Description
Lentil soup is a nutritious and comforting dish packed with flavor, perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a satisfying lunch.
Ingredients
- Green lentils: 1 cup, rinsed and drained
- Carrots: 2 medium, diced
- Celery: 2 stalks, diced
- Onion: 1 medium, chopped
- Garlic: 3 cloves, minced
- Vegetable broth: 4 cups
- Diced tomatoes: 1 can (14.5 oz)
- Bay leaves: 2
- Dried thyme: 1 teaspoon
- Salt and pepper: to taste
- Olive oil: 2 tablespoons (for sautéing)
Instructions
- Prepare the vegetables by washing, peeling, and dicing the carrots, celery, and onion, and mincing the garlic.
- In a large pot, heat olive oil over medium heat and sauté the chopped onion until translucent.
- Add minced garlic, diced carrots, and celery, cooking for another 5 minutes.
- Stir in the rinsed green lentils, vegetable broth, diced tomatoes, bay leaves, and dried thyme.
- Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to low and let it simmer for 30-35 minutes.
- Remove bay leaves, season with salt and pepper, and add optional ingredients like balsamic vinegar or lemon juice before serving.
- Ladle the soup into bowls and enjoy with fresh herbs or a drizzle of olive oil.
Notes
- Rinse lentils before cooking to remove dust.
- Avoid overcooking lentils to maintain texture.
- Season generously as lentils absorb flavors.
- Remove bay leaves before serving.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 5g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 12g
- Protein: 10g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: Lentil soup, healthy soup, vegan recipe, comfort food