5 Minute Lentil Soup literally takes 5 minutes to put all the ingredients into a pot. Then just let it simmer and you’ll have one of the most delicious, and easiest, soups you’ll ever have!
Originally published April 15, 2012.
Even if you don’t have time to cook, there is no excuse for not making this 5 Minute Lentil Soup recipe.
It takes just 5 minutes to “throw” everything in a pot, and turn on the burner. The heat does all the work, turning your ingredients into the most delicious, healthy, unprocessed soup!
NOTE: For a vegetarian version, just omit the bouillon -or use homemade stock to make this soup vegetarian/vegan and unprocessed.
Light and Tasty Pea Soup Recipe
Just how healthy can this little legume be? Well, lentils are great for lowering cholesterol, they’re high in fiber, and iron (great for vegetarians). Lentils also fill you up so you eat less! I always have at least one bag in my pantry, but those of you in colder climates would do well to stock up with a few bags.
5 Minute Lentil Soup
recipe by Christina Conte
Ingredients
- 1lb bag of lentils (brown or green)
- 1 large onion, chopped into small pieces
- 1 or 2 celery stalks, chopped
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1/2 cup tomato puree, or a chopped, very ripe tomato
- 2 tsp Better Than Bouillon Reduced Sodium Chicken (omit for vegetarian/vegan or if using stock)
- 8 cups water (or use homemade or all-natural chicken stock instead of bouillon)
- about 1 1/2 tsp Kosher or sea salt (more or less to taste) and pepper, as desired
Place the lentils in a large pot, and rinse several times, checking for foreign objects.
rinsing the lentils
Add 8 cups of water to start, adding more later if necessary.
Next, add the chopped onion, celery and the olive oil. The tomato puree, and the bouillon go in next, if using. Add about 1 1/2 teaspoons of Kosher salt (at least 2 tsp. if not using bouillon).
Bring to a boil, over medium high heat, then simmer over med-low heat, (adding more water if necessary) stirring occasionally, until lentils are done (about 30 mins). 5 Minute Lentil Soup won’t win any beauty contests, but you won’t care when you taste it.
Add more salt, pepper and olive oil if desired. Now don’t tell me that wasn’t super quick and easy?
Serve immediately, and enjoy! I love a little freshly ground pepper on mine.
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- 8 cups water
- 1lb bag of lentils (brown or green)
- 1 large onion, chopped into small pieces
- 1 or 2 celery stalks, chopped
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- ½ cup tomato puree, or a chopped, very ripe tomato
- 2 tsp Better Than Bouillon Reduced Sodium Chicken (omit for vegetarian/vegan or if using stock)
- 8 cups water (or use homemade or all-natural chicken stock instead of water for unprocessed)
- about 1½ tsp Kosher salt (more or less to taste) and pepper, as desired
- Place the lentils in a large pot, and rinse several times, checking for foreign objects.
- Add 8 cups of water to start, adding more later if necessary.
- Add the chopped onion, celery, olive oil, tomato puree, and the bouillion, if using. Add about 1½ teaspoons of Kosher salt (at least 2 tsp. if not using bouillon).
- Bring to a boil, over medium high heat, then simmer over med-low heat, (adding more water if it's too thick) stirring occasionally, until lentils are done (about 30 mins.)
- Add more salt, pepper and olive oil if desired.
- Serve with warm, crusty bread.
Elaine Wade
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Another one for the awesome file from Christina. Delicious soup and every recipe I try, I love.
Christina
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You are so sweet, Elaine! Thank you! I do LOVE this soup, too!! :)
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[…] Five Minute Lentil Soup Recipe […]
Ulrike
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Born and raised in Germany we had Lentilsoup on the Table a lot and it’s still one of my favorite soups . After moving to the United States many years ago that was one of the dishes I did not need to read a cookbook for , learning how to convert from metric to cups and ounces .My husband learned to love it over the years and my girls now cook it for their families .Never run out – always buy two bags – one for now and one for later :-) since I have to cut down on Salt I played with spices and add a little cumin and about a teaspoon of curry to the soup . Otherwise our recipes are identical . Thanks for posting and I really look forward to your posts . Lots of bringing me back to the days when my family traveled Italy during the summer break while I grew up . Thank you – greetings from Indianapolis IN
Cynthia | What A Girl Eats
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Love quick and easy soups! This lentil soup sounds fast and easy!
Christina
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One of the quickest I know!
Joanne
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Thanks Christina!!! Made the Lentil Soup as per your recipe and it couldn’t be easier and tasted like my Mom’s! I did add the chopped spinach because my husband and I both spinach. No more canned lentil soup in our house! Soooo easy and only one pot!
Christina
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Woo hoo! Love to hear that, Joanne! If only everybody knew how easy this is, we’d have a country of lentil soup lovers! Thanks so much for letting me know! :)
Cathy A
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Perfect soup for winter! Love how simple it is to make.
Christina
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It is, perfect for winter!
Nancy
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Lentil soup is a long standing family comfort food for me. Try adding a tsp or two of porcini mushroom powder for an even deeper flavor.
Christina
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Good idea, Nancy!
Joanne
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Hi Christina….It’s been awhile since I commented (due to computer problems) but I do read every one of your emails! I love Lentil soup! I knew that lentils cook fast but I did not know that I could put everything together with the beans and cook it all at one time!!! Thank you! I bought dried lentils after Thanksgiving but just keep looking at them when I opened the pantry door. With your recipe, and I have all the ingredients on hand, I will make this tomorrow! We are having extremely cold weather here in the South so this dish will be perfect! I grew up with Lentil Soup….my Italian Mom made it often in the winter but she always cooked the beans first and I guess that is why I still have the dried lentils in my pantry! She also added a little chopped spinach to her lentil soup and if you like spinach it is delicious with the lentils and even more healthy!
Grazie!
Molta fortuna, salute e felicita nel nuovo anno,
Christina
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Hi Joanne! Nice to hear from you again! Thank you for your lovely comment. I’m glad you’ll be able to stop looking at the lentils in your pantry (haha!) I’m sure you’ll love this soup, and yes, I can imagine, spinach would be a fabulous addition. In fact, I think I will try that next time. Why not add even more goodness to this soup? Let me know how you like it and Happy New Year to you, too! :) Christina
Michelle
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Yes had 99 percent of ingredients already just missing celery so used carrot. Finally got rid of that bag of green lentils. That’s why I like Nigel Slater so much I can watch his show then make it. I always add pepper to my soup. This is also good for a budget meal as it goes far and would do a couple of days or more if you freeze it.
Christina
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Awesome, Michelle! It does freeze really well!
David
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And we ALL have 5 minutes! Will definitely be trying this over the winter months. Soups ‘r’ Us!
Christina
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Awesome, David! I think you’ll love it!
Bradley
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Damn this is good.
I love your site, so nice and easy recipes.
Christina
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Thank you so much, Bradley!! Love to hear it! :) CC
Camilla
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Love this soup Christina and am putting it on the to make soon list:-)
Christina
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Yay! Your whole family will love it, too! :)
Local Adventurer
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5 minute recipe? i’m in! i don’t think i’ve ever cooked lentils before.. but i’m going to pass this along to the husband and see if he wants to try making this! :)
Christina
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You could make it, too!
Lois Alter Mark
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That looks delicious. The idea that it takes five minutes makes it even more appealing!
Christina
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I know, right?
Cynthia/What A Girl Eats
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Perfect! People don’t always realize how simple homemade soups are! By the time you’ve opened the “can”, and added the water, you could have a tastier, healthier, homemade soup!
Christina
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Absolutely, Cynthia!!
jen
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I’ve never had lentil soup. Who can beat five minutes? Definitely worth adding to my shopping list. Thanks, jen
Christina
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And lentils are so nutritious, too!
Andi
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My hubby makes lentil soup all the time and I love it! so warm and comforting. Sometimes we add a little lamb sausage on the side too!
Christina
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Sounds great, Andi!
Katie @ Domestiphobia
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This looks simple and delicious! I’ve only done lentil chili, but I’m going to bookmark this for next time my husband has to go out of town. Looks like a perfect “dinner for one” (who doesn’t constantly feel the need for meat). Ha!
Christina
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Yes! I do that, too! :)
sue|theviewfromgreatisland
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My husband adores lentils and he’s always asking for them, I will make this for him next time, I love how quick it is!
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Christina
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Grazie!!
Mammazan
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Veramente ottima!!!