Hearty Tomato Lentil Soup (Printable)

Tangy tomato broth with hearty lentils, vegetables, and Mediterranean spices. Wholesome and satisfying.

# What You Need:

→ Vegetables

01 - 1 medium onion, finely chopped
02 - 2 medium carrots, diced
03 - 2 celery stalks, diced
04 - 3 garlic cloves, minced
05 - 14 oz canned diced tomatoes
06 - 1 tablespoon tomato paste

→ Lentils

07 - 1 cup dried brown or green lentils, rinsed

→ Liquids

08 - 5 cups vegetable broth
09 - 1 tablespoon olive oil

→ Spices & Seasonings

10 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
11 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
12 - 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
13 - 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
14 - 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
15 - 1 bay leaf

→ Finishing Touches

16 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
17 - 1/2 lemon, juiced

# Directions:

01 - Heat olive oil in large pot over medium heat. Add onion, carrots, and celery. Sauté for 5 minutes until softened.
02 - Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
03 - Add tomato paste, cumin, smoked paprika, thyme, and black pepper. Stir for 1 minute to develop spice flavors.
04 - Add diced tomatoes with juice, lentils, vegetable broth, bay leaf, and salt. Stir well and bring to boil.
05 - Reduce heat to low, cover pot, and simmer for 30 minutes until lentils are tender.
06 - Remove bay leaf. Stir in lemon juice and adjust seasoning as needed.
07 - Ladle into bowls and garnish with fresh parsley.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It's ready in under an hour, which somehow feels like cheating when the result tastes this good.
  • The lentils deliver real protein and fiber, so you actually feel nourished instead of just full.
  • Naturally vegan and gluten-free without any compromise on flavor or richness.
02 -
  • Don't skip rinsing the lentils—it removes dust and helps them cook more evenly.
  • The lemon juice at the end isn't optional; it transforms flat earthiness into bright complexity that makes people ask for the recipe.
03 -
  • If your soup tastes flat despite being well-seasoned, add more lemon juice instead of more salt—acidity is what makes it sing.
  • Toast the spices for that full minute; it's the difference between good soup and one people ask about at dinner parties.
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