Authentic Provençal Lentil Soup with Preserved Lemon
A rustic, deeply flavorful soup honoring Southern French traditions, featuring slow-simmered lentils, aromatic herbs, and the bright tang of preserved lemon. This mediterranean-inspired soups (vegetarian) ready in about 75 minutes pairs green lentils, vegetable broth, medium carrots for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 210 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1 cup green lentils
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- 2 medium carrots
- 1 medium onion
- 2 stalks celery
- 3 cloves garlic
- 1 preserved lemon
- 2 sprigs fresh thyme
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley
Instructions
- Step 1: Rinse 1 cup green lentils under cold water and drain. Finely dice 2 medium carrots, 1 medium onion, and 2 celery stalks. Mince 3 garlic cloves. Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add diced vegetables and cook for 7 minutes until softened but not browned.
- Step 2: Stir in 1 cup rinsed green lentils, 4 cups vegetable broth, 2 sprigs fresh thyme, and 1 preserved lemon (rind and pulp, finely chopped). Bring to a gentle simmer, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 45 minutes until lentils are tender but not mushy.
- Step 3: Remove thyme sprigs. Stir in 1 tbsp lemon juice and 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. Simmer uncovered for 5 more minutes until soup thickens slightly and flavors meld. Serve hot with extra parsley for garnish.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Authentic Provençal Lentil Soup with Preserved Lemon take to make?
Total time is about 75 minutes (20 min prep + 55 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Authentic Provençal Lentil Soup with Preserved Lemon?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep green lentils from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Authentic Provençal Lentil Soup with Preserved Lemon?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Authentic Provençal Lentil Soup with Preserved Lemon for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
Is Authentic Provençal Lentil Soup with Preserved Lemon vegetarian?
Yes — this recipe is tagged vegetarian based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
What others are saying
- ★★★★☆
Tasty recipe. I'd add a bit more seasoning next time.
- ★★★☆☆
It was fine. Came out a bit bland for my taste.
