on Oct 31, 2022, Updated Oct 27, 2023
Why You’ll Love The Best Lentil Soup
This recipe is so customizable. It can actually be completely plant-based if you omit the 🥓 bacon, which we often do, so feel free to adjust and make it according to your liking. You can also adjust the seasoning to your taste and preferences, which makes it a personalized and delicious dish that the whole family will enjoy. This soup is beyond easy to make. Whether you’re an experienced cook or a beginner, you’ll enjoy making this lentil soup from scratch. If you’re wondering about the health factor of this soup, I can’t rave enough about it. Lentils are so healthy! They are high in protein and other essential nutrients. Don’t be worried about whether or not this soup will fill you up, I can tell you it will be so satisfying!
How To Prepare The Best Lentil Soup
Soak the lentils in 💦 cold water for at least one hour and then rinse and drain. In a large pot on the stove, heat oil and finely chopped 🥓 bacon until crispy on medium heat. You can discard most of the bacon fat or leave some in the pan, it’s up to ❤️ you! Once the bacon is cooked, add finely diced veggies (onions, celery, carrots) and sauté until soft. Then, stir in 🧄 garlic, oregano, salt, pepper, and paprika to taste. Remember to adjust the salt as needed; as I always say – measure with your heart and remember that you can always add more salt, but you can’t take it away! After you’ve sautéed the garlic for one minute, add in the tomato paste and stir. Then, add the strained lentils, tomato sauce, vegetable broth, and 💦 water to the pot. Bring it to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium-low and cook until the lentils are soft (approximately 35-40 minutes). Finally, remove the pot from heat and stir in a handful of finely chopped fresh 🌿 parsley. Now your soup is ready to enjoy!
Substitutes and Variations
Make this soup your own by creating a vegetarian version or by adding even more protein with some meat. As always, let me know if you try any variations or adjustments in the comments. I love hearing from you!
You can definitely make this a vegetarian dish by omitting the 🥓 bacon. I do it all the time and it is just as delicious. Feel free to substitute the vegetable broth with chicken or beef broth. Want to boost the health factor of this already healthy soup? Add more 🥬 veggies! You could include 🫑 bell peppers, zucchini, or spinach. Looking for more of a 🌶️ kick to your soup? You can certainly add some chili powder or red pepper flakes to make a 🔥 spicier version. In addition, you could add cumin or coriander to your soup to change the flavors up.
Best Served With
For a complete and hearty meal, consider serving this lentil soup with some delicious homemade bread. Here are some of my favorites:
No-Knead Peasant Bread No-Knead Gluten-Free Bread Cheesy Roasted Garlic Bread Grandma’s No-Knead Olive Bread No-Knead Focaccia
Similar Recipes
If you’re interested in comforting soups, don’t forget to explore other similar soup recipes on my blog:
Lasagna Soup Greek Lemon Soup Easy Pastina Soup Hidden Veggie Orzo Soup Healthy Cream of Broccoli Soup Healthiest Cream of Hidden Veggie Soup Hidden Veggie Meatball Soup Chicken Noodle Soup
Common Questions
