Hearty Vegan Lentil Soup – A Delicious 1-Pot Comfort Recipe

🎉 Introduction
This Hearty Vegan Lentil Soup is the definition of cozy, nourishing comfort food. Made in one pot with protein-rich lentils, colorful vegetables, and warming spices, it’s a satisfying meal that’s both wholesome and deeply flavorful. Perfect for chilly days, meal prep, or an easy weeknight dinner, this soup delivers big taste with minimal effort.

Naturally plant-based and filling, it’s ideal if you’re looking for a vegan dinner, a one-pot soup, or a budget-friendly meal that still feels hearty and complete.

🧰 Equipment Needed

• Large soup pot or Dutch oven
• Cutting board
• Sharp knife
• Wooden spoon or spatula
• Measuring cups and spoons

🛒 Ingredients

Base & Vegetables

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 large onion, diced
• 2 carrots, sliced
• 2 stalks celery, sliced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced

Protein & Liquid

• 1 cup dried lentils, rinsed
• 4–5 cups vegetable broth

Flavor & Seasoning

• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• ½ teaspoon dried thyme
• ½ teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper

Optional Add-Ins

• 1 can diced tomatoes
• 2 cups spinach or kale

These ingredients come together to create a rich, filling vegan lentil soup with balanced flavor and texture.

👩‍🍳 Directions

Step 1: Sauté the Vegetables

• Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.
• Add onion, carrots, and celery.
• Cook for 5–7 minutes until softened.

Step 2: Add Garlic and Spices

• Stir in garlic, cumin, paprika, thyme, salt, and black pepper.
• Cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.

Step 3: Add Lentils and Broth

• Add lentils and vegetable broth to the pot.
• Stir well and bring to a gentle boil.

Step 4: Simmer

• Reduce heat to low.
• Cover and simmer for 30–35 minutes, until lentils are tender.

Step 5: Add Optional Ingredients

• Stir in diced tomatoes and greens if using.
• Simmer for an additional 5 minutes until greens are wilted.

Step 6: Taste and Adjust

• Adjust seasoning as needed.
• Serve hot.

🍽️ Servings & Timing

• Servings: 4–6
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Total Time: About 50 minutes

🧊 Storage & Reheating

• Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
• Reheat on the stovetop or microwave until warmed through.
• Add a splash of broth if the soup thickens.

🥄 Variations

• Spicy: Add chili flakes or cayenne.
• Extra Hearty: Add diced potatoes or sweet potatoes.
• Creamy: Blend a portion of the soup and stir back in.
• Herby: Finish with fresh parsley or cilantro.
• Protein Boost: Add chickpeas along with lentils.

❓ 10 FAQs

1. Which lentils work best?
   Brown or green lentils hold their shape well.
2. Is this soup filling?
   Yes, lentils make it very satisfying.
3. Can I make it ahead?
   Yes, it tastes even better the next day.
4. Is this soup freezer-friendly?
   Yes, freeze for up to 2 months.
5. Can I use canned lentils?
   Yes, reduce cooking time accordingly.
6. Is this recipe gluten-free?
   Yes, naturally gluten-free.
7. Can kids eat this soup?
   Yes, it’s mild and comforting.
8. Can I use water instead of broth?
   Broth is recommended for best flavor.
9. Does it thicken over time?
   Yes, lentils naturally thicken the soup.
10. Can I blend it fully?
    Yes, for a smooth lentil soup texture.

🏁 Conclusion
This Hearty Vegan Lentil Soup is a simple, nourishing one-pot meal that’s comforting, filling, and perfect for everyday cooking.

Adam

Hearty Vegan Lentil Soup – A Delicious 1-Pot Comfort Recipe

This Hearty Vegan Lentil Soup is the definition of cozy, nourishing comfort food. Made in one pot with protein-rich lentils, colorful vegetables, and warming spices, it’s a satisfying meal that’s both wholesome and deeply flavorful. Perfect for chilly days, meal prep, or an easy weeknight dinner, this soup delivers big taste with minimal effort. Naturally plant-based and filling, it’s ideal if you’re looking for a vegan dinner, a one-pot soup, or a budget-friendly meal that still feels hearty and complete.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 40 minutes mins

Total Time 50 minutes mins

Servings: 6 servings

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

Base & Vegetables

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 large onion diced
• 2 carrots sliced
• 2 stalks celery sliced
• 3 cloves garlic minced

Protein & Liquid

• 1 cup dried lentils rinsed
• 4 –5 cups vegetable broth
• Flavor & Seasoning
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• ½ teaspoon dried thyme
• ½ teaspoon salt adjust to taste
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper

Optional Add-Ins

• 1 can diced tomatoes
• 2 cups spinach or kale
• These ingredients come together to create a rich filling vegan lentil soup with balanced flavor and texture.

Equipment

• Large soup pot or Dutch oven
• Cutting board
• Sharp knife
• Wooden spoon or spatula
• Measuring cups and spoons

Method

 

Step 1: Sauté the Vegetables

1. Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.
2. Add onion, carrots, and celery.
3. Cook for 5–7 minutes until softened.

Step 2: Add Garlic and Spices

1. Stir in garlic, cumin, paprika, thyme, salt, and black pepper.
2. Cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.

Step 3: Add Lentils and Broth

1. Add lentils and vegetable broth to the pot.
2. Stir well and bring to a gentle boil.

Step 4: Simmer

1. Reduce heat to low.
2. Cover and simmer for 30–35 minutes, until lentils are tender.

Step 5: Add Optional Ingredients

1. Stir in diced tomatoes and greens if using.
2. Simmer for an additional 5 minutes until greens are wilted.

Step 6: Taste and Adjust

1. Adjust seasoning as needed.
2. Serve hot.

Notes

🧊 Storage & Reheating

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

Reheat on the stovetop or microwave until warmed through.

Add a splash of broth if the soup thickens.

🥄 Variations

Spicy: Add chili flakes or cayenne.

Extra Hearty: Add diced potatoes or sweet potatoes.

Creamy: Blend a portion of the soup and stir back in.

Herby: Finish with fresh parsley or cilantro.

Protein Boost: Add chickpeas along with lentils.

❓ 10 FAQs

Which lentils work best?
Brown or green lentils hold their shape well.

Is this soup filling?
Yes, lentils make it very satisfying.

Can I make it ahead?
Yes, it tastes even better the next day.

Is this soup freezer-friendly?
Yes, freeze for up to 2 months.

Can I use canned lentils?
Yes, reduce cooking time accordingly.

Is this recipe gluten-free?
Yes, naturally gluten-free.

Can kids eat this soup?
Yes, it’s mild and comforting.

Can I use water instead of broth?
Broth is recommended for best flavor.

Does it thicken over time?
Yes, lentils naturally thicken the soup.

Can I blend it fully?
Yes, for a smooth lentil soup texture.

🏁 Conclusion
This Hearty Vegan Lentil Soup is a simple, nourishing one-pot meal that’s comforting, filling, and perfect for everyday cooking.