Name: Hearty Lentil Soup
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 6 servings
Ingredients: 1.5 cups green or brown lentils, rinsed; 6 cups vegetable broth; 14.5 oz diced tomatoes, 1 can; 1 medium yellow onion, diced; 2 medium carrots, diced; 2 stalks celery stalks, diced; 4 cloves garlic, minced; 2 tbsp olive oil; 1 tsp cumin; 1 tsp smoked paprika; 1/2 tsp turmeric; 2 cups fresh spinach; 1 whole lemon, juiced; to taste salt and pepper

Lentils, veggies, and spices simmering together make this one of those fill-you-up soups that gets better with time.

Soups & Stews · Prep 10 min · Cook 35 min · Serves 6 · Easy · By Tina · Published 2026-03-02

Ingredients

A Humble Bowl With Extraordinary Depth

Lentil soup is one of those recipes that proves expensive ingredients aren't what make a great dish. A bag of lentils, some aromatic vegetables, and the right spices create something so warming and deeply satisfying that I crave it all through autumn and winter.

The Aromatic Base

Dice onion, carrots, and celery finely. Sauté in olive oil over medium heat until soft and slightly golden, about 8 minutes. Add minced garlic, ground cumin, coriander, smoked paprika, and a pinch of turmeric. Cook for one minute until the spices bloom and fill your kitchen with the most incredible aroma.

Simmering the Lentils

Add rinsed green or brown lentils (they hold their shape beautifully), diced tomatoes, and vegetable broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a gentle simmer. Cook uncovered for 25-30 minutes until the lentils are tender but not falling apart. Stir in a big handful of fresh spinach or kale in the last few minutes.

Adjusting the Texture

I like my lentil soup somewhere between brothy and thick. If yours is too thin, use an immersion blender to purée just a portion of it. If it's too thick, add a splash of broth. A squeeze of lemon juice at the end brightens everything up beautifully and is completely essential.

Serving

Ladle into deep bowls. Drizzle with your best olive oil, add a dollop of yoghurt if you like, and serve with warm crusty bread for dunking.

Tina's Tips

Bloom your spices in oil for one minute before adding liquid -- this is where the depth of flavour lives
Don't skip the lemon juice at the end; it lifts the entire bowl from good to great
Green or brown lentils hold their shape best; red lentils dissolve into a purée (which is lovely, but different)
This soup thickens as it sits -- add extra broth when reheating leftovers

Hearty Lentil Soup