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Hearty lentil vegetable soup in a bowl made with lentils, carrots, celery, spinach, and tomatoes in a rich herb broth, healthy plant-based comfort food

Hearty Lentil Vegetable Soup

This Hearty Lentil Vegetable Soup is a rich, nourishing, and protein-packed healthy homemade soup recipe made with tender lentils, fresh vegetables, and a flavorful tomato herb broth. Naturally vegan, gluten-free, and high in fiber, this easy lentil soup recipe is perfect for cozy dinners, meal prep, and wholesome family meals. Warm, satisfying, and budget-friendly, it’s the ultimate comforting vegetable soup for any day of the week.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Course Soup
Cuisine Mediterranean
Servings 6 people
Calories 114 kcal

Equipment

  • Large soup pot or Dutch oven (for even cooking and deep flavor development)
  • Sharp chef’s knife (for chopping vegetables efficiently)
  • Cutting board (for safe and easy prep work)
  • Wooden spoon or heat-safe spatula (for stirring the soup while it simmers)
  • Measuring cups and spoons — for accurate ingredient portions
  • Ladle (for serving the hot, hearty lentil soup)
  • Colander or fine mesh strainer (for rinsing lentils before cooking)

Ingredients
  

Soup Base

  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 onion medium, diced
  • 4 cloves garlic minced
  • 2 carrots diced
  • 2 celery stalks diced
  • 1 potato medium, diced
  • 1 cup brown or green lentils dry and rinsed
  • 6 cups vegetable broth
  • 1 14oz diced tomatoes canned
  • 1 cup green beans chopped
  • 2 cups spinach fresh
  • 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice fresh
  • 1 tsp sea salt or to taste

Spices & Flavor Boosters

  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • ½ tsp thyme
  • ½ tsp cumin
  • ¼ tsp black pepper
  • 1 bay leaf

Optional

  • 1 tbsp tomato paste
  • pinch red pepper flakes
  • fresh basil or parsley for garnish

Instructions
 

  • Sauté the aromatics
    In a large soup pot or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion, carrots, and celery. Cook for about 5–6 minutes until softened.
    Stir in the garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
  • Build the flavor
    Add the tomato paste (if using) and stir for about 1 minute. This helps deepen the flavor of the broth.
  • Add the lentils and broth
    Stir in the lentils, diced potatoes, canned tomatoes, vegetable broth, green beans, and all the spices. Add the bay leaf and bring the soup to a gentle boil.
  • Simmer
    Reduce heat to low and let the soup simmer uncovered for about 30–35 minutes, or until the lentils and vegetables are tender. Stir occasionally.
  • Add the greens
    Stir in the fresh spinach during the last 3–4 minutes of cooking so it wilts into the soup.
  • Finish the soup
    Remove the bay leaf. Stir in the balsamic vinegar and fresh lemon juice to brighten the flavors. Taste and adjust salt and seasoning if needed.
  • Serve
    Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with fresh basil or parsley. A drizzle of olive oil or extra lemon juice on top adds even more flavor.
    • For the best results with this Hearty Lentil Vegetable Soup recipe, always simmer the soup low and slow to fully develop the rich, savory flavors of the lentils, vegetables, and herbs. Letting the soup rest before serving enhances the depth of this healthy plant-based soup, making it even more flavorful the next day—perfect for meal prep, freezer meals, and high-fiber healthy eating.

Notes

  • This Hearty Lentil Vegetable Soup recipe is a nutrient-dense, high-fiber, plant-based meal that delivers long-lasting fullness and balanced nutrition.
  • For best flavor, allow the soup to rest 10–15 minutes after cooking so the lentil soup flavors deepen and meld beautifully.
  • The combination of smoked paprika, oregano, thyme, cumin, garlic, and tomato broth creates a rich, savory, restaurant-quality taste in this easy homemade vegetable soup.
  • Adding balsamic vinegar and fresh lemon juice at the end is essential for brightening the flavor and balancing the earthy lentils.
  • This healthy lentil soup recipe is perfect for meal prep, batch cooking, and freezer-friendly lunches and dinners.
  • The soup thickens naturally as it sits; add extra vegetable broth when reheating if a lighter consistency is desired.
  • For extra nutrition, you can boost the recipe with additional leafy greens, making it an even more powerful vegetarian detox soup.
  • This is a budget-friendly, high-protein, vegan comfort food recipe ideal for busy weeknights and wholesome family meals.

Nutrition

Serving: 1460Calories: 114kcalCarbohydrates: 17gProtein: 2gFat: 5gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gSodium: 1377mgPotassium: 393mgFiber: 3gSugar: 6gVitamin A: 5186IUVitamin C: 17mgCalcium: 42mgIron: 1mg
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