Hearty Lentil Ham Soup

Warm up with a bowl of comforting and flavorful Hearty Lentil Ham Soup, a one-pot wonder packed with protein-rich green lentils, tender bites of ham, and aromatic vegetables. This wholesome soup features a savory blend of dried thyme, oregano, and bay leaf, simmered in a rich chicken broth infused with a touch of tomato paste for depth. Perfect for cool evenings or meal prepping, this recipe comes together in just an hour, delivering six generous servings of nourishing goodness. Garnished with fresh parsley and served alongside crusty bread, this easy-to-make lentil soup is a filling, family-friendly meal that’s as nutritious as it is delicious. Perfect for leftovers, this soup gets even better the next day! Keywords: Lentil Ham Soup, hearty soup recipe, protein-packed soup, easy weeknight dinner, one-pot meal, comforting soup.

Nutriscore Rating: 70/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:45 mins

Total Time:60 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 large yellow onion
• 2 medium carrots
• 2 celery stalks
• 3 garlic cloves
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 cup green lentils
• 2 cups ham (diced or shredded)
• 6 cups chicken broth
• 2 cups water
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 0.5 teaspoons salt
• 0.25 teaspoons black pepper
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley (optional, for garnish)

Directions

Step 1

Heat the olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat.

Step 2

Dice the onion, carrots, and celery. Mince the garlic cloves.

Step 3

Add the onion, carrots, and celery to the pot and sauté for 5-7 minutes until they soften and become fragrant.

Step 4

Stir in the minced garlic, thyme, oregano, and bay leaf. Cook for an additional 1 minute.

Step 5

Add the green lentils, diced or shredded ham, chicken broth, water, and tomato paste to the pot. Stir well to combine.

Step 6

Increase the heat to high and bring the soup to a boil.

Step 7

Once boiling, reduce the heat to low and cover the pot with a lid. Let the soup simmer for about 35-40 minutes, or until the lentils are tender.

Step 8

Season the soup with salt and black pepper to taste. Adjust seasoning if needed.

Step 9

Remove the bay leaf before serving.

Step 10

Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with fresh parsley if desired. Serve warm with crusty bread or crackers.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	3029 grams (3029.0g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1443

Total Fat 53.40g	68%
Saturated Fat 11.90g	60%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.80g
Cholesterol 236mg	79%
Sodium 10375mg	451%
Total Carbohydrate 92.70g	34%
Dietary Fiber 26.10g	93%
Total Sugars 30.00g
Protein 142.30g	285%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 370mg	28%
Iron 16mg	88%
Potassium 4392mg	93%

*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: 33.8%

Protein: 40.1%

Carbs: 26.1%