Hearty & Healthy Lentil Soup
This comforting and nutritious lentil soup is a staple for a reason. Made with simple, wholesome ingredients like green lentils, fresh vegetables, and savory broth, it's incredibly easy to prepare and perfect for a cozy, healthy meal on any day of the week. Naturally vegetarian and bursting with flavor, it's a dish that satisfies both body and soul.
Ingredients
- 1 cup dried green lentils
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 onion chopped
- 2 carrots sliced or diced
- 2 celery stalks diced
- 3 garlic cloves minced
- 1 can diced tomatoes (14.5 oz)
- 6 cups vegetable broth
- 0.5 tsp dried thyme
- 1 bay leaf
- 0.5 tsp salt
- 0.25 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley chopped
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add chopped onion, carrots, and celery. Cook, stirring occasionally, until vegetables soften, about 5-7 minutes.
- Stir in minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- Add the rinsed green lentils, undrained diced tomatoes, vegetable broth, dried thyme, and bay leaf to the pot. Bring the mixture to a boil.
- Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 35-45 minutes, or until lentils are tender. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Remove the bay leaf. Season the soup with salt and black pepper to taste. If the soup is too thick, add a little more broth or water.
- Serve hot, garnished with fresh parsley if desired. Enjoy your hearty and healthy lentil soup!
Notes
For extra depth of flavor, you can add a splash of balsamic vinegar or a squeeze of lemon juice at the end. Feel free to stir in some fresh spinach or kale during the last 5 minutes of cooking. This soup freezes well for future meals; simply thaw and reheat gently on the stovetop. For a non-vegetarian version, you can substitute vegetable broth with chicken broth.