Easy Plant-based Lentil Soup

Written By kyra johnson

This cozy Plant-based lentil soup is one of the first recipes I tried over a decade ago when I began my journey to plant-forward eating. I was 16 years old and surprised by the ease, affordability, and tastiness of this dish! I am so excited to share this hearty, delicious, and affordable soup.


Ingredients:

  • 2 cups dried brown lentils, rinsed

  • 8 cups vegetable broth

  • 3 medium size carrots, rinsed and diced

  • 1 large white or yellow onion, diced

  • 3 celery stalks, diced

  • 1 bell pepper, rinsed and diced

  • 1 roma tomato, rinsed and diced

  • 4 cloves garlic, minced

  • 2 tsp Italian Bomba Hot Pepper sauce (Fermented Crushed Calabrian Chili Peppers)

  • 3 bays leaves

  • 1 Tbsp olive oil

  • 2 tsp Italian seasoning

  • 1 small lemon, fresh squeezed and juiced

  • ¼ cup parsley, finely chopped

  • Salt and pepper, to taste


Instructions: 

  1. Heat oil in a large pot or dutch oven on medium heat. Once oil is heated saute carrots, onion, celery, tomatoes, and bell pepper until onion is translucent. 

  2. Add garlic and Italian seasoning, saute for an additional 60 seconds until garlic is fragrant. Add calabrian peppers.

  3. Add lentils, saute for 30 seconds. Add bay leaves and vegetable broth and bring to a boil.

  4. Once soup has come to a bowl turn heat down to low and simmer on low for 30-35 minutes until lentils are soft and tender.

  5. Once lentils are tender add salt and pepper, taste and continue to adjust.

  6. Squeeze in fresh lemon, and add parsley.

  7. Serve over rice (I prefer brown or wild rice for the heartiness), with freshly toasted bread, or by itself and Enjoy!


Additional Tips!

  • Can use red lentils instead however these will cook much faster and result in a mushier soup!

  • Add any additional peppers or more tomatoes you may have in your fridge.

  • I use better than bouillon veggie paste, 1 tsp per 1 cup of water.

  • I purchase the Italian Bomba Hot Pepper sauce (Fermented Crushed Calabrian Chili Peppers) at trader joes. If you cannot find it the recipe will be just as tasty without it.

  • Garnish with fresh green onion!

  • Heat up on the stove in the morning and place in a thermo for a hot ready to eat lunch at work.

kyra johnson