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Home » Recipes » Vegetarian

Vegetarian Lentil Soup Recipe

Published: Jan 18, 2023 · Modified: Jun 14, 2023 by Debra Clark · 16 Comments

Jump to Recipe

Vegetarian Lentil Soup Recipe is filled with crunchy vegetables, hearty lentils and it's super easy to make in just 30 minutes! Put this into your weekly dinner rotation!

If you love this meal, be sure and try this easy potato soup recipe next!

Vegetarian Lentil Soup Recipe
Vegetarian Lentil Soup Recipe - a quick 30 minute meal.
Jump to:
  • Why you'll love this recipe
  • Ingredients
  • Instructions
  • FAQ's
  • Deb's tips
  • More of my favorite Vegetarian Soups
  • Related recipes
  • 30 Minute Vegetable Lentil Stew

Why you'll love this recipe

✔️ It takes only 30 minutes to make.

✔️ It's a healthy, hearty, delicious meal!

✔️ Vegetable soups are a great choice because they are affordable, flavorful and so delicious like this recipe for Potato Soup.

You know that soups and stews are my go-to meal. I can eat them all year long. I always say soup is good food!

Ingredients

  • yellow onion, carrot, celery, zucchini, green beans, garlic - loads of fresh vegetables!
  • green lentils - quick cooking green lentils only take about 20 minutes to cook.
  • fire roasted tomatoes - canned tomatoes add another layer of flavor.
  • vegetable stock - you can certainly use water but I recommend using stock.
  • dried Italian seasoning, turmeric, salt, black pepper and a bay leaf - do you have all the seasonings you need? If you don't have turmeric, you consider substituting saffron or yellow curry.
  • olive oil - to sauté the vegetables.
Diced vegetables on cutting board.
Dice the vegetables
Sauté the vegetables.
Sauté' veggies with seasoning.

Instructions

  1. You'll get started by chopping the vegetables - a carrot, celery, onion, green beans, zucchini. Don't have green beans? Use asparagus. No carrots? You can substitute potatoes.
  2. Dice each vegetable into a small ½ dice. Not only will they cook evenly, but that way when you scoop up a big spoonful of soup you will get each ingredient in every bite!
  3. You'll sauté the vegetables with the spices for about five minutes, then add the lentils, next a can of fire roasted tomatoes and vegetable stock. Bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer and in fifteen minutes or so, dinner is done!

FAQ's

Are lentils good for you?

Lentils are a great choice, they are low in fat and high in fiber. It's a great choice!

How do you thicken lentil soup?

Another great way to thicken the soup is to remove about a ladle of soup and add it to the blender and blend until creamy and pour it back into the soup!

How long does it take lentils to cook?

Green lentils will take 15-20 minutes to soften.

Deb's tips

Dice the vegetables in a small, uniform dice. Being the same size helps ensure they will cook evenly and be done at about the same time.

When you're at the store and purchasing lentils for your soup, check the cooking time.

  • green lentils take less time to cook than red lentils.
  • Sprouted lentils take less time. If you have more time, then you can certainly switch it up and experiment,
Quick Lentil Soup with Vegetables in gray bowl with spoon.
Quick Lentil Soup is an easy vegetarian Meal ready in just 30 minutes.

More of my favorite Vegetarian Soups

Love lentils? Me too! Here are a couple more delicious lentil meals -

  • Golden Lentil Soup (another great 30 minute meal!)
  • Lentil and Sausage Soup - with sausage and sweet potatoes - great combination and so yummy!
  • This Instant Pot Lentil Soup is quick to make and amazing!

Related recipes

  • Here are a few more to try! Easy Carrot Soup - this recipe is a great way to use up extra carrots AND delicious!
  • Broccoli Cheese Soup - this was my Grandma's favorite soup.
  • Yummy Homemade Brown Bean Soup is so soul-soothing and delicious!
  • Be sure to try the Vegetarian Asparagus Soup Recipe, guilt-free and delicious!

There's nothing better than a great comforting meal! You might also like this easy Alphabet Soup Recipe next.

Quick Lentil Soup with Vegetables in gray bowl with spoon.
5 from 7 votes

30 Minute Vegetable Lentil Stew

What's for dinner tonight? You can have this amazing Vegetable Lentil Stew on the table in less than 30 minutes! It's hearty and flavorful. It freezes great too! 
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Prep Time10 minutes mins
Cook Time15 minutes mins
Total Time25 minutes mins
Course: Lunch or Dinner
Cuisine: American #Vegan #Vegetarian
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 186kcal
Author: Deb Clark
Cost: $10

Equipment

  • Stock Pot

Ingredients

  • 1 yellow onion diced
  • 1 carrot, peeled if desired diced
  • 1 stalk celery diced
  • 1 small zucchini diced
  • 1 handful fresh green beans diced (about ½ cup)
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 ¼ cups green lentils rinsed and drained
  • 1 14.5 oz. can fire roasted tomatoes
  • 4 cups vegetable stock
  • 2 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
  • ½ teaspoon turmeric
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil

Instructions

  • Start by dicing the vegetables into a ½ inch dice. Mince the garlic.
  • Heat a large stock pot over medium heat on the stove. When it's hot add the diced vegetables. Also add the Italian seasoning, turmeric, pepper and bay leaf. (Do not add the salt until the end of the cooking process. Adding it before will toughen the beans.) Saute for four minutes until the vegetable just begin to soften.
  • Add the lentils and the garlic. Saute for another minute.
  • Now add the canned tomatoes - juice and all. After this addition, scrape up all the bits on the bottom of the pan. You'll want all of that flavor! Add the vegetable stock next. Increase the heat to high and bring to a boil. After it comes to a good rolling boil, decrease the heat to medium and simmer uncovered for 10-12 minutes longer or until the lentils are cooked thru. 
  • Remove the bay leaf before serving. Add salt to taste. Finish with a squeeze of lemon and fresh diced parsley (totally optional) - adding these ingredients at the end brightens the flavor of the stew and is always a great finishing touch! Serve and enjoy!!

Notes

What goes good with lentil soup?

Corn bread, super yummy! I love it made in a cast iron skillet with all crunchy crust! Dinner Rolls of course - this recipes is easy to make, YUM!

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    Nutrition

    Calories: 186kcal | Carbohydrates: 30g | Protein: 10g | Fat: 2g | Sodium: 1032mg | Potassium: 534mg | Fiber: 13g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 2240IU | Vitamin C: 9.8mg | Calcium: 53mg | Iron: 3.4mg
    First Published: October 2016 Last Updated: February 26, 2020

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    • A bowl filled with lentil barley soup with a hunk of bread dunking into the broth.
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    About Debra Clark

    Hey I'm Deb Clark, and I'm the owner of Bowl Me Over! We live in the sleepy little town of Scappoose, Oregon. And I admit it... I love food! Join me in this foodie journey (even if you've never cooked before!) I will help you learn to be confident in the kitchen! Want to learn more? Let's stay connected, you can email me at debra@bowl-me-over.com and find me on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube.

    Comments

      5 from 7 votes (1 rating without comment)

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Julie Menghini says

      February 26, 2020 at 6:35 pm

      5 stars
      My family loves this recipe. It's so full of flavor a great way to use lentils!

      Reply
      • Bowl Me Over says

        February 27, 2020 at 1:19 pm

        Thank you Julie!!

        Reply
    2. Sarah says

      May 11, 2017 at 4:04 am

      Stew in 30 minutes? Not only does it look and sound amazing, but it seems like it'll be the perfect busy-weeknight meal! LOVE!

      Reply
      • Bowl Me Over says

        May 11, 2017 at 8:34 am

        I agree Sarah! 🙂 Love an easy quick meal, thank you!!

        Reply
    3. Jane @ littlesugarsnaps says

      May 11, 2017 at 2:18 am

      5 stars
      Sounds like a fun time you had. Lentils work so well in stews and soups don't they - I'm loving your addition of turmeric here.

      Reply
      • Bowl Me Over says

        May 11, 2017 at 8:35 am

        We had a blast, I definitely recommend the conference. Yes the turmeric adds pumps up all the goodness that comes with lentils, such a winner!!

        Reply
    4. Claire@foodiequine says

      May 10, 2017 at 11:44 pm

      5 stars
      The conference sounded fun, it's always great to catch up with fellow bloggers. I too love lentils, great tip about checking cooking time for various types of lentils. Gorgeous quick, healthy lunch.

      Reply
      • Bowl Me Over says

        May 11, 2017 at 9:04 am

        Thank you Claire! I didn't realize lentils had different cooking times either until I started using them a couple years ago - they are such a great addition to a meal!

        Reply
    5. Luci's Morsels says

      May 10, 2017 at 10:42 pm

      5 stars
      Yummy! This looks delicious and I wish I knew how fantastic this smells. I love how easy this looks to make and I cannot wait to try this recipe. Thanks for sharing! Luci’s Morsels | fashion. food. frivolity.

      Reply
      • Bowl Me Over says

        May 11, 2017 at 9:04 am

        I agree Luci, we definitely need smell-a-vision! 😀 Enjoy that bowl of stew!!

        Reply
    6. Jessica (Swanky Recipes) says

      May 10, 2017 at 9:42 pm

      I'm always looking for vegetarian food to make the family. Can't wait to try this recipe out on Sunday, yum!

      Reply
      • Bowl Me Over says

        May 11, 2017 at 9:05 am

        Me too Jessica and it's a challenge to serve a meal that "fills them up" when family members are used to a different type of protein. Lentils definitely meat (play on words!) that challenge!! 😀

        Reply
    7. Liza says

      May 09, 2017 at 1:05 am

      5 stars
      Oh, I LOVE lentils! And this beautiful meal is ready in 30 minutes! It's the perfect answer to my what's for dinner question tomorrow!

      Reply
      • Bowl Me Over says

        May 09, 2017 at 7:58 pm

        Lentils are such an amazing legume, packed with smooch deliciousness!! I hope you really enjoy this stew Liza!!!

        Reply
    8. Healing Tomato says

      May 08, 2017 at 6:34 am

      5 stars
      It sounds like you had a great time Everything Food Conference. Can't wait to hear everything you learned there. This Lentil stew looks like a really hearty meal. Definitely going to make it.

      Reply
      • Bowl Me Over says

        May 08, 2017 at 3:53 pm

        We had so much fun and learned lots too, can't wait to share Rini!! And thanks also for taking a look at this recipe, it's so hearty just a great soup - we loved it and I hope you do too!!

        Reply
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    Hey I'm Deb Clark! I'm the owner of Bowl Me Over. We live in a sleepy little town just north of Portland in the beautiful Pacific Northwest... (read more)

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