The best Easy Lentil Soup Recipe that you can make on the stove, in the slow cooker or in the instant pot ! Vegan, gluten free and delicious!
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This easy lentil soup is so delicious, hearty, and is the perfect protein-packed soup, especially for a vegan soup. It will quickly become one of your favorite comfort foods!
This recipe is also extremely versatile based on your preferences and dietary needs (see green box below).
The good news is you can use any type of lentil in lentil soup. The other good news: Lentils don’t need to soak as beans do (though you do need to sort and rinse them before cooking). Different types of lentils cook in different amounts of time.
What goes well with Lentil Soup?
This lentil soup goes well with:
- a big piece of bread
- a side sandwich/salad-We love our Strawberry Spinach Salad
- a grilled cheese
Why We Love This Easy Lentil Soup:
- Easy: This lentil soup is such an easy recipe. It only requires 8 ingredients and some spices and comes together in less than an hour on the stove or instant pot. If you would rather the flavors come together all day, the crockpot takes between 4 and 8 hours.
- Healthy: This easy soup is packed with vegetables and lentils, which have so many nutrients. There are 20g of protein and 24g of fiber per serving.
- Perfect for all diets: This lentil soup is vegan, vegetarian, gluten and dairy free – perfect for all diets!
- Budget Friendly: All of the ingredients in this soup are very affordable! If you’re looking for more budget recipes – check out this post on Eating Healthy on a Budget.
Why Lentils Must Be Soaked Before Cooking
FAQ
What happens if you don’t soak lentils?
What happens if you don’t rinse lentils?
Why won’t my lentils soften in soup?
Do you need to soak lentils before making soup?
There is no need to soak lentils before adding them to soup, but rinsing them with water is always recommended as this can remove any impurities. The first step to making this lentil soup is to mince the aromatics and vegetables. This recipe is prepared with garlic, onion, celery, and carrots.
Can one replace meat with lentils?
As lentils are packed with protein, they can be a very good substitute for meat, in many plant-based dishes. Lentils can be used in burgers, meatballs, meatloaf, tacos, burritos, marinara sauce, etc. Lentils have no saturated fats (as meat has), and also contain iron, zinc, magnesium, potassium, and vitamin B, and most of the essential amino acids.
Is soaking lentils a good idea?
While some claim that soaking helps eliminate anti-nutrients such as phytic acid and improves digestion, others believe it’s unnecessary and can lead to the loss of nutrients. Soaking lentils also decreases cooking time and can help prevent them from breaking down and becoming mushy in the soup.
How long should lentils soak before cooking?
Lentils are tiny, so they don’t need to soak at all to cook in a reasonable amount of time; unsoaked lentils will cook in 15 to 30 minutes depending on the type. But if you want to soak them to potentially ease digestion, aim for a minimum of two hours and a maximum of 12. (Two to four hours is a good starting point.)