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The Ultimate Hearty, Easy Vegetarian Lentil Soup (One-Pot Comfort)

Close-up of a steaming white mug filled with hearty lentil soup, showing lentils, carrots, and onions.
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This recipe delivers a hearty, flavorful, and deeply satisfying vegetarian lentil soup. It uses simple pantry staples to create a wholesome, budget-friendly meal perfect for a cozy dinner or meal preparation.

Ingredients

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  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 large yellow onion, chopped
  • 2 carrots, diced
  • 2 celery stalks, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 cup brown or green lentils, rinsed
  • 6 cups vegetable broth
  • 1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
  • 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar (optional, for brightness)

Instructions

  1. Heat the olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the chopped onion, carrots, and celery. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables soften, about 5 to 7 minutes.
  2. Add the minced garlic, thyme, cumin, and pepper to the pot. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
  3. Stir in the rinsed lentils, vegetable broth, diced tomatoes (with their juice), and the bay leaf.
  4. Bring the mixture to a boil, then immediately reduce the heat to low, cover the pot partially, and let it simmer for 30 to 40 minutes, or until the lentils are tender. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
  5. Remove and discard the bay leaf. Stir in the salt and red wine vinegar, if using. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
  6. Serve this hearty lentil soup hot with crusty bread for dipping.

Notes

  • For a thicker soup, mash about 1 cup of the cooked lentils against the side of the pot before serving.
  • This soup is excellent for meal prep; it stores well in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or can be frozen for up to 3 months.
  • If you prefer a richer flavor, substitute half of the vegetable broth with chicken broth, though the recipe remains vegetarian if using vegetable broth.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://gourmetgaze.com/easy-vegetarian-lentil-soup-recipe/