Straightforward Lentil Soup – A Couple Cooks

This straightforward lentil soup is barely 7 elements 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 section” 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 elements, plant-based, excellent for meal prep, and terribly scrumptious. We despatched it to a recipe tester who stated, “How is that this SO scrumptious AND really easy to make?” When you’re searching for straightforward, wholesome budget-friendly meals: it is a recreation changer.

Bounce to the recipe—now.

You solely want 7 elements 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 buddy with dietary restrictions, and after recipe testing I discovered this straightforward rule: a fantastic lentil soup recipe works even with out broth.

What, no vegetable broth, you say?

Bought vegetable broth could be costly, particularly if it’s a must 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 not often 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 elements you’ll want this straightforward lentil soup recipe (excluding that salt and water):

• Dried inexperienced or brown lentils: Keep away from different varieties of lentils for this soup recipe. Inexperienced and brown work the most effective (packages labeled “lentils” are normally one of many two). Purple lentils cook dinner sooner and will grow to be mushy, and French or black lentils don’t have the proper texture for this recipe.
• Carrot, celery, and onion: This widespread trio of fragrant soup greens offers 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 may mimic among the umami of meat).
• Olive oil: Olive oil is crucial for sautéing and browning the greens, although you can 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!)

In line with the New York Occasions, Mediterranean weight loss program tips counsel consuming legumes 2 to three instances per week. This lentil soup recipe is a straightforward and scrumptious strategy to do it!

A couple of garnish concepts

There are a number of non-compulsory garnish elements, however they’re not important for the flavoring. Finely chopped contemporary parsley provides a pleasant inexperienced shade, and in case 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 can be 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.

Ideas 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 stunned on the hearty, scrumptious taste: and it’s so satisfying and filling! Listed below are a number of ideas 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.
• In order for you it extra “brothy” add as much as 1 cup extra water with a number of pinches salt. Bear in mind, you’re making primarily a broth with water and salt, so it’s possible you’ll want so as to add a number of extra pinches of salt with any extra water.

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

This lentil soup recipe is so easy that when you attempt it, you’ll most likely put it proper into your common rotation! It’s the best vegetarian dinner and plant based mostly or vegan dinner thought. It’s a fantastic template recipe that you should use after which combine and match spices in keeping with what you’ve gotten readily available and what you’re craving. Listed below are a number of variations we’ve finished:

• Curry powder: Substitute the cumin with 2 to three teaspoons curry powder.
• Coconut milk: Need 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 right for meal prep as a result of it tastes even higher over time! We make up a giant batch for the week and it shops properly. It’s a fantastic wholesome dinner concept that’s vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free! Listed below are a number of make forward ideas:

• Make and retailer this lentil soup for as much as 1 week refrigerated. The flavour simply retains getting higher!
• The lentils absorb water throughout storage, so you’ll be able to add barely extra liquid. When you’re making this for meal prep, the lentils will absorb 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.

A couple of 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 strong quantity of protein. Add a salad and also you’ve bought a satisfying meal! Listed below are a number of sides we prefer to pair:

Or, browse these 20 cozy sides for soup for extra concepts! Tell us what you assume 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