Hearty Lentil Soup (Vegan-Friendly, One-Pot)

Hearty Lentil Soup (Vegan-Friendly, One-Pot)

KEY INFO:

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30-45 minutes
• Total Time: 45-60 minutes
• Servings: 4-6
• Difficulty: Easy
• Dietary: Vegan, Gluten-free, Dairy-free

EQUIPMENT NEEDED:

• Large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot
• Sharp knife and cutting board
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Wooden spoon
• Immersion blender (or regular blender)

INGREDIENTS:

Base:

• 2 cups (400g) brown or green lentils, rinsed
• 1 large onion, diced (about 1½ cups)
• 3 medium carrots, diced (about 1½ cups)
• 3 celery stalks, diced (about 1 cup)
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 tablespoons (30ml) olive oil
• 1 can (400g/14oz) diced tomatoes
• 6 cups (1.4L) vegetable broth

Seasonings:

• 2 teaspoons ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Optional: ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes

Finishing touches:

• 2 cups fresh spinach or kale
• Juice of 1 lemon
• Fresh parsley for garnish

METHOD:

1. Heat oil in Dutch oven over medium-high heat
2. Add onions, carrots, and celery. Sauté for 8-10 minutes until softened and lightly browned
3. Add garlic, cumin, paprika, and thyme. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant
4. Pour in lentils, tomatoes, and broth. Bring to a boil
5. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 30-45 minutes until lentils are tender
6. Remove 2 cups of soup and blend until smooth. Return to pot
7. Stir in greens and cook for 2-3 minutes until wilted
8. Finish with lemon juice, salt, and pepper to taste

CRUCIAL TIPS:

• Always rinse lentils before cooking to remove debris
• Don’t skip sautéing vegetables – it builds essential flavor
• Check lentils at 30 minutes – cooking time varies by variety
• Add more broth if soup becomes too thick

STORAGE & VARIATIONS:

Storage:

• Refrigerate up to 5 days
• Freezes well for up to 3 months
• Will thicken when cold – thin with broth when reheating

Variations:

• Spice it up with curry powder or smoked paprika
• Add coconut milk for creaminess
• Include diced potato for extra heartiness
• Top with nutritional yeast for cheesy flavor (vegan)

Common Mistakes:

• Over-cooking lentils until mushy
• Under-seasoning – taste and adjust at the end
• Skipping acid (lemon) which brightens flavors
• Not stirring occasionally during cooking