Description
A hearty and flavorful lentil soup made with fresh vegetables, aromatic spices, and nutritious lentils, perfect for a comforting and healthy meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables & Aromatics
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 medium carrots, peeled and chopped
- 2 celery ribs, chopped
- 14-ounce can crushed or diced tomatoes
- 3 cups baby spinach, sliced into ribbons (or kale)
- 1 lemon, juiced (about 2 tablespoons)
Dry Ingredients & Spices
- 2 cups dry green or brown lentils
- 7 cups vegetable broth
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
Instructions
- Heat the oil: Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onions, garlic, carrots and celery. Cook, stirring frequently for about 5 minutes until the vegetables are softened.
- Add tomatoes and spices: Add the can of tomatoes with their juices, lentils, vegetable broth, cumin, coriander, and smoked paprika to the pot. Stir everything to combine well.
- Simmer the soup: Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for 30 minutes, until the lentils are tender and the soup has thickened. For a creamier texture, blend a few times in the pot with an immersion blender or blend 1-2 cups in a regular blender and return to the pot.
- Add greens and lemon: Stir in the sliced spinach and lemon juice. Allow the spinach to wilt for about a minute. Season with salt to taste and stir well before serving.
Notes
- This soup is delicious made in one pot, making cleanup quick and easy.
- For a creamier consistency, blend part or all of the soup before adding the spinach.
- You can substitute kale for spinach if preferred.
- Adjust the seasoning as needed to suit your taste.
- This recipe is budget-friendly and uses simple pantry staples.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 236 kcal
- Sugar: 7 g
- Sodium: 610 mg
- Fat: 4 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 16 g
- Protein: 13 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
