Five-Spice Lentil Soup
A warming soup featuring lentils and five signature spices, drawing inspiration from the 500+ languages documented in Census data. This asian-inspired soups ready in about 37 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 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
- 120g brown lentils
- 150g carrots
- 100g celery
- 50g onion
- 400ml chicken broth
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 tsp five-spice powder
- 1/4 tsp thyme
Instructions
- Step 1: Dice 150g carrots and 100g celery into 1/4-inch pieces, then heat a pot over medium heat. Add 50g diced onion and 2 minced garlic cloves, sautéing for 3 minutes until soft and fragrant.
- Step 2: Stir in 120g brown lentils, 400ml chicken broth, 1 tsp five-spice powder, and 1/4 tsp thyme, then bring to a boil and reduce heat to low.
- Step 3: Simmer uncovered for 25 minutes until lentils are tender and broth thickens, stirring occasionally until the mixture coats the spoon and flavors are well blended.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Five-Spice Lentil Soup take to make?
Total time is about 37 minutes (12 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 Five-Spice 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 brown lentils from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Five-Spice 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 Five-Spice 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 Five-Spice Lentil Soup?
Asian 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
- ★★★★★
The perfect comfort food on a rainy day. The lentils held their shape beautifully, and the five-spice depth was incredible without being overpowering.
- ★★★★★
Loved how easy it was to customize. Added extra chili for heat and it paired perfectly with my tofu stir-fry. The five-spice aroma alone made my whole kitchen feel cozy.
- ★★★★★
Authentic restaurant-quality flavor at home. The ginger and star anise made it shine—served with rice, it was a complete meal. Will make this weekly.
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