This straightforward lentil soup is simply 7 components and easy to meal prep as a lunch or dinner recipe! It’s one among our prime low cost and scrumptious wholesome meal prep concepts.

Yearly I’m going by way of a “lentil soup section” the place I eat the identical soup on repeat as a result of it’s straightforward, satisfying, and intensely economical. Some years it’s been this curry lentil soup, or others this purple lentil soup or the smoky lentil soup from this cookbook I authored. However I’ve simply found the lentil soup that outshines all of them: it’s solely 7 components, plant-based, excellent for meal prep, and terribly scrumptious. We despatched it to a recipe tester who mentioned, “How is that this SO scrumptious AND really easy to make?” Should you’re in search of straightforward, wholesome budget-friendly meals: it is a recreation changer.

Soar to the recipe—now.

You solely want 7 components for this lentil soup

We’ve developed a number of lentil soup recipes through the years: this one with a tomato-based broth, one with curry, one with purple lentils, and an Italian lentil soup. However this new recipe is our favourite but. I created it for a pal with dietary restrictions, and after recipe testing I realized this easy rule: an ideal lentil soup recipe works even with out broth.

What, no vegetable broth, you say?

Bought vegetable broth may be costly, particularly if you must purchase two quarts of it for a single recipe. This lentil soup is simply as satisfying as soups with broth utilizing solely water and salt! We not often run throughout this with a vegetarian or vegan soup, since broth helps to infuse that savory taste that’s lacking with out meat. There are 7 components you’ll want this straightforward lentil soup recipe (excluding that salt and water):

• Dried inexperienced or brown lentils: Keep away from different kinds of lentils for this soup recipe. Inexperienced and brown work one of the best (packages labeled “lentils” are often one of many two). Pink lentils cook dinner quicker and will turn into mushy, and French or black lentils don’t have the proper texture for this recipe.
• Carrot, celery, and onion: This widespread trio of fragrant soup greens offers the earthy taste to this soup.
• Garlic: Contemporary garlic is at all times key to a savory taste of a soup, particularly if it’s vegetarian or vegan (it may possibly mimic among the umami of meat).
• Olive oil: Olive oil is important for sautéing and browning the greens, although you could possibly swap in butter or ghee if desired.
• Cumin: Cumin provides savory, earthy notes that make for an easy but intriguing taste. (It additionally tastes nice with double the amount of curry powder!)

In line with the New York Occasions, Mediterranean eating regimen tips counsel consuming legumes 2 to three instances per week, and this soup recipe is an easy and scrumptious approach to do it.

Add an non-obligatory garnish or two!

There are a couple of non-obligatory garnish components, however they’re not important for the flavoring. Finely chopped recent parsley provides a pleasant inexperienced shade, and should you’d like you may add freshly floor black pepper. Our favourite is to garnish with grated Pecorino cheese so as to add a pop of salt. To maintain it vegan, you may substitute vegan Parmesan cheese.

Different garnishes which might be at all times scrumptious: a dollop of Greek yogurt (or cashew cream, for vegan). Some soups want it for taste, however this one can stand alone.

Suggestions for making this lentil soup recipe

This lentil soup recipe is an easy matter of chopping greens, sauteing them, then including lentils and simmering for half-hour. There’s no want for particular tools: only a pot and some greens. You’ll be stunned on the hearty, scrumptious taste: and it’s so satisfying and filling! Listed here are a couple of ideas for the method:

• Begin with 9 cups of water for simmering. We like a soup that could be very lentil-heavy, with only a little bit of broth so this quantity of liquid typically works nicely for us.
• In order for you it extra “brothy” add as much as 1 cup extra water with a couple of pinches salt. Keep in mind, you’re making basically a broth with water and salt, so you could want so as to add a couple of extra pinches of salt with any extra water.

The one lentil soup recipe you’ll want

This lentil soup recipe is so easy that when you attempt it, you’ll most likely put it proper into your common rotation! It’s the best vegetarian dinner and plant based mostly or vegan dinner thought. It’s an ideal template recipe that you should use after which combine and match spices in line with what you have got available and what you’re craving. Listed here are a couple of variations we’ve completed:

• Curry powder: Substitute the cumin with 2 to three teaspoons curry powder.
• Coconut milk: Need a creamy spin? Stir in ½ can full fats coconut milk, or extra to style.
• Potatoes: Add 1 small diced, peeled potato and add it to the greens after sautéing 5 minutes. Sauté for 3 extra minutes earlier than persevering with the remaining steps.

Meal prep and make forward notes

This lentil soup recipe is good for meal prep as a result of it tastes even higher over time! We make up a giant batch for the week and it shops nicely. It’s an ideal wholesome dinner concept that’s vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free! Listed here are a couple of make forward ideas:

• Make and retailer this lentil soup for as much as 1 week refrigerated. The flavour simply retains getting higher!
• The lentils absorb water throughout storage, so you may add barely extra liquid. Should you’re making this for meal prep, the lentils will absorb some liquid over time: you may merely add a splash of water and a pinch of salt to your bowl earlier than serving.
• You too can freeze lentil soup. Place it in an hermetic container and freeze for as much as 3 months.

5 sides to make it a meal

This lentil soup is extra filling than most of our vegetarian and vegan dinner recipes, since lentils have a strong quantity of protein. Add a salad and also you’ve acquired a satisfying meal! Listed here are a couple of sides we prefer to pair:

Or, browse these 20 cozy sides for soup for extra concepts! Tell us what you assume within the feedback: we hope you’ll discover it’s a easy meal prep thought for lunch or dinner.

Extra lentil soup recipes we love