This simple red lentil soup recipe is bursting with flavor! It’s hearty and cozy, flavored with aromatic vegetables and lemon.
If there’s one food that always satisfies, it’s a great lentil soup. Lentils are one of nature’s wonders: they’re full of protein, shelf stable for years, inexpensive, and make for some of the most satisfying filling meals.
Here’s one of our favorite ways to use them: this simple red lentil soup! Alex and I have over a decade of experience writing lentil recipes (it’s kind of our jam!) and this one is at the top of our favorites list. It’s cozy and hearty, featuring aromatic vegetables, lemon and a hint of smoked paprika.
Finding the right type of lentils
Lentils are small dried legumes, part of a plant family that includes beans, peas, and peanuts. Red lentils, named for their bright orange-pink color, have a texture that breaks down faster than other types, making them perfect for quick soups or dal.
Most red lentils you’ll find at the store are split red lentils, which is what you should use here. (Some packages may simply say “red lentils,” but if you’re in an American grocery store it’s likely split red lentils.) Avoid whole red lentils: they cook differently and hold their shape when cooking.
Ingredients in red lentil soup
This red lentil soup is hearty and easy, an ideal easy weeknight meal! It’s a vegan dinner recipe that’s filling and full of plant-based protein. All you need to do is sauté the aromatic vegetables, then add the remaining ingredients and simmer until the lentils are tender. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Vegetables: carrots, onion, celery, garlic
- Olive oil
- Vegetable broth
- Water
- Split red lentils
- Smoked paprika
- Lemon zest
- Salt and pepper
How to tell when the soup done
One important thing about red lentil soup is to make sure not to overcook it! If you cook red lentils too long, they lose their shape and turn into a mush. Sometimes that’s what you want, like in masoor dal (Indian red lentils). But in this soup, you’ll want the lentils to be just tender but still hold their shape.
Keep an eye on this soup and simmer 7 to 10 minutes until the lentils are just soft, but before they break apart. Some brands of split red lentils are smaller than others, meaning they cook slightly differently. We’ve actually noticed one brand we often buy cooks much faster than others!
Garnish ideas for red lentil soup
This red lentil soup recipe is delicious on its own, but it’s even tastier with a few garnishes. Here’s what we like to add before serving:
- Greek yogurt or sour cream: This adds just the right creaminess and a bright tang: we suggest serving it this way if at all possible.
- Cashew cream: For dairy-free, use vegan yogurt or cashew cream.
- Coconut milk: Want a creamy red lentil soup? Stir in ½ cup full fat coconut milk before serving.
- Cilantro: Fresh cilantro or parsley add an herbaceous freshness.
Making it a meal with side dishes
Even though lentils are very filling, a cup of red lentil soup usually needs a side dish to make it a filling meal. Here are some of the items we like to pair it with:
- Cornbread or corn muffins: Try cornbread muffins, skillet cornbread or vegan corn bread.
- Bread: Any crusty artisan loaf will do, from purchased to homemade artisan bread.
- Garlic bread: Go for homemade garlic bread or garlic toast.
- Popovers: These tasty popovers are quick and simple.
- Salad: Try this arugula salad, spring mix salad or apple goat cheese salad.
Dietary notes
This red lentil soup recipe is vegetarian, vegan, plant-based, dairy-free and gluten-free.
Frequently asked questions
Red lentils are ideal for their creamy texture. You can try substituting brown lentils, but you may need to cook them longer and they will have a slightly different flavor.
The soup lasts up to 1 week refrigerated (you can also freeze for up to 3 months). Leftovers can become very thick, so you can add a little water or broth when reheating.
Simple Red Lentil Soup
Print RecipeThis simple red lentil soup recipe is bursting with flavor! It’s hearty and cozy, flavored with aromatic vegetables and lemon.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Soup
- Diet: Vegan
Ingredients
- 3 large carrots
- 1 medium yellow onion
- 3 celery ribs
- 6 garlic cloves
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 2 quarts vegetable broth
- 1 cup water
- 1 pound split red lentils*
- 1 ½ tablespoons smoked paprika
- 1 ½ teaspoons lemon zest
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- Fresh ground black pepper
- Greek yogurt or sour cream (or cashew cream for vegan), for serving
-
Cilantro, for serving
Instructions
- Peel the carrots. Finely dice the carrot, onion, and celery. Mince the garlic.
- In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion, carrots and celery, and sauté until the carrots are tender, about 5 to 7 minutes.
- Stir in the garlic and sauté for 1 minute. Add the broth, water, red lentils, smoked paprika, lemon zest, kosher salt and fresh ground pepper.
- Bring to a low simmer, then cover halfway and gently simmer until the lentils are just soft but before they start to break apart, about 7 to 10 minutes. Watch closely and taste to assess doneness. The finished soup should be brothy with the lentils just soft; cooking past this point yields a very thick stew which is just as delicious but less soup-like. (If you’d like, you can add handfuls of greens in the last few minutes, like chopped spinach or kale).
- Taste and add additional salt to taste, and a few grinds black pepper. The soup lasts up to 1 week refrigerated (you can also freeze for up to 3 months). Leftovers can become very thick, so you can add a little water or broth when reheating.
Notes
*Most of what you’ll find in stores are split red lentils, even if it doesn’t specify split on the package. Avoid buying whole red lentils.
Want it creamy? Stir in ½ cup coconut milk.
More lentil recipes
Lentils are some of the most nutritious foods on the planet! Here are some other lentil recipes to incorporate into your dinnertime routine:
- Go for brown lentils in our favorite simple lentil soup, or opt for Italian flavors in Italian lentil soup.
- Add curry paste for curry lentil soup or fan-favorite coconut lentil curry.
- Add lentils to lentil salad or French lentil salad.
