This simple lentil soup is simplest 7 substances and easy to meal prep as a lunch or dinner recipe! It’s considered one of our best reasonable and scrumptious wholesome meal prep concepts.

Yearly I am going via a “lentil soup segment” the place I devour the similar soup on repeat as it’s simple, fulfilling, and intensely economical. Some years it’s been this curry lentil soup, or others this crimson lentil soup or the smoky lentil soup from this cookbook I authored. However I’ve simply found out the lentil soup that outshines all of them: it’s simplest 7 substances, plant-based, easiest for meal prep, and extremely scrumptious. We despatched it to a recipe tester who stated, “How is that this SO scrumptious AND really easy to make?” For those who’re on the lookout for simple, wholesome budget-friendly foods: it is a recreation changer.

Leap to the recipe—now.

You simplest want 7 substances for this lentil soup

We’ve evolved a number of lentil soup recipes over time: this one with a tomato-based broth, one with curry, one with crimson lentils, and an Italian lentil soup. However this new recipe is our favourite but. I created it for a pal with nutritional restrictions, and after recipe checking out I realized this easy rule: a perfect lentil soup recipe works even with out broth.

What, no vegetable broth, you assert?

Bought vegetable broth will also be dear, particularly if you need to purchase two quarts of it for a unmarried recipe. This lentil soup is simply as fulfilling as soups with broth the usage of simplest water and salt! We infrequently run throughout this with a vegetarian or vegan soup, since broth is helping to infuse that savory taste that’s lacking with out meat. There are 7 substances you’ll want this straightforward lentil soup recipe (except that salt and water):

• Dried inexperienced or brown lentils: Steer clear of different sorts of lentils for this soup recipe. Inexperienced and brown paintings the most efficient (applications categorised “lentils” are most often some of the two). Purple lentils prepare dinner sooner and may develop into delicate, and French or black lentils don’t have the best texture for this recipe.
• Carrot, celery, and onion: This not unusual trio of fragrant soup greens provides the earthy taste to this soup.
• Garlic: Contemporary garlic is all the time key to a savory taste of a soup, particularly if it’s vegetarian or vegan (it could possibly mimic one of the most umami of meat).
• Olive oil: Olive oil is very important for sautéing and browning the greens, despite the fact that you’ll want to switch in butter or ghee if desired.
• Cumin: Cumin provides savory, earthy notes that make for a simple but intriguing taste. (It additionally tastes nice with double the amount of curry powder!)

In keeping with the New York Occasions, Mediterranean vitamin tips counsel consuming legumes 2 to a few occasions every week, and this soup recipe is a straightforward and scrumptious method to do it.

Upload an non-compulsory garnish or two!

There are a couple of non-compulsory garnish substances, however they’re no longer very important for the flavoring. Finely chopped recent parsley provides a pleasing inexperienced colour, and if you happen to’d like you’ll be able to upload freshly floor black pepper. Our favourite is to garnish with grated Pecorino cheese so as to add a pop of salt. To stay it vegan, you’ll be able to change vegan Parmesan cheese.

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

Pointers for making this lentil soup recipe

This lentil soup recipe is a straightforward topic of slicing greens, sauteing them, then including lentils and simmering for half-hour. There’s little need for particular apparatus: only a pot and a couple of greens. You’ll be shocked on the hearty, scrumptious taste: and it’s so fulfilling and filling! Listed here are a couple of guidelines for the method:

• Get started with 9 cups of water for simmering. We adore a soup this is very lentil-heavy, with just a little of broth so this quantity of liquid typically works neatly for us.
• If you wish to have it extra “brothy” upload as much as 1 cup extra water with a couple of pinches salt. Be mindful, you’re making necessarily a broth with water and salt, so you could wish to upload a couple of extra pinches of salt with any further water.

It’s the one lentil soup recipe you’ll want—and you’ll be able to combine it up!

This lentil soup recipe is so easy that whenever you take a look at it, you’ll more than likely put it proper into your common rotation! It’s the best vegetarian dinner and plant founded or vegan dinner concept. It’s a perfect template recipe that you’ll be able to use after which mix ‘n match spices in step with what you could have available and what you’re yearning. Listed here are a couple of diversifications we’ve completed:

• Curry powder: Exchange the cumin with 2 to a few teaspoons curry powder.
• Coconut milk: Desire a creamy spin? Stir in ½ can complete fats coconut milk, or extra to style.
• Potatoes: Upload 1 small diced, peeled potato and upload it to the greens after sautéing 5 mins. Sauté for three extra mins prior to proceeding the rest steps.

Meal prep and make forward notes

This lentil soup recipe is perfect for meal prep as it tastes even higher through the years! We make up a large batch for the week and it retail outlets neatly. It’s a perfect wholesome dinner concept that’s vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free! Listed here are a couple of make forward guidelines:

• Make and retailer this lentil soup for as much as 1 week refrigerated. The flavour simply assists in keeping getting higher!
• The lentils take in water all over garage, so you’ll be able to upload moderately extra liquid. For those who’re making this for meal prep, the lentils will take in some liquid through the years: you’ll be able to merely upload a touch of water and a pinch of salt on your bowl prior to serving.
• You’ll additionally freeze lentil soup. Position it in an hermetic container and freeze for as much as 3 months.

A couple of facets to make it a meal

This lentil soup is extra filling than maximum of our vegetarian and vegan dinner recipes, since lentils have a forged quantity of protein. Upload a salad and also you’ve were given a delightful meal! Listed here are a couple of facets we adore to pair:

Or, browse those 20 comfy facets for soup for extra concepts! Tell us what you suppose within the feedback: we are hoping you’ll to find it’s a easy meal prep concept for lunch or dinner.

Extra lentil soup recipes we adore