French Herb-Infused Lentil Soup
A comforting French-style lentil soup enriched with fresh herbs, vegetables, and a touch of garlic, perfect for a nourishing meal. This french-inspired soups (vegetarian) ready in about 55 minutes pairs rinsed green lentils, large, diced carrot, diced celery stalks 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, rinsed green lentils
- 1 large, diced carrot
- 2, diced celery stalks
- 1 medium, diced yellow onion
- 3, minced garlic cloves
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 6 cups vegetable broth
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 tsp chopped fresh thyme
- 2 tbsp chopped, plus extra for garnish fresh parsley
- 1 1/2 tsp salt
- 3/4 tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp red wine vinegar
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add 1 diced medium yellow onion, 1 large diced carrot, and 2 diced celery stalks. Sauté for 6-8 minutes until softened and fragrant.
- Step 2: Stir in 3 minced garlic cloves and cook for 1 minute until aromatic. Add 1 cup rinsed green lentils, 6 cups vegetable broth, 1 bay leaf, 1 tsp chopped fresh thyme, 1 1/2 tsp salt, and 3/4 tsp black pepper.
- Step 3: Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered for 30-35 minutes until lentils are tender but not mushy.
- Step 4: Remove the bay leaf and stir in 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley and 1 tbsp red wine vinegar. Adjust seasoning if needed. Serve hot, garnished with additional parsley.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does French Herb-Infused Lentil 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 French Herb-Infused 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 rinsed green lentils from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in French Herb-Infused 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 French Herb-Infused 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.
Is French Herb-Infused Lentil 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.
