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.
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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: just omit the bouillon, substitute a vegetarian 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
- 1 lb 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 (4 oz) 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 (64 oz) 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.
Begin with 8 cups (64 oz) of water in the pot, 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.
Finally, 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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Five Minute Lentil Soup
Just 5 minutes needed to put everything into the pot. The heat does all the work, and you'll have the most delicious and nutritious soup only minutes later.
Ingredients
- 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
- 1/2 cup tomato puree, or a chopped, very ripe tomato
- 2 tsp Better Than Bouillon Reduced Sodium Chicken (omit or use vegetarian/vegan Better Than Bouillon)
- about 1 1/2 tsp Kosher salt (more or less to taste) and pepper, as desired
Instructions
- 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 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 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.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 8 Serving Size: 12 ozAmount Per Serving:Calories: 118Total Fat: 4gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 0mgCarbohydrates: 13.5gFiber: 0gSugar: 0gProtein: 6g
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I will surely make this often however…please clarify why 8 cups of water is listed twice.
Thank you.
Oh my goodness, Sue, I am sorry, that’s an error! I never noticed that and no one else brought it to my attention (I even had friends make it last week)! Thank you for catching that and it’s been edited. :) Enjoy the soup!
IT’S SO DELICIOUS! I’ve made it every week for us and given some to friends and family to enjoy. I cannot keep this to myself!!! Thank you SO much. I will hit the Five Stars for sure!
Thank you so very much, Sue! Love to hear it!
[…] legumes aren’t the only lucky beans! Lentils are celebrated and eaten as a new year tradition in Italy, […]
Made this especially for my husband who loves all things lentil. All ingredients were staples I had on hand and recipe couldn’t have been easier. Who knew such a delicious soup could be prepared in 5 minutes and on the table in 30? Thanks Chrisitina for yet another amazing recipe.
That’s fantastic, Cathy! So happy you found the recipe as it’s honestly one of my favorite soups! Thank you for letting me know (could I ask if you could leave a star rating which is found within the recipe card above? No need to write anything or sign in. Thank you!)
Hi Christina
Would love to make this soup but wonder if could let me know what size bag of lentils you used or could you give the approx. amount in cups or grams etc. and if you have any preference as to what colour lentil you prefer as I have green, brown and red on hand at the moment. I usually buy my lentils from a local health food store with the bags always being approx. 800. grams. If I happen to buy lentils in my local grocery store instead, the store brand lentil bags are either 150-200 grams or sold in 1kg bags in the ethnic foods isle… so you can understand why an approx. amount of lentils you used for your recipe would be very helpful.
Thank you, Christina
Hi Jocelyn, I have a 1 lb bag of lentils listed in the ingredients both in the body of the recipe and the printable recipe card. You must have missed them both. For this recipe, I use brown or green. If you want to use red lentils, I have another recipe for a Scottish soup I make with those. Enjoy whichever soup you make! CC
[…] probably be called “easy soup” as it’s super easy to make, but isn’t the quickest soup we make. Don’t get me wrong, it will be ready to eat in 20 to 30 minutes, depending on how you make […]
I haven’t been able to find low sodium Better Than Boullion. Is there any reason I shouldn’t use low sodium chicken broth in place of the water and boullion?
That would be great. You can even use water, it will still taste good with enough salt! :)
So simple, yet so tasty! Also makes a big batch, so plenty to freeze if you want to even after eating some.
This is such a quick and filling soup! Perfect for a cold day last minute meal.
Buonissimo!!I made this the other night and I could not believe how easy and delicious it was! I always sauté my vegetables first so I was a bit hesitant and even considered doing that but I am glad I followed the recipe exactly!! (I did add 2 carrots and used vegetable broth because my daughter is vegan) A nutritious and delicious soup that anyone can make!! Thank you!!!
I usually saute my veggies for soup, too, but not in this recipe. Glad you tried it and liked it, Marisa! Thanks for coming back to leave a lovely review! It’s very much appreciated! :)
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So I am making this soup for the first time, and I accidentally poured the entire 28 ounce can of tomato puree in the pot without thinking! (Mommy brain got me!). Help!!! Is there anyway I can salvage this?!
Don’t worry, Rebecca, some of the best recipes were discovered by mistakes!! You’re going to have tomato lentil soup!! ;) Let me know how it tastes! :)
Christina, I love this lentil soup. I’ve made it about 6 times already and recently shared the recipe with a friend. It’s now our favourite winter soup. I’ve been using the green lentils but will try the brown as well. Thank you.
Thank you, Petunia! I’m so happy you love the recipe so much, especially since it’s so nutritious! Happy new year! CC
Another one for the awesome file from Christina. Delicious soup and every recipe I try, I love.
You are so sweet, Elaine! Thank you! I do LOVE this soup, too!! :)
[…] Five Minute Lentil Soup Recipe […]
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
Love quick and easy soups! This lentil soup sounds fast and easy!
One of the quickest I know!
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!
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! :)
Perfect soup for winter! Love how simple it is to make.
It is, perfect for winter!
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.
Good idea, Nancy!
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,
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
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.
Awesome, Michelle! It does freeze really well!
And we ALL have 5 minutes! Will definitely be trying this over the winter months. Soups ‘r’ Us!
Awesome, David! I think you’ll love it!
Damn this is good.
I love your site, so nice and easy recipes.
Thank you so much, Bradley!! Love to hear it! :) CC
Love this soup Christina and am putting it on the to make soon list:-)
Yay! Your whole family will love it, too! :)
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! :)
You could make it, too!
That looks delicious. The idea that it takes five minutes makes it even more appealing!
I know, right?
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!
Absolutely, Cynthia!!
I’ve never had lentil soup. Who can beat five minutes? Definitely worth adding to my shopping list. Thanks, jen
And lentils are so nutritious, too!
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!
Sounds great, Andi!
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!
Yes! I do that, too! :)
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!
[…] soup arrived, she immediately looked at me with concern: it didn’t resemble “our” lentil soup, was what “the look” told me she was thinking. I had forgotten to tell her that the […]
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Grazie!!
Veramente ottima!!!