Hearty Brown Lentil Soup

Warm up your mealtime with this hearty brown lentil soup, a soul-soothing dish that's as nutritious as it is delicious. Packed with tender brown lentils, garden-fresh vegetables like carrots, celery, and onions, and simmered in a rich blend of aromatic spices including cumin, paprika, and thyme, this comforting recipe is both healthy and flavor-packed. With its vibrant base of diced tomatoes and savory vegetable broth, this one-pot wonder is not only easy to make but also perfect for a satisfying weeknight dinner. Ready in under an hour and loaded with plant-based protein, this vegetarian lentil soup is ideal for meal prep or cozying up on chilly evenings. Garnish with fresh parsley and pair with crusty bread for the ultimate comforting meal.

Nutriscore Rating: 80/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:40 mins

Total Time:55 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 medium yellow onion, diced
• 2 medium carrots, diced
• 2 medium celery stalks, diced
• 3 cloves garlic cloves, minced
• 1 cup dried brown lentils, rinsed and drained
• 14.5 ounces diced tomatoes, with juices
• 6 cups vegetable broth
• 1 piece bay leaf
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 0.5 teaspoons dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoons black pepper
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)

Directions

Step 1

Heat a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the olive oil and allow it to warm up.

Step 2

Add the diced onion, carrots, and celery to the pot. Sauté for 5-7 minutes until the vegetables begin to soften.

Step 3

Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes, until fragrant.

Step 4

Add the rinsed and drained brown lentils to the pot, followed by the diced tomatoes with their juices, vegetable broth, and the bay leaf.

Step 5

Stir in the ground cumin, paprika, dried thyme, salt, and black pepper.

Step 6

Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover the pot and simmer for 25-30 minutes, or until the lentils are tender.

Step 7

Remove the bay leaf from the pot and discard.

Step 8

Taste the soup and adjust the seasoning, adding more salt or black pepper if needed.

Step 9

Serve the soup warm, garnished with fresh parsley if desired. Pair with crusty bread for a complete meal.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	2412.4 grams (2412.4g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1258

Total Fat 43.30g	56%
Saturated Fat 7.30g	37%
Polyunsaturated Fat 6.90g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 5938mg	258%
Total Carbohydrate 180.70g	66%
Dietary Fiber 47.00g	168%
Total Sugars 51.10g
Protein 52.00g	104%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 459mg	35%
Iron 19mg	107%
Potassium 5144mg	109%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 29.5%

Protein: 15.8%

Carbs: 54.7%