Hearty Lentil Soup

• •2 tablespoon olive oil
• •1 yellow onion, large, diced
• •2 carrots, medium, peeled and diced
• •2 celery stalks, diced
• •3 garlic cloves, minced
• •1.5 cup brown or green lentils, rinsed
• •6 cup vegetable broth
• •14.5 oz diced tomatoes, undrained
• •1 bay leaf
• •1 teaspoon dried thyme
• •0.5 teaspoon ground cumin
• •0.5 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)
• • to taste salt
• • to taste black pepper, freshly ground
• •1 tablespoon red wine vinegar or lemon juice
• •0.3 cup fresh parsley, chopped

Instructions

1. 1

   Heat olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the diced onion, carrots, and celery. Sauté for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables begin to soften.

2. 2

   Add the minced garlic, dried thyme, ground cumin, and smoked paprika (if using). Cook for 1 minute more, stirring constantly, until fragrant.

3. 3

   Stir in the rinsed lentils, vegetable broth, undrained diced tomatoes, and bay leaf. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat.

4. 4

   Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and simmer for 30-40 minutes, or until the lentils are tender. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking to the bottom of the pot.

5. 5

   Remove and discard the bay leaf. Season the soup with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Adjust seasonings as needed.

6. 6

   Stir in the red wine vinegar or lemon juice just before serving. This adds a bright finish to the soup.

7. 7

   Ladle the hot soup into bowls and garnish each serving with fresh chopped parsley. Serve immediately.

Chef's Tips

• 💡For a thicker soup, you can mash about 1/4 of the cooked lentils against the side of the pot with a spoon or an immersion blender before serving.
• 💡This soup tastes even better the next day! It can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
• 💡Hearty Lentil Soup freezes beautifully. Allow it to cool completely before transferring to freezer-safe containers for up to 3 months.
• 💡Feel free to add other vegetables like diced potatoes (add with lentils) or a handful of fresh spinach (stir in during the last 5 minutes of cooking).