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Lemon-Herb Lentil Soup

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The ultimate pantry rescue! This healthy, hearty, and vibrant Lemon-Herb Lentil Soup is a delicious vegetarian meal that's ready in just 20 minutes.
Course Side Dish, Soup
Cuisine American, French, Italian
Keyword easy vegetarian recipes, healthy vegetarian meals,, food rescue,
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings 4 people
Calories 718
Author Lylun Nahar

Ingredients

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 large onion, chopped

2 carrots, chopped

2 celery stalks, chopped

3 cloves of garlic, minced

1 1/2 cups brown or green lentils, rinsed

6 cups vegetable broth

1 teaspoon dried thyme

1 bay leaf

Salt and black pepper, to taste

For Serving:

Juice of 1 large lemon (about 3-4 tablespoons)

1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped

Instructions

Sauté the Veggies: Heat the olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the onion, carrots, and celery. Cook for 5-7 minutes, until softened. Add the minced garlic and cook for one more minute until fragrant.

  • An-overhead-view-of-the-simple-pantry-ingredients-for-lentil-soup-lentils-carrots-celery-onion-and-garlic.

Simmer the Soup: Add the rinsed lentils, vegetable broth, dried thyme, and the bay leaf to the pot. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it gently simmer for 20-25 minutes, or until the lentils are tender.

Season: Remove the bay leaf. Season the soup generously with salt and pepper to your taste.

    The Magic Step: Just before serving, stir in the fresh lemon juice and the chopped parsley. This will instantly brighten up all the flavors.

    Serve: Ladle the soup into warm bowls. Serve with a dollop of yogurt or a side of crusty bread for dipping.

    Notes

    Kitchen Rescue Tips!

    • The Problem: "My soup tastes bland and earthy!"
    • The Quick Fix: Don't skip the last step! The fresh lemon juice is the most important ingredient. Its acidity cuts through the earthiness of the lentils and makes the whole soup taste bright and alive. Also, be sure to add enough salt. Lentils need a good amount of salt to taste their best.
    • The Problem: "My soup is too thick!"
    • The Rescue: Easy! Just stir in another splash of vegetable broth or water until it reaches the consistency you love.
    • The Problem: "My soup is too thin!"
    • The Rescue: The easiest fix is to simply let it simmer with the lid off for another 5-10 minutes. For a creamier fix, you can scoop out about a cup of the soup, blend it until smooth, and then stir it back into the pot.
    For a full nutritional disclaimer, please see our Disclaimer page.
     
    Nutrition Facts
    Servings: 4
    Amount per serving  
    Calories 718
    % Daily Value*
    Total Fat 29.9g 38%
    Saturated Fat 5.2g 26%
    Cholesterol 0mg 0%
    Sodium 598mg 26%
    Total Carbohydrate 107.6g 39%
    Dietary Fiber 38.1g 136%
    Total Sugars 6.7g  
    Protein 25.4g  
    Vitamin D 0mcg 0%
    Calcium 995mg 77%
    Iron 54mg 298%
    Potassium 1765mg 38%