Description
A hearty and flavorful lentil soup packed with vegetables and warm spices, perfect for a nutritious and comforting meal any time of year.
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables and Aromatics
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 medium carrots, peeled and chopped
- 2 celery ribs, chopped
- 3 cups baby spinach, sliced into ribbons
- 1 lemon, juiced (about 2 tablespoons)
Pantry
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 14-ounce can crushed or diced tomatoes
- 2 cups dry green or brown lentils
- 7 cups vegetable broth
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
Instructions
- Heat the Aromatics: Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the chopped onions, minced garlic, peeled and chopped carrots, and chopped celery. Cook, stirring frequently for about 5 minutes until the vegetables soften and become fragrant.
- Add Tomatoes and Lentils: Pour in the crushed or diced tomatoes with their juices, add the dry lentils, vegetable broth, ground cumin, ground coriander, and smoked paprika. Stir everything together to combine the flavors.
- Simmer the Soup: Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer. Cook uncovered for 30 minutes, or until the lentils are tender and the soup has thickened. For a creamier texture, use an immersion blender to blend a few times directly in the pot or blend 1-2 cups in a regular blender and return to the pot.
- Finish with Greens and Lemon: Stir in the baby spinach ribbons and lemon juice. Let the spinach wilt in the hot soup for about 1 minute. Season with salt to taste and stir well before serving.
Notes
- For a thinner soup, add more vegetable broth or water to reach your desired consistency.
- Leftover soup can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- This soup freezes well; freeze in individual or large containers for easy future meals.
- You may substitute kale for spinach, but cook kale about 10 minutes longer to soften.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 220 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 5 g
- Saturated Fat: 0.7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3.5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 12 g
- Protein: 12 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
