actually mimic a few of the umami of meat).
• Olive oil: Olive oil is important for sautéing and browning the greens, although you may swap in butter or ghee if desired.
• Cumin: Cumin provides savory, earthy notes that make for a simple but intriguing taste. (It additionally tastes nice with double the amount of curry powder!)

Based on the New York Occasions, Mediterranean weight loss plan pointers counsel consuming legumes 2 to three occasions per week, and this soup recipe is a straightforward and scrumptious method to do it.

Add an non-compulsory garnish or two!

There are a couple of non-compulsory garnish substances, however they’re not important for the flavoring. Finely chopped contemporary parsley provides a pleasant inexperienced coloration, and in the event you’d like you’ll be able to add freshly floor black pepper. Our favourite is to garnish with grated Pecorino cheese so as to add a pop of salt. To maintain it vegan, you’ll be able to substitute vegan Parmesan cheese.

Different garnishes which are all the time scrumptious: a dollop of Greek yogurt (or cashew cream, for vegan). Some soups want it for taste, however this one can stand alone.

Suggestions for making this lentil soup recipe

This lentil soup recipe is a straightforward matter of chopping greens, sauteing them, then including lentils and simmering for half-hour. There’s no want for particular tools: only a pot and some greens. You’ll be shocked on the hearty, scrumptious taste: and it’s so satisfying and filling! Listed here are a couple of suggestions for the method:

• Begin with 9 cups of water for simmering. We like a soup that could be very lentil-heavy, with only a little bit of broth so this quantity of liquid typically works properly for us.
• If you need it extra “brothy” add as much as 1 cup extra water with a couple of pinches salt. Keep in mind, you’re making primarily a broth with water and salt, so you might want so as to add a couple of extra pinches of salt with any further water.

It’s the one lentil soup recipe you’ll want—and you may combine it up!

This lentil soup recipe is so easy that after you attempt it, you’ll in all probability put it proper into your common rotation! It’s the best vegetarian dinner and plant primarily based or vegan dinner thought. It’s an important template recipe that you need to use after which combine and match spices in response to what you’ve available and what you’re craving. Listed here are a couple of variations we’ve carried out:

• Curry powder: Substitute the cumin with 2 to three teaspoons curry powder.
• Coconut milk: Desire a creamy spin? Stir in ½ can full fats coconut milk, or extra to style.
• Potatoes: Add 1 small diced, peeled potato and add it to the greens after sautéing 5 minutes. Sauté for 3 extra minutes earlier than persevering with the remaining steps.

Meal prep and make forward notes

This lentil soup recipe is good for meal prep as a result of it tastes even higher over time! We make up an enormous batch for the week and it shops properly. It’s an important wholesome dinner concept that’s vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free! Listed here are a couple of make forward suggestions:

• Make and retailer this lentil soup for as much as 1 week refrigerated. The flavour simply retains getting higher!
• The lentils take in water throughout storage, so you’ll be able to add barely extra liquid. In case you’re making this for meal prep, the lentils will take in some liquid over time: you’ll be able to merely add a splash of water and a pinch of salt to your bowl earlier than serving.
• You may as well freeze lentil soup. Place it in an hermetic container and freeze for as much as 3 months.

Just a few sides to make it a meal

This lentil soup is extra filling than most of our vegetarian and vegan dinner recipes, since lentils have a stable quantity of protein. Add a salad and also you’ve received a satisfying meal! Listed here are a couple of sides we prefer to pair:

Or, browse these 20 cozy sides for soup for extra concepts! Tell us what you suppose within the feedback: we hope you’ll discover it’s a easy meal prep thought for lunch or dinner.

Extra lentil soup recipes we love