Easy Lentil Soup (Vegan & Spiced)
By Jessica Hylton - - Updated
This Easy Lentil Soup is loaded with delicious spices and very simple to put together. It tastes wonderful alone or as a side dish and is vegan, gluten free and loaded with whole food ingredients.
LENTIL SOUP VIDEO:
I’ve never been much of a soup person, but since 2017 that has changed quite a lot. In the last three weeks I’ve made cauliflower soup, even more vegan chili, and now this Easy Lentil Soup. Soup has become a staple ingredient for me weekly, and this soup definitely is in the top 5 soups I have had in ages. It’s chockfull with a divine list of vegetables, is perfectly spiced with indian spices, and is very filling. This soup can do no wrong in my books.
Funnily enough, this idea for this soup came out of necessity. After making all that broth for my me homemade vegetable broth post (and because life), I had loads left over. The meals on this week’s meal prep list did not include any veggie broth required recipes except quinoa. This left me with uh, 8 cups of broth. YUP. So what’s a girl to do?
Dig through her pantry.
I knew I wanted to make a soup. What I came up with was some lentils from my Vegan Meatloaf post tied up and waiting to be used. I’ve never made lentil soup on the blog and I have been trying to incorporate it into way more posts. It’s loaded with protein and unlike most legumes, it kind of seamlessly blends into whatever you put it in. Check, and check. Let’s make lentil soup!
The process for this soup came about from my cauliflower soup. I am obsessed with blended soups (tomato bisques are my weakness) but I knew I couldn’t blend ALL of these veggies down. I wanted the veggies to shine through, but I still wanted my blended-ness (Is this a word?). So, why not blend some of the soup? Fortunately my little experiment worked out beautifully – you get a beautifully loaded lentil soup with all the veggies, but it isn’t thin at all. I love it. As for the veggies, I literally just used up what I had in my fridge. Er, don’t ask what I have 26 ounces of tomatoes in my fridge. I love tomatoes.
After perusing this post by Bon Appetit (and my perusing I mean taking notes because yes I do that on learning food sites still like a little nerd) I felt inspired to take an Indian spiced approach to this recipe. Which is where I took some knowledge from my coconut chickpea curry recipe and added garam masala. It’s the only powdered spice in the whole recipe, but it goes such a long way. It brings out all the flavours, without making this taste like a curry soup. Also, because I know how amazing tomatoes are for texture, and lime for bringing out even more flavours, I added those in too.
Uh, this is going amazingly so far.
My last step to the soup would be add in ALL that veggie broth. That’s where we started, remember? Using a WELL flavoured veggie broth is an amazing idea for this soup. For that reason, I say after everything is said and done, taste it to see if you want more salt. It’s a LOT of lentil soup, but works so well if you’re meal prepping or serving a crowd.
Well, I can now tick that off of my vegetarian blog necessary list. Add some crusty bread to this to soak up some of that divine flavour, and some red pepper flakes for a lovely kick. You will not regret devouring this!
P.S. Here are some of the items I used to make this recipe if you’d like to use them too:
| WHAT YOU’LL NEED // SHOP MY FAVORITE INGREDIENTS & PREP PRODUCTS |
Vegan Pantry Staple Recipes - Easy Lentil Soup
This Easy Lentil Soup is loaded with delicious spices and very simple to put together. It tastes wonderful alone or as a side dish and is vegan, gluten free and loaded with whole food ingredients.
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 large red onion diced
- 4 stalks celery diced
- 1 large carrot or two medium size carrots diced
- 5 cloves garlic minced
- 26 ounces/737g fresh tomatoes chopped - you can also use a 28oz can diced tomatoes and drain the liquid
- 1 cup 7.1 ounces/200g dried brown lentils, picked over, rinsed and dried
- 1 tablespoon garam masala
- salt & pepper to taste I use 3/4 teaspoon sea salt and 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 6 cups vegetable broth
- 2-3 sprigs thyme to be removed at the end
- 1 cup kale roughly chopped
- Juice of two limes about 2 tablespoons, squeezed over
- Toppings Optional: Oil drizzle, red wine vinegar, red pepper flakes, parsley, and/or sprinkle of zaatar Crusty bread
Instructions
Instructions
- In a large, deep pot over medium high heat, add half the olive oil (1.5 tablespoons) to heat.
- Add the onions, celery, carrot and minced garlic. Stir together and allow to sweat for about 8 minutes, to soften and release natural juices from the veggies.
- Add in the tomatoes, brown lentils, garam masala and salt and pepper. Stir together. Pour in the vegetable broth, and add the thyme and stir again.
- Bring to a boil, and then to a simmer for 30 minutes, until lentils are fully cooked.
- Remove the thyme. Scoop out two cups of soup (with liquid) and pour into your blender. If you have a glass blender, ensure it cools down a bit first!
- Press the soup setting or blend until fully blended out. Pour back into soup pot and mix the soup together one more time to combine everything.
- Add in kale and lime juice and stir to combine.
- Serve the soup and top with your favourite toppings and enjoy!
Video
NOTES
This soup lasts about 4 to 5 days in the fridge. It freezes very well. To freezer allow to cool completely. You can freeze in a freezer safe tupperware container, or flat in one serving portions in a freezer safe zipped plastic bag. It will last at least 2 months in the freezer. 
If you try this Easy Lentil Soup (Vegan) please let me know in the comment section below, or tag me on instagram with the hashtag #jessicainthekitchen! For more exclusive recipes follow me on Instagram AND on Snapchat: jessinkitchen.
If you try this Easy Lentil Soup (Vegan) please let me know in the comment section below, or tag me on instagram with the hashtag #jessicainthekitchen! For more exclusive recipes follow me on Instagram AND on Snapchat: jessinkitchen.Nutrition
Calories: 223kcal | Carbohydrates: 30g | Protein: 9.4g | Fat: 7.6g | Fiber: 6.7g | Sugar: 7.1g
by Jessica
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Amazing soup! It became our house favourite, and our guests turned into its huge fans as well! Many thanks 🙂
The lentil soup recipe is the best I ever had. Thanks for sharing. It’s very flavorful.
I just made this absolutely delicious lentil soup and had some and went back for more!! I have made many lentil soups and must say this one is at the top of my list for deliciousness!! However next time I may add more carrot and celery or maybe a diced potato as mine didn’t turn out as thick the picture but I’m sure it did not affect the taste….Gotta say it is more time “soooooo good”!! Thank you for the sharing 🙂
Another success by me via Jessica… every one of your recipes is fool proof and have come out great. My 4 kids (adults) are vegan and Jessica you have been a lifesaver… I’m not the greatest cook but you make it so easy to look like a superstar… I cannot thank you enough
Sincerely
Phyllis
I’m so happy to hear this Phyllis!! You’re so very welcome!!
Wonderful flavor!! Another recipe win by Jessica in the Kitchen! Please know that you are now my weekly meal plan inspiration. I had the chickpea curry for the last two weeks, and now in to the lentil soup for this week 🙂
Thank you for keeping my kitchen bright and healthy.
Hi Alexandria,
Awww I am so, so happy to hear that!! I hope you continue to enjoy cooking!!
Jessica, this recipe is SO GOOD! I’ve made it twice now. My roommates loved it too – they kept asking for more 🙂 I’m looking through your other dishes now looking for another one pot recipe. Love that these are affordable, easy and with nice spice. Thank you!
-Lyla
Hi Lyla,
So happy to hear this and so glad you all enjoyed!! You’re so welcome and thanks so much for your feedback! I hope you enjoy my other dishes too!
This soup is fantastic and so flavourful! I added some red pepper flakes to give it a little heat. I love how you recommend blending some of the soup, as it thickens it up and gives it a wonderful texture! Recipe is a keeper! Thanks Jessica!
Thank you for this nice comment!
I wanted to add to the comments about how AWESOME this recipe is. It is simple and delicious and the lime adds such an excellent flavor!! I really love your page, Jessica! Thank you for the recipes!!
Wow thank you Nikki! We’re so happy that you like Jessica’s recipe and our page!
Wonderful recipe! thank you! and have a question: 1 cup is 200 ml or 250 ml? soup is very spicy (garam macala). I use 1 cup is 200 ml, may be if more water is not so spicy?? and at the other time put less than 1 table spoon)) (a half)
Hi Darya! 1 cup is 240ml. I hope this will help!
Thank you for your positive review Darya!
Omw this lentil soup is to die for! I will never make any other lentil soup again! It’s that amazing! I didn’t have fresh thyme so used dry and it was fine. My teenage boys loved it as well! Thank you for another great recipe Jessica!