Print
clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon

The Best Lentil Soup


  • Author: WAFA LI

Ingredients

  • Brown lentils — 250 g 🥣
  • Olive oil — 2 tbsp 🍶
  • Onion, chopped — 1 medium 🧅
  • Carrot, diced — 2 medium 🥕
  • Celery stalks, diced — 2 stalks 🥬
  • Garlic cloves, minced — 3 cloves 🧄
  • Tomato paste — 2 tbsp 🍅
  • Crushed tomatoes (canned) — 400 g 🍅
  • Vegetable broth — 1.2 L 🥣
  • Bay leaf — 1 leaf 🍃
  • Ground cumin — 1 tsp 🌿
  • Paprika — 1 tsp 🌶️
  • Salt — 1.5 tsp 🧂
  • Black pepper — 1/2 tsp 🌶️
  • Lemon juice — 1 tbsp 🍋
  • Fresh parsley, chopped — 2 tbsp 🌿
  • Water (optional) — 100 ml 💧

Instructions

  1. Rinse lentils under cold water and set aside.
  2. Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.
  3. Add chopped onion, carrot and celery; sauté until softened, about 5–7 minutes.
  4. Stir in minced garlic and tomato paste; cook 1 minute until fragrant.
  5. Add crushed tomatoes, rinsed lentils, vegetable broth and bay leaf.
  6. Season with cumin, paprika, salt and pepper; stir to combine.
  7. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 25–30 minutes until lentils are tender.
  8. Remove bay leaf; for a creamier texture, mash a portion of the soup or blitz with an immersion blender.
  9. Stir in lemon juice and chopped parsley; adjust seasoning to taste.
  10. Serve hot with crusty bread or a squeeze more lemon if desired.