Simple Lentil Soup – A Couple Cooks

This simple lentil soup is simply 7 elements and easy to meal prep as a lunch or dinner recipe! It’s one in all our high low cost and scrumptious wholesome meal prep concepts.

Yearly I’m going by way of a “lentil soup section” the place I eat the identical soup on repeat as a result of it’s simple, satisfying, and very economical. Some years it’s been this curry lentil soup, or others this pink 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?” Should you’re on the lookout for simple, wholesome budget-friendly meals: this can be a recreation changer.

Leap 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 pink 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 straightforward 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 elements you’ll want this simple 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 normally one of many two). Crimson lentils prepare dinner quicker and will grow to be mushy, and French or black lentils don’t have the correct texture for this recipe.
• Carrot, celery, and onion: This widespread trio of fragrant soup greens provides the earthy taste to this soup.
• Garlic: Contemporary garlic is at all times key to a savory taste of a soup, particularly if it’s vegetarian or vegan (it may possibly mimic among the umami of meat).
• Olive oil: Olive oil is crucial for sautéing and browning the greens, although you might swap in butter or ghee if desired.
• Cumin: Cumin provides savory, earthy notes that make for an easy but intriguing taste. (It additionally tastes nice with double the amount of curry powder!)

Based on the New York Occasions, Mediterranean weight-reduction plan tips counsel consuming legumes 2 to three occasions per week, and this soup recipe is an easy and scrumptious approach to do it.

Add an non-obligatory garnish or two!

There are a number of non-obligatory 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 possibly can 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 possibly can substitute vegan Parmesan cheese.

Different garnishes which can be at all times 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 an easy matter of chopping greens, sauteing them, then including lentils and simmering for half-hour. There’s no want for particular gear: 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 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 usually works nicely for us.
• If you need it extra “brothy” add as much as 1 cup extra water with a number of pinches salt. Keep in mind, you’re making primarily a broth with water and salt, so chances are 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 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 concept. It’s an important template recipe that you should utilize after which combine and match spices based on what you have got available and what you’re craving. Listed here are a number of variations we’ve carried out:

• 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 an enormous batch for the week and it shops nicely. It’s an important wholesome dinner concept that’s vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free! Listed here 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 possibly can add barely extra liquid. Should you’re making this for meal prep, the lentils will absorb some liquid over time: you possibly can merely add a splash of water and a pinch of salt to your bowl earlier than serving.
• You can too freeze lentil soup. Place it in an hermetic container and freeze for as much as 3 months.

A number 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 stable quantity of protein. Add a salad and also you’ve obtained a satisfying meal! Listed here are a number of sides we wish 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 concept for lunch or dinner.

Extra lentil soup recipes we love