Comforting French Lentil and Mushroom Soup
A hearty, earthy soup combining tender lentils and savory mushrooms, simmered with aromatic herbs for a soothing meal. This French-inspired soup recipe (vegetarian), ready in about 55 minutes, pairs green lentils, rinsed, olive oil, yellow onion, diced for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 220 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, rinsed
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 1 large carrot, diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 8 oz cremini mushrooms, sliced
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 bay leaf
- 6 cups vegetable broth
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
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Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium heat until shimmering. Add 1 diced medium yellow onion, 1 diced large carrot, and 2 diced celery stalks. Sauté for 5-6 minutes until vegetables are softened and the onion is translucent.
- Step 2: Add 3 minced garlic cloves and 8 oz sliced cremini mushrooms. Cook for 4 minutes until mushrooms release their moisture and become tender.
- Step 3: Stir in 1 cup rinsed green lentils, 1 tsp dried thyme, and 1 bay leaf. Pour in 6 cups vegetable broth, then bring the soup to a boil.
- Step 4: Reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered for 30-35 minutes until lentils are tender and soup has thickened slightly. Season with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
- Step 5: Remove bay leaf, stir in 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley, and serve warm with crusty bread.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Comforting French Lentil and Mushroom Soup take to make?
Total time is about 55 minutes (15 min prep + 40 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 Comforting French Lentil and Mushroom 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 green lentils, rinsed from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Comforting French Lentil and Mushroom 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 Comforting French Lentil and Mushroom Soup 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 Comforting French Lentil and Mushroom Soup 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.
