Description
Lemon Lentil Soup is a healthy vegan soup made with red lentils, turmeric, fresh vegetables, and bright lemon juice. This protein-packed, fiber-rich soup is ready in just 30 minutes and perfect for lunch or dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1–2 tablespoons olive oil or avocado oil
- 3 large carrots, peeled and sliced
- 2 stalks celery, chopped
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 6 cups vegetable stock
- 1 1/2 cups red lentils, rinsed
- 2 bay leaves
- 1/2 teaspoon turmeric
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- Juice from 1 lemon (about 5 tablespoons)
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- Optional: fresh spinach or kale
- Fresh parsley or cilantro for topping
Instructions
- Heat oil in a large stock pot over medium heat. Add onion, celery, and carrots and cook for 3-4 minutes until softened. Add garlic and cook 1 minute until fragrant.
- Pour in vegetable stock and stir in red lentils, bay leaves, turmeric, and cumin. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer covered for 12-15 minutes until lentils are soft.
- Remove lid and stir in lemon juice, lemon zest, salt, and black pepper.
- Transfer 2 cups of soup to a blender and blend until smooth, then return to pot. Alternatively use an immersion blender to partially blend.
- Add spinach or kale if using and cook 2-3 minutes until wilted. Adjust seasoning and serve warm with parsley or cilantro.
Notes
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- Freeze in airtight containers for up to 6 months and thaw overnight before reheating.
- You can substitute green or brown lentils but cooking time will increase.
- If using canned lentils, simmer broth and vegetables for 10 minutes first, then add drained lentils and cook another 10 minutes.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 138 kcal
- Sugar: 8.8 g
- Sodium: 1206 mg
- Fat: 9.1 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7.5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 64.6 g
- Fiber: 10.8 g
- Protein: 18.8 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg