Bing's Spiced Lentil Soup
A hearty, aromatic soup with red lentils, warming spices, and a touch of coconut milk. This indian-inspired soups ready in about 35 minutes pairs red lentils, vegetable broth, medium (diced) onion 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
- 1 cup red lentils
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- 1 medium (diced) onion
- 1/2 cup (diced) carrot
- 1/2 cup (diced) celery
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp coriander
- 1/4 cup coconut milk
- 2 tbsp (chopped) fresh cilantro
- 1 tbsp lime juice
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat a large pot over medium heat. Add 1/2 cup diced onion, 1/2 cup diced carrot, and 1/2 cup diced celery. Cook for 5 minutes until softened, stirring occasionally.
- Step 2: Add 1 cup rinsed red lentils, 1 tsp cumin, 1 tsp coriander, and 4 cups vegetable broth to the pot. Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer for 20 minutes until lentils are tender and broth thickens.
- Step 3: Stir in 1/4 cup coconut milk and 1 tbsp lime juice. Simmer for 2 more minutes, then remove from heat. Garnish with 2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Bing's Spiced Lentil Soup take to make?
Total time is about 35 minutes (10 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 Bing's Spiced Lentil Soup?
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 red lentils from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Bing's Spiced Lentil Soup?
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 Bing's Spiced Lentil Soup 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.
What goes well with Bing's Spiced Lentil Soup?
Indian soups like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★☆
My family liked it. I personally would prefer more depth of flavor.
- ★★★★☆
Very good for a 25-minute recipe. Would bump up the spice level though.
- ★★★☆☆
Average. The concept is good but execution needs work on seasoning.
