Red Lentil Soup with Vegetables

Name: Red Lentil Soup with Vegetables
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 50 min
Ingredients: 1 Tbsp olive oil; 1 medium yellow onion, (chopped); 2 cloves garlic, (minced); 2 medium carrots, (chopped); 2 salks celery, (chopped); 15 oz organic chopped tomatoes, (1 can); 6 cups chicken broth, (or vegetable broth); 1 cup red lentils; ¼ tsp chili flakes; ½ tsp curry powder; 1 Tbsp parsley, (chopped for garnish)

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The rich, cozy Red Lentil Soup with Vegetables is a healthy, hearty soup that will keep you filled and satisfied. This easy recipe is packed with much flavor and is the best way to enjoy a wholesome meal during the week. It’s a warm and comforting soup that’s just perfect for cold days.

Why red lentils you might be asking? These all-season legumes are packed with plant-based protein making them nutritious and filling. They are in the same family as beans and peanuts. So this is a different version of beloved bean soups like the Tuscan Soup or Chicken Soup with Garbanzo Beans.

Making a steaming bowl of soup is one of my favorite things to enjoy especially with the chilly weather. In fact, to save time one-pot Vegan Soup Recipes have become my go-to meal for the entire family on busy weeknights.

The red lentils add a wonderful flavor and they’re a good source of fiber, minerals, and vitamins. They’re healthy and low in fat. They’re better than green lentils because they take a shorter time to cook and disintegrate to become softer.

Table of Contents

Make a delicious lentil soup for the chilly season!

This great recipe includes red lentils with lots of fresh vegetables, a flavorful broth, a little bit of spices, and fresh herbs which all combine to make a cozy big pot of soup to keep you warm and snuggly during cold days.

The good thing is this soup freezes wonderfully making this a make-ahead recipe. With a cooking time of less than an hour, this will quickly become your favorite lentil soup recipe.

The Vegan Red Lentil Soup is a great way to enjoy a wholesome plant-based protein dish for a dinner weeknight meal served with crusty bread. Next time you’re looking for healthy recipes for your family, be sure to include this delicious and hearty soup! It tastes even better the next day if that’s at all possible.

Why is this the best lentil soup?

The nutritious, well-balanced Red Lentil Vegetable Soup uses pantry staples making it super easy to make.
This plant-based protein meal is vegan-friendly and gluten-free as well.
It’s a one-pot meal which means less clean-up later.
The hearty soup has a rich texture and will keep you full for longer.
You can serve small cups of the soup as a starter or a big bowl as a dinner meal making this a versatile dish.
It freezes well so you can make a large portion of the soup and enjoy it later.

Key Ingredients

Celery stalks: They create the soup’s aromatic base together with carrots, onion, and garlic.
Carrots: Add a pop of color and a naturally sweet flavor to the soup.
Garlic cloves: Adds a burst of flavor to the dish. You can use garlic powder as a substitute.
Medium onion: Brings aroma and flavor to the soup.
Chicken or vegetable broth: A wonderful base for the soup. It’s filled with much flavor.
Can chopped tomatoes: Brings a vibrant and fresh taste to the soup
Red lentils: Our star ingredient has a mild, sweet taste and a vibrant color. These must be soaked in water for 2 hours
Extra virgin olive oil: To sauté the vegetables.
Salt and black pepper: To taste and make all the flavors pop.
Chili flakes: Add a subtle spicy kick to the dish.
Curry powder: Adds depth and flavor to the soup.
Fresh Parsley: For serving at the end of cooking.

Find the full printable recipe with specific measurements below.

How to Make the Red Lentil Soup Recipe

Step 1: Prepare the vegetables

Mince the onion and garlic. Chop the carrots and celery stalks.

Step 2: Saute the onions

In a large soup pot, heat olive oil and add the onion. Cook over medium-high heat for 5 minutes, until soft and lightly golden.

Step 3: Add the vegetables

Add chopped carrots and celery, along with minced garlic. Sauté for 5 minutes on medium heat. Stir occasionally.

Same pot at onion carrot and celery are added.

Step 4: Add the rest of the ingredients

Add lentils, curry powder, chili flakes, chopped tomatoes, and chicken broth into the large pot. Stir and bring to a simmer.

canned tomatoes, spices and broth are added to the vegetables.

Step 5: Cook the soup

Cook on medium-low for 30-40 min, until lentils are cooked and tender.

Step 6: Blend a cup of soup

At the end of cooking, puree 1 cup of soup in an immersion blender and transfer back to the large soup pot. Mix to combine.

one cup of lentil soup blended separately.

Step 7: Season the soup

Season with salt and black pepper to taste.

Season the red lentil soup with salt and black pepper.

Step 8: Finish up, garnish and serve!

Turn off the heat and serve with chopped fresh parsley. Enjoy your hot bowl of soup!

How to store leftover vegan lentil soup

Store cooled leftover soup in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Reheat over the stove or covered in the microwave, stirring every minute until it’s hot. You can add a little water if it’s too thick.
To freeze, place cooled soup in freezer-safe containers or bags for up to 6 months. Defrost overnight, reheat, and enjoy!

Expert Tips

While fresh vegetables are best, you can substitute them with their frozen counterparts.
Puree a cup of soup to give you a more creamy lentil soup that is thicker and has a richer taste without relying on heavy cream or flour to thicken the soup.
You can add red pepper flakes, cayenne pepper, or hot sauce for an extra spicy kick.
If you don’t have time to soak the lentils you can put them in a pressure cooker and cook on high pressure then add them to the soup.
You can serve this soup with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice to give it a bright fresh flavor. Garnish with lemon wedges or microgreens. Feel free to serve it with a dollop of Greek yogurt or sour cream, or add a splash of heavy cream to the bowl.
To do a rough chop of the fresh vegetables, throw them in the food processor.
You can use other fresh herbs such as mint, chives, cilantro, dill, basil, or oregano.

Recipe FAQ

What can l serve with the Red Lentil Soup Recipe?

This is a complete meal on its own but you can serve it with pita bread, garlic bread or crusty bread for dipping. You can serve smaller cups of the soup as a starter or serve it with a fresh salad.

Which other vegetable can l use?

Instead of carrots, you can add sweet potatoes and make this even more filling. You can replace celery with frozen peas and/or green beans.

Why are the different types of lentils?

There are brown lentils, green lentils, and red lentils. Brown lentils are more common and have a mild, earthy flavor. They’re a great substitute for meat in tacos, tomato sauce, and Shepherd’s pie. Green lentils have a robust, peppery flavor and take a long time to cook. They keep their firm texture so they’re best for pilafs, side dishes, and salads.

Red lentils are the sweetest and most nutritious as they have a slightly higher protein content. They become soft and mushy when cooked and are best for soups, stew recipes, and curries.

More vegetarian recipes on the blog

This quick and easy one-pot Thai Coconut Soup is a flavorful vegetarian soup loaded with veggies, and then it’s bathed in a coconut milk and vegetable broth base.
Try the rich, quick, and delicious Vegetable Soup which is filled with all the benefits you need for the winter months and perfect for busy weeknights.
The All-in-One Pot Winter Squash Soup is comforting, cozy, light, and a great way to keep warm on a chilly night.

More Soup Recipes to Try

If you tried this Red Lentil Soup with Vegetables or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how you enjoyed it in the📝 comments below. I love hearing from you!