Hearty Vegan Lentil Soup
This Hearty Vegan Lentil Soup is packed with flavor, nutrients, and warmth, perfect for a satisfying plant-based meal.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 large yellow onion, chopped
- 2 carrots, peeled and diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can diced tomatoes, undrained 14.5 ounce
- 1.5 cups brown or green lentils, rinsed and picked over
- 6 cups vegetable broth low sodium, gluten-free if desired
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 0.5 teaspoon ground coriander
- 0.25 teaspoon turmeric powder
- 1 bay leaf
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- 2 cups fresh spinach, roughly chopped or kale
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped for garnish
- Pinch of red pepper flakes optional, for heat
Instructions
- Sauté Aromatics: Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven or stockpot over medium heat. Add chopped onion, carrots, and celery. Sauté for 8-10 minutes, or until vegetables are softened and onion is translucent. Stir in minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- Combine Core Ingredients: Add the rinsed lentils, diced tomatoes (with their juice), vegetable broth, dried thyme, ground cumin, ground coriander, turmeric powder, and bay leaf to the pot. Stir well to combine all ingredients.
- Simmer to Perfection: Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 25-30 minutes, or until the lentils are tender. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking. If the soup becomes too thick, you can add a little more vegetable broth.
- Season and Finish: Remove the bay leaf. Stir in the chopped spinach or kale and cook for 2-3 minutes, or until wilted. Season the soup with salt and black pepper to taste. Add red pepper flakes if you prefer a bit of heat.
- Serve Warm: Ladle the Hearty Vegan Lentil Soup into bowls. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley before serving. Enjoy this comforting and nutritious meal!
Notes
- For extra flavor, roast your vegetables slightly before adding them to the pot.
- Always rinse your lentils thoroughly to remove any debris and improve cooking quality.