Name: Best Lentil Soup
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 6
Ingredients: 1 tbsp olive oil; 1 cup chopped onion ((1 medium-sized)); 3 big cloves of garlic, (minced); 1 head of cauliflower, (chopped (medium-sized) (500 g)); 1 cup chopped carrot ((about 1/2 of a big one)); 1 cup chopped celery; 3 cups dried lentils, (brown or green, rinsed and drained (600 g)); 14 oz chopped tomatoes ((400 g)); 8 cups vegetable broth ((2 liters)); Spice mix: 1 1/2 tsp onion powder, (1 tsp ground cumin, 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes, 1/2 tsp ground coriander, 1/2 tsp ground caraway seeds, 1/2 tsp smoked paprika powder, 1/2 tsp turmeric powder, 1/2 tsp minced fresh ginger, 1/2 tsp brown sugar, sea salt, and pepper to taste); 2 dried bay leaves; 2 tbsp soy sauce; 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar; 1/8 cup coconut milk or coconut cream ((optional))

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Best Lentil Soup Recipe

So, Christmas is in 5 days and everyone is posting their favorite Christmas cookie recipes. And I am like: “Guys, check out my Best Lentil Soup Recipe” haha. Well, sometimes you have to be a rebel, don’t you?! I mean, it’s not that this soup cannot be eaten on Christmas. In fact, it totally can be part of a delicious Christmas dinner. I really love how this recipe came out and my boyfriend was over the moon when he tried the soup. He said it was the best soup he ever ate.

I love lentils and I have posted a couple of lentil recipes before, like this 1-Pot Lentil Dal or this Lentil Stew With Mashed Potatoes or these Healthy Taco Cups Filled With Lentils or these Vegan Enchiladas with Lentils and this Potato Bake With Lentils. Lentils are simply amazing and so versatile. And I love the fact that you don’t need to soak them overnight like beans. They are quickly prepared and very good for us because they contain lots of healthy plant-based protein.

Quick, easy and inexpensive recipe

For this best lentil soup, I’ve used mainly pantry ingredients which probably everyone has at home. Also, it took me just 45 minutes to cook this delicious dish. This soup is furthermore quite inexpensive. None of the ingredients cost a fortune, so if you are on a budget, this recipe is definitely for you.

One Pot Best Lentil Soup

Talking about easy recipes. This lentil stew is very easy to prepare and you’ll need just one single large pot. How awesome is it to use only 1 pot. Less clean-up is always much appreciated. Be prepared that you’ll need a big pot though. I used the biggest one that we have because this recipe makes a lot of soup. It serves at least 4-6 hungry people. I must admit though that my boyfriend and I ate almost all of it on the first day. But like mentioned in other blog posts before, we eat a lot, haha.

This Lentil Soup is:

Satisfying
Flavorful
Hearty
Vegan
Gluten-free
Healthy
Made in one pot
Easy to make
A great comfort meal
Ready in 45 minutes

So much flavor

I don’t eat soups very often but when I do, I add lots of different spices. Eating a bland soup or stew is no fun, that’s why this lentil soup contains delicious spices which are flavorful and healthy. Bay leaves, cumin, and coriander are just some of them. Also, the fresh veggies like celery, cauliflower, and carrot add a nice flavor.

Freezer friendly recipe

This delicious lentil soup freezes well. And like mentioned before this recipe makes A LOT OF SOUP. You can make it today and enjoy it whenever you want!

If you make this lentil soup and maybe even take a photo of it, then I would love to see it. You can DM it to me on Instagram. Don’t forget to tag me in your Insta caption + photo with @elavegan and use the hashtag #elavegan and I will gladly check out your post.

best lentil soup with coconut milk in a large pot vegan recipe

Print Recipe

5 from 9 votes

Best Lentil Soup

This best lentil soup recipe (that's how my boyfriend called it) is super comforting, hearty, flavorful, and easy to make. The stew is vegan, gluten-free, inexpensive, and made in one pot only. The recipe makes A LOT of soup but fortunately, it freezes well.

Prep Time15 mins

Cook Time30 mins

Total Time45 mins

Course: Main Course

Servings:

Author: Ela

Ingredients

1 tbsp olive oil
1 cup chopped onion (1 medium-sized)
3 big cloves of garlic, minced
1 head of cauliflower, chopped (medium-sized) (500 g)
1 cup chopped carrot (about 1/2 of a big one)
1 cup chopped celery
3 cups dried lentils, brown or green, rinsed and drained (600 g)
14 oz chopped tomatoes (400 g)
8 cups vegetable broth (2 liters)
Spice mix: 1 1/2 tsp onion powder, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes, 1/2 tsp ground coriander, 1/2 tsp ground caraway seeds, 1/2 tsp smoked paprika powder, 1/2 tsp turmeric powder, 1/2 tsp minced fresh ginger, 1/2 tsp brown sugar, sea salt, and pepper to taste
2 dried bay leaves
2 tbsp soy sauce
1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
1/8 cup coconut milk or coconut cream (optional)

Instructions

Heat oil in a LARGE pot over medium heat and add the chopped onion. Cook for 3 minutes, then add garlic, carrot, and celery, and cook for 3 more minutes.
Add the spice mix, the lentils, cauliflower, and broth and bring to a boil.
Now add the bay leaves and cook the soup with a lid on for about 5 minutes.
Then add the chopped tomatoes and stir. Let the soup simmer for a further 20-25 minutes or until the lentils are cooked but not mushy.
Finally, add the soy sauce and balsamic vinegar. You can also add coconut milk or cream but this step is optional.
Garnish with fresh herbs and enjoy! Can be also served with rice or bread.

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Comments

Naomi Bonner says
December 20, 2018 at 11:31 pm

This is, by far, the BEST VEGETARIAN SOUP I have EVER esten!!!!
Thank you, so much, for sharing it.

- Ela says
  December 20, 2018 at 11:56 pm
  
  Aww, I am so glad you liked my lentil soup! Thanks so much for your awesome feedback, Naomi! 🙂
  
Dee | Green Smoothie Gourmet says
December 21, 2018 at 11:09 pm

Oh my gosh Ela! This soup looks absolutely perfect for a crowd! And I have recently begun to really embrace lentils. I always feel so good after eating them. Thank you for another terrific recipe. Dee xx

- Ela says
  December 22, 2018 at 1:28 am
  
  Thank you, Dee! Yes, lentils are amazing and so good for us. 🙂
  Sending you much love ❤️
  
Tracy says
December 28, 2018 at 7:37 pm

I’ve been searching for a lentil soup with just the right combination of spices to mimic a hot bowl of lentil soup I once had at a Berlin Kneipe on a cold November night. This is it! Thank you so much!

- Ela says
  December 29, 2018 at 3:01 am
  
  That’s wonderful! Thanks for your great feedback, Tracy. 🙂
  
Kelly Michael Flynn says
December 30, 2018 at 1:27 am

Thanks for the recipe. Its looks very delicious. I think lentil soup is the stand by vegan soup to me.

- Ela says
  December 30, 2018 at 1:47 am
  
  Thank you, Kelly! Yes, it’s especially enjoyable to eat lentil soup in winter. 🙂
  
Estella says
January 5, 2019 at 5:02 am

This truly is the Best lentil soup. Made this for dinner and ate half by myself. Your recipes are always a hit Thank you

- Ela says
  January 5, 2019 at 5:59 pm
  
  Thanks a million, Estella! I am so happy you love this lentil soup. 🙂
  
Ilze says
February 6, 2019 at 1:19 pm

Hi Ela, how do you make your vegetable broth?

- Ela says
  February 7, 2019 at 1:37 pm
  
  I often use store-bought vegetable broth as I don’t have time to make it myself. 🙂
  
Gaelle says
February 12, 2019 at 9:24 pm

Didn’t have lentil so used split peas… It was soooo tasty! Thanks for this recipe as quick and easy as it is good!

- Ela says
  February 12, 2019 at 9:58 pm
  
  Sounds great as well! Thanks for your feedback! 🙂
  
Sylvia says
February 17, 2019 at 8:19 pm

Is it possible to make this in an instant pot?

- Ela says
  February 18, 2019 at 12:41 am
  
  I never tried it but I think it should work. 🙂
  
Audrey says
March 3, 2019 at 3:25 pm

That was so good!

- Ela says
  March 3, 2019 at 4:44 pm
  
  Great! I am glad you like the soup. 🙂
  
Emily B says
March 15, 2019 at 2:42 am

I made this tonight and even my 12 year old picky eater loved it! Easy to make and delish!

- Ela says
  March 15, 2019 at 1:06 pm
  
  Awesome! So happy you and your 12-year old loved it. Thanks for your feedback, Emily! 🙂
  
Valeria Corina Jara says
March 16, 2019 at 7:34 pm

This soup is awesome. It has so many of my favorite veggies that are healthy for mind and body. I must add that this one is nursing me through a cold that arrived timely for the weekend ._.

- Ela says
  March 16, 2019 at 7:46 pm
  
  I hope you feel much better soon! 🙂
  
Eni says
April 5, 2019 at 1:05 pm

Hi Ela,
I would love to try and make this tomorrow! Please tell me do you use celery sticks or root? Thanks a lot!

- Ela says
  April 6, 2019 at 2:06 am
  
  Sticks! 🙂
  
Margot says
April 14, 2019 at 12:55 pm

Name is adequate – this is certainly the best lentil soup I’ve ever had! Really easy to cook, and so delicious and healthy. Thank you for sharing! Also, thank you for always putting different measurements in your recipes (cups and grams), as a French living in the UK (used to grams rather than cups), it really makes it easier not to have to convert cups into grams all the time!! Sending my bests, M

- Ela says
  April 14, 2019 at 4:36 pm
  
  So happy you loved the recipe! Thanks a lot for your wonderful feedback, Margot! 🙂

Best Lentil Soup | Healthy 1-Pot Recipe