Okay, real talk—lentils don’t usually get people hyped up. They’re not exactly the prom queen of the pantry. But once you make this lentil soup, you might just start bragging about it to friends like you found a new band before they were cool. It’s cozy and hearty and the kind of thing you want on a rainy day with socks that don’t match (because, you know, laundry).

Also—the smell while it’s simmering? Kinda makes the whole house feel like a warm hug.

🥣 Recipe Card: Cozy Lentil Soup

Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 40 min
Servings: 6 bowls of goodness

Ingredients

• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 onion, chopped (white, brown, or yellow—whatever’s rolling around in your pantry)
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 large carrot, chopped (about 1 ¼ cups)
• 2 celery ribs, chopped (about 1 ¼ cups)
• 2 cups / 400g dried green or brown lentils, rinsed
• 400 g / 14 oz crushed tomato
• 1.5 litres / 1.5 quarts (6 cups) vegetable or chicken broth, low sodium
• ½ tsp cumin powder
• ½ tsp coriander powder
• 1 ½ tsp paprika powder
• 2 dried bay leaves
• Zest + juice of 1 lemon
• ¼ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp black pepper

To serve

• Chopped fresh parsley
• Warm bread (the crustier the better)

Instructions

1. Get things sizzling – Heat the olive oil in a big pot over medium heat. Toss in the onion, carrot, and celery. Stir for 5–6 minutes until the onion looks kinda see-through and smells amazing.
2. Garlic time—add your garlic and cook for 30 seconds. Don’t wander off — garlic burns faster than you think.
3. Flavor boost—Sprinkle in the cumin, coriander, and paprika. Give it a good stir so the veggies are coated in all that goodness.
4. The big pour—Add lentils, crushed tomato, broth, bay leaves, salt, and pepper. Stir.
5. Simmer & chill—Bring it to a boil, then drop the heat to low and let it simmer for 30–35 minutes. Stir here and there.
6. Finishing touches—Fish out the bay leaves. Add lemon zest and juice for that fresh kick. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
7. Serve it up—Ladle into bowls, top with parsley, and serve with bread for dipping. (Seriously, don’t skip the bread.)

❓ FAQ’s

Lentil Soup

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• Author: Emily
• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 6 servings 1x
• Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

A cozy, hearty lentil soup that might just make you brag about it to friends like you discovered a hidden gem. Comforting, flavorful, and perfect for mismatched-socks rainy days.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 large carrot, chopped (about 1 ¼ cups)
• 2 celery ribs, chopped (about 1 ¼ cups)
• 2 cups / 400g dried green or brown lentils, rinsed
• 400g / 14 oz crushed tomato
• 1.5 litres / 6 cups vegetable or chicken broth, low sodium
• ½ tsp cumin powder
• ½ tsp coriander powder
• 1 ½ tsp paprika powder
• 2 dried bay leaves
• Zest + juice of 1 lemon
• ¼ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp black pepper
• Chopped fresh parsley, to serve
• Warm crusty bread, to serve

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Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add onion, carrot, and celery. Cook 5–6 minutes until onion is translucent.
2. Add garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
3. Sprinkle in cumin, coriander, and paprika. Stir to coat the vegetables.
4. Add lentils, crushed tomato, broth, bay leaves, salt, and pepper. Stir.
5. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer for 30–35 minutes, stirring occasionally.
6. Remove bay leaves. Stir in lemon zest and juice. Adjust seasoning if needed.
7. Ladle into bowls, top with parsley, and serve with bread for dipping.

Notes

Freezer-friendly for up to 3 months. No need to soak lentils first. Red lentils cook faster and create a creamier texture. Can be made in a slow cooker—cook on low 6–7 hours or high 3–4 hours, adding lemon juice at the end.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Category: Soup
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: Comfort Food

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 bowl
• Calories: 280
• Sugar: 6g
• Sodium: 420mg
• Fat: 8g
• Saturated Fat: 1g
• Unsaturated Fat: 6g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 40g
• Fiber: 15g
• Protein: 15g
• Cholesterol: 0mg

Keywords: lentil soup, cozy, hearty, vegetarian, comfort food

In Conclusion

This lentil soup isn’t just a “healthy choice”—it’s legit comfort food. You get that smoky paprika warmth, the freshness from the lemon, and the kind of hearty bite that keeps you full without making you feel like you just ate a brick. And honestly, it’s a weeknight hero: cheap, easy, and tastes even better the next day.