Basic Lentil Soup with Simple Vegetable Stock
A frugal, nutrient-dense soup where humble lentils and seasonal vegetables form the foundation, mirroring budget-conscious meal planning. This french-inspired soups (vegetarian) ready in about 40 minutes pairs brown lentils, carrots, celery for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 220 calories and feeds 4, 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 brown lentils
- 1 cup carrots
- 1/2 cup celery
- 1/2 cup onion
- 2 cloves garlic
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- 1/2 tsp dried thyme
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1/4 tsp salt
Instructions
- Step 1: Finely chop 1 cup carrots, 1/2 cup celery, and 1/2 cup onion; mince 2 garlic cloves. Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a pot over medium heat and sauté vegetables for 5 minutes until softened but not browned.
- Step 2: Add 1 cup brown lentils, 4 cups vegetable broth, 1/2 tsp dried thyme, 1 bay leaf, and 1/4 tsp salt; bring to a gentle boil.
- Step 3: Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 25 minutes until lentils are tender and broth has thickened slightly, stirring once halfway through cooking.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Basic Lentil Soup with Simple Vegetable Stock take to make?
Total time is about 40 minutes (15 min prep + 25 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 Basic Lentil Soup with Simple Vegetable Stock?
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 brown lentils from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Basic Lentil Soup with Simple Vegetable Stock?
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 Basic Lentil Soup with Simple Vegetable Stock for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). 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 Basic Lentil Soup with Simple Vegetable Stock 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
- ★★★★★
The flavors in this basic are incredible.
- ★★★★★
Added some red pepper flakes for heat — highly recommend.
- ★★★★★
Swapped butter for olive oil to keep it lighter. Still delicious.
