This Easy Lemon Lentil Soup is hearty and flavorful. With a delicious assortment of ingredients, you'll love serving this healthy dish during the colder months.
Lemon Lentil Soup is an easy meal to make and includes so many scrumptious ingredients. The flavors from the vegetables, lentils, lemons, spices, and herbs come together and create an amazing mix that is so tasty. This is a great cold weather dish because it's chunky and hearty, and very filling.
This is also a really healthy recipe to make. Easy Lemon Lentil Soup has protein and fiber-rich lentils, vegetables like kale that offer plenty of vitamins and minerals, and spices like turmeric that are known to help with inflammation. So not only is this soup easy to make and tastes great, it also is a healthy vegan option for lunch or dinner. Let's look more closely at the ingredients you'll be using.
Video Tutorial
What you'll need
- Oil. Any oil you prefer will work here. I like using olive or grapeseed.
- Onion. This provides sweetness.
- Carrots. For sweetness and color.
- Potatoes. This offers texture and flavor.
- Green Lentils. You can use other kinds of lentils, but I think green ones work best here.
- Veggie Broth. If you use low-sodium broth, you may need to add some extra salt. Mine is fully seasoned, so I did not add any extra salt. I used Better Than Bouillon, No Chicken Base to make my broth.
- Kale. Or spinach could be used.
- Lemon Juice. For a little acidity and bright citrus flavor.
- Dill. Or fresh parsley can be used instead.
- Spices. Cumin, turmeric, salt, and pepper.
How to Make this Lemon Lentil Soup
1. In a large pot, saute the chopped onions and grated carrots in the oil, over medium heat for about 4-5 minutes.
2. Add the cumin and turmeric, and stir. Cook for 1 minute.
3. At this point, add the potatoes, lentils, and broth. Reduce the heat and cook for about 25 minutes.
4. Add the salt, pepper, and kale, and cook for 5 more minutes.
5. Turn off the heat and add the lemon juice and dill. Stir and serve.
Pro Tips
- Taste test your seasoning. Because the salt level might vary depending on what kind of broth you are using, test your soup and season it to taste. You might also prefer more of something, like pepper or dill, so check that as well.
- Add the kale near the end. The kale can easily overcook and lose its color and texture. Adding it near the end of the cooking time keeps it bright green and with some delicious chew.
- Use green lentils if you can. Green lentils are great because they are high in fiber and protein, as well as minerals and vitamins. They also hold their shape better than other types, making them perfect for longer cook times, like in a soup.
How to Store and Reheat
To store this easy Lemon Lentil Soup, place it in an airtight container and keep it in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. When you are ready to reheat it, place the soup back in the pot and warm it on the stove top. You can also microwave it for a couple of minutes until heated through.
Can you freeze this soup?
Yes, you can freeze this soup. Place it in an airtight container or freezer ziplock bag, and allow to freeze. If the bag freezes flat, it is easy to stack vertically and saves room in the freezer. The soup will last for about 6 months. Try to eat it before then though to enjoy the best taste and texture.
What to Serve with this Lemon Lentil Soup
- Crusty bread. It tastes great when you dip some warm toasted bread into this flavorful soup.
- Salad. Make a healthy soup and salad combo with a fresh green salad.
- Potatoes. This is great along with Vegan Scalloped Potatoes, Mashed Potatoes, or Mexican Stuffed Sweet Potatoes.
- Grains or pasta. Try this lentil soup with rice, couscous, millet, bulgar, or orzo. Creamy Lemon Spaghetti is another yummy option.
This Easy Lemon Lentil Soup is so simple, yet so delicious. You'll love how full of flavor and satisfying it is, especially when you want to warm up after a cold day. Enjoy this soup on its own or with some other dishes, but either way, it's the perfect recipe for this time of year.
More delicious soup recipes
Easy Lemon Lentil Soup
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp. olive oil or other kind
- ½ medium onion, diced
- 1 large carrot, cubed
- 2 medium potatoes, cubed
- 1 cup green lentils, rinsed
- 4 cups kale, chopped
- 5 cups vegetable broth
- 3 tbsp. lemon juice
- ½ tsp. turmeric
- ½ tsp. cumin powder
- ½ tsp. salt or to taste
- ¼ tsp. pepper or to taste
- ⅓ cup chopped dill
Instructions
- In a large pot, saute the chopped onions and grated carrots in the oil, over medium heat for about 4-5 minutes.
- Add the cumin and turmeric, and stir. Cook for 1 minute.
- At this point, add the potatoes, lentils, and broth. Reduce the heat and cook for about 25 minutes.
- Add the salt, pepper, and kale, and cook for 5 more minutes.
- Turn off the heat and add the lemon juice and dill. Stir and serve.
Notes
Pro Tips
- Taste test your seasoning. Because the salt level might vary depending on what kind of broth you are using, test your soup and season it to taste. You might also prefer more of something, like pepper or dill, so check that as well.
- Add the kale near the end. The kale can easily overcook and lose its color and texture. Adding it near the end of the cooking time keeps it bright green and with some delicious chew.
- Use green lentils if you can. Green lentils are great because they are high in fiber and protein, as well as minerals and vitamins. They also hold their shape better than other types, making them perfect for longer cook times, like in a soup.
This soup is just what I crave for lunches during the week to sustain me through long 12 hour shifts! So delicious and nutritious. I added fresh grated ginger during the sautéing of the other veggies and used sweet potatoes instead of regular and the end results were so yummy! I might try parsnip next time for something different. Thank you for sharing 🙂
Thank you so much, Shannon! It means a lot to me!
I’m not a big soup eater but came across this easy lentil soup recipe and it’s delish!! I plan to eat it all week. Thanks for sharing.🙏🏽
Thank you, Samantha! This means a lot to me!
can this be done in crockpot on low for 4 hrs?
Hi Elaine! Although I don't own a crockpot, I think this would be ok. Let me know if you try it!
I was wondering this myself. I'm going to try it out and see.
I wonder if sweet potatoes would taste good instead of white potatoes?
Hi Erin! Although I prefer regular potatoes, sweet potatoes can also be used. Let me know if you try it!
Can I freeze this soup? Should I freeze it without some ingredients like kale?
Hi Lauren! I think you can freeze this soup without any problems. Happy cooking!
Loved it. Easy, so good, and healthy. My 14 year old wasn't crazy about the kale but liked everything else.
Thanks, Deborah! You can use spinach instead next time. 🙂