Hearty Lentil Soup Vegetables (Printable version)

Protein-packed lentils with seasonal vegetables and warming spices in a flavorful broth.

# What You'll Need:

→ Legumes

01 - 1 cup dried brown or green lentils, rinsed

→ Vegetables

02 - 1 medium onion, diced
03 - 2 carrots, peeled and diced
04 - 2 celery stalks, diced
05 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
06 - 1 medium zucchini, diced
07 - 1 cup chopped tomatoes, fresh or canned
08 - 2 cups spinach or kale, chopped

→ Liquids

09 - 6 cups vegetable broth
10 - 2 tablespoons olive oil

→ Spices & Seasonings

11 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
12 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
13 - 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
14 - 1 bay leaf
15 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

→ Optional Garnish

16 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
17 - Lemon wedges for serving

# How To Make:

01 - Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add onion, carrots, and celery. Sauté for 5 minutes until softened.
02 - Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
03 - Stir in cumin, smoked paprika, and thyme. Cook for 30 seconds.
04 - Add lentils, chopped tomatoes, vegetable broth, and bay leaf. Stir to combine.
05 - Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer. Cover and cook for 20 minutes.
06 - Add diced zucchini and simmer for 10 minutes until lentils and vegetables are tender.
07 - Stir in spinach or kale and cook for 2-3 minutes until wilted.
08 - Remove bay leaf. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
09 - Ladle into bowls and garnish with fresh parsley and a squeeze of lemon if desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It tastes even better the next day when the spices have had a chance to mingle and deepen.
  • You can throw in almost any stray vegetable from your cupboard and it still turns out perfectly.
02 -
  • Lentils can vary in age so always check them for tenderness a few minutes before the timer goes off.
  • Adding salt too early can sometimes toughen the skins of the beans so wait until they are soft.
03 -
  • Rinse your lentils in a fine mesh strainer to remove any dust or tiny pebbles before cooking.
  • Always zest the lemon before cutting it if you want an extra punch of citrus oils in the bowl.
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