Beetroot and Lentil Soup with Crispy Shallots
A hearty, earthy soup featuring roasted beets and lentils, topped with a crispy shallot garnish for added texture and flavor. This scandinavian-inspired soups (vegetarian) ready in about 70 minutes pairs rinsed green lentils, medium, diced onion, medium, diced carrot for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 280 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
- 2 medium, peeled and diced into 1/2-inch cubes beets
- 1/2 cup, rinsed green lentils
- 1 medium, diced onion
- 1 medium, diced carrot
- 2 stalks, diced celery
- 2 cloves, minced garlic
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1/2 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 medium, thinly sliced shallots
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 400°F. Toss 2 medium peeled and diced beets with 1 tbsp olive oil, 1/4 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper on a baking sheet. Roast for 25 minutes until tender and caramelized.
- Step 2: In a large pot, heat 1 tbsp olive oil over medium heat. Add 1 medium diced onion, 1 medium diced carrot, and 2 diced celery stalks, and cook for 5 minutes until softened. Add 2 minced garlic cloves and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Step 3: Stir in 1/2 cup rinsed green lentils, 4 cups chicken broth, 1/2 tsp dried thyme, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes until lentils are tender.
- Step 4: Add the roasted beets to the pot and simmer for 5 more minutes. Meanwhile, in a small skillet, heat 1 tbsp oil over medium heat and fry the 2 thinly sliced shallots until golden and crispy, about 3-4 minutes. Drain on paper towels. Serve the soup hot with the crispy shallots sprinkled on top.
Equipment for this recipe
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Frequently asked questions
How long does Beetroot and Lentil Soup with Crispy Shallots take to make?
Total time is about 70 minutes (25 min prep + 45 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 Beetroot and Lentil Soup with Crispy Shallots?
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 rinsed green lentils from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Beetroot and Lentil Soup with Crispy Shallots?
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 Beetroot and Lentil Soup with Crispy Shallots 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 Beetroot and Lentil Soup with Crispy Shallots 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 beets gave such a beautiful color and the lentils were perfectly cooked. My whole family loved it!
- ★★★★★
This soup is my new winter comfort food. The crispy shallots on top are the perfect crunch.
- ★★★★★
Amazingly flavorful for a healthy soup. Will make again for dinner guests.