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!
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NOTE: just omit the bouillon, substitute a vegetarian bouillon, or use homemade stock
to make this soup vegetarian/vegan and unprocessed.
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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).
Maybe you’ve never had Scottish red lentil soup. If not, it’s another delicious option!
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 serves 8
FULL PRINTABLE RECIPE BELOW
Ingredients
- water
- lentils (brown or green)
- onion
- celery
- extra virgin olive oil
- tomato puree, or a very ripe tomato
- Better Than Bouillon Reduced Sodium Chicken or Vegetarian/Vegan stock base
- Kosher salt
- black pepper
How to Make the Lentil Soup
Place the lentils in a large pot, and rinse several times, checking for foreign objects.
Rinse.
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 or sauce, 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
Ingredients
- 8 cups water
- 1 lb lentils (brown or green)
- 1 large onion (chopped into small pieces)
- 2 stalks celery (chopped)
- 2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- ½ cup tomato puree (or a chopped, very ripe tomato/ or a squeeze or two of tomato paste)
- 2 tsp chicken bouillon (Better Than Bouillon Reduced Sodium Chicken or Vegetarian/Vegan stock base)
- 1 ½ tsp Kosher salt (more or less to taste)
- ⅛ tsp pepper (as desired)
Instructions
- Place the lentils in a large pot, and rinse several times, checking for foreign objects.
- Add 8 cups (2 litres) 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 ½ 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.
Notes
- Make this vegan by substituting the chicken stock with vegetable stock.
Nutrition
Christina’s Cucina is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.
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!