Hearty Lentil Soup

This vegan Hearty Lentil Soup recipe is made in one pot on the stove top. It's cooked with carrots and brown lentils in a savory tomato broth!

When it comes to healthy comfort foods, it doesn't get any better than a big bowl of Lentil Soup. This version is vegan and will keep you warm during the winter months!

This lentil soup is one that I go back to time and time again. It's an easy recipe made with simple ingredients and requires no fancy equipment or cooking techniques.

There is nothing better than curling up with a big bowl of it under a mound of blankets while trying to stay warm during the month of January in Minnesota.

I love this dish because it's comforting and filling, while at the same time naturally vegan and gluten free, so it won't weigh you down. All of the ingredients are simmered in one pot and the result is a meal that feels decadent, but in reality is super healthy.

This soup is thick and almost has the consistency of a stew. It's perfect served with some toasted garlic crostini for dipping.

Jump to:

• Which Color Lentils Are Best For Soup?
• Ingredients For Hearty Lentil Soup
• Do Lentils Need To Be Soaked Before Adding To Soup?
• How To Add Flavor To Lentil Soup
• How To Make One Pot Lentil Soup
• How Long Does Lentil Soup Take To Cook?
• How To Tell When Lentils Are Done?
• What To Serve With Lentil Soup
• How Long Does This Soup Last In The Fridge?
• Can I Freeze Lentil Soup?
• Hearty Lentil Soup

Which Color Lentils Are Best For Soup?

Lentils are one of my favorite all-around ingredients. I always have a stash of dried lentils on hand in my pantry.

Lentils are incredibly inexpensive and used in dishes in cuisines found all around the world. They are delicious added to soups, stews, salads, burgers, and dips.

They're sort of nondescript - Lentils aren't a glamorous ingredient. But, don't let them fool you. They're cheap and the perfect ingredient to 'bulk' up your dishes without adding tons of meat.

Lentils are very healthy - They are a great source of protein, iron, and folate and are low in calories.

For this recipe, I recommend using brown lentils. Brown lentils are the variety commonly sold in grocery stores and food coops.

I like to use brown lentils when making soup, because they hold their shape and do not become mushy when cooked.

Ingredients For Hearty Lentil Soup

Here's what you'll need to make it.

• 6 cloves Garlic
• 1 Onion (any color)
• 2-3 stalks Celery
• 5-6 Carrots (equals 3 cups diced)
• 2 Tbsp. Olive Oil
• 1 tsp. Italian Seasoning
• 1 tsp. Sugar
• 1 ¼ cup Brown Lentils (dried)
• 2 cups Crushed Tomatoes
• 5 cups Vegetable Broth
• ½ tsp. each Kosher Salt and Pepper

Lentils are naturally gluten free, but always check the labels to make sure the brand is free of gluten. Some companies process lentils in the same facilities as non-gluten free foods and cross-contamination can occur.

Do Lentils Need To Be Soaked Before Adding To Soup?

There is no need to soak lentils before adding them to soup, but rinsing them with water is always recommended as this can remove any impurities.

How To Add Flavor To Lentil Soup

The first step to making this lentil soup is to mince the aromatics and vegetables.

This recipe is prepared with garlic, onion, celery, and carrots. The celery provides a great earthy flavor and the carrots provide a nice sweetness.

Each of the veggies give this soup a thick and chunky texture.

The veggies are sautéed in a Dutch oven with olive oil. This helps to caramelize them and provides the soup with great flavor.

1. Start by mincing 6 cloves of garlic and 1 onion (any color).
2. Dice 2-3 stalks of celery.
3. Peel 5-6 carrots and cut them into slices (yields 3 heaping cups carrots). Cut the carrot slices into quarters, making sure that all of the carrots are relatively equal in size to ensure that they cook evenly.
4. Rinse 1 ¼ cup dried brown lentils with water to remove any dust or impurities.

How To Make One Pot Lentil Soup

I love to use a cast iron Dutch oven when making soup on the stove top. They're basically indestructible, they distribute heat evenly, and are large in size, which allows you to fit everything in one pot.

Any heavy-bottomed soup pot should work if you do not have a cast iron Dutch oven.

1. Place a cast iron Dutch oven (or heavy-bottomed soup pot) on the stove top and heat to medium high. Add 2 Tbsp. of olive oil to the pot.
2. Once the oil is heated, add the garlic, onions, and celery. Sauté the aromatics for 4-5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
3. Add the carrots, along with ¼ tsp. each kosher salt and pepper. Sauté the carrots for 5-6 minutes, stirring occasionally.
4. Add 1 ¼ cup brown lentils to the pot and sauté for 1 minute, stirring occasionally.

How Long Does Lentil Soup Take To Cook?

Once all of the veggies are sautéed and the lentils have been added to the Dutch oven, it's time to add the liquids and spices to the pot.

Once the liquid is added, the soup is brought to a boil, reduced to a low boil, covered, and cooked on the stove top for about 45 minutes.

Brown lentils take longer to cook than split lentils. The great thing about this soup is that it is relatively hands-off once it has reached a low boil.

1. To the soup pot, add 5 cups vegetable broth, 2 cups crushed tomatoes, 1 tsp. Italian seasoning, 1 tsp. sugar (the sugar helps to balance the acidity of the crushed tomatoes), and ¼ tsp. each kosher salt and pepper.
2. Stir all of these ingredients until completely combined.
3. Bring the soup to a boil. Once it is boiling, reduce to a low boil, cover, and cook for 45 minutes or so.
4. Stir the soup every 20 minutes or so to make sure that everything is cooking as it should.

How To Tell When Lentils Are Done?

Lentils can be kind of stubborn. I find that they always take a little longer to cook than I think they will. I assure you - It's totally worth the wait!

The lentils should be tender, but not mushy when done. The best way to tell if lentils are done cooking is to taste them.

The carrots should be soft, but not mushy after the soup is cooked as well. This soup is done when both the lentils and carrots are tender.

Feel free to cook for an additional couple of minutes if necessary.

This lentil soup has a thick and hearty texture when it has finished cooking. If you prefer, you can add a bit of extra vegetable broth or water to thin it out.

What To Serve With Lentil Soup

This Hearty Lentil Soup can be served as is, or topped with some fresh herbs to brighten it up.

Minced chives, parsley, or cilantro all all great herbs with which to garnish this soup.

Feel free to add some freshly grated Parmesan cheese for a bit of extra richness. Vegan Parmesan cheese may be used if you'd like to keep this dish vegan.

I always love soup like this one served with a few slices of toasted crostini, garlic bread, homemade biscuits, or savory cheese scones.

A panini or grilled cheese like this Italian mozzarella grilled cheese, pesto grilled cheese, chipotle chicken panini or gouda grilled cheese is great for dipping into the soup!

This corned beef Reuben or turkey Rachel sandwich also makes for a great pairing.

How Long Does This Soup Last In The Fridge?

This soup lasts for 3-4 days stored in an airtight container in the fridge.

Can I Freeze Lentil Soup?

Absolutely. Soups like this one make great freezer meals!

How To Freeze

1. Prepare the soup according to the instructions and allow to cool completely.
2. Once cooled, place the soup in heavy-duty freezer bags or in airtight freezer-safe containers.
3. Label with the date and store up to 3 months.

How To Thaw

1. Place the containers of frozen soup in the fridge for 24 hours to thaw.
2. Place the soup in a Dutch Oven or soup pan and add ½ cup of water or vegetable broth. Cook the soup on the stove top until thoroughly heated.

Love lentils? Don't miss these recipes!

• Instant Pot Lentil Soup
• Sausage Kale Lentil Soup
• Instant Pot Lentils
• Red Lentil Cauliflower Soup

Looking for more vegetarian soups? Check out these recipes!

• Cannellini Bean, Kale, and Carrot Soup
• Sweet Potato Kale Soup
• Winter Root Vegetable Soup
• Roasted Carrot Ginger Soup
• Healthy Harvest Vegetable Soup
• Chunky Italian Vegetable Soup
• Curried Cauliflower Potato Soup
• Potato Leek Cauliflower Soup

Craving More Healthy Soups? Don't Miss These!

Creamy Tomato Basil Soup

Healthy Cabbage Soup

Broccoli Potato Soup

Healthy Mushroom Soup