French-Style Lentil and Vegetable Soup with Herbs de Provence
A hearty, rustic lentil soup simmered with fresh vegetables and fragrant Herbs de Provence for a cozy and 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 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, rinsed green lentils
- 1 large, diced carrot
- 2, diced celery stalks
- 1 medium, diced yellow onion
- 3 cloves, minced garlic cloves
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 6 cups vegetable broth
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 teaspoon Herbs de Provence
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons, chopped fresh parsley
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add 1 medium diced yellow onion, 1 large diced carrot, and 2 diced celery stalks. Sauté for 5-6 minutes until vegetables soften and onions become translucent.
- Step 2: Stir in 3 minced garlic cloves and 1 tablespoon tomato paste; cook for 1 minute until fragrant and paste darkens slightly.
- Step 3: Add 1 cup rinsed green lentils, 6 cups vegetable broth, 1 bay leaf, 1 teaspoon Herbs de Provence, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper. Bring to a boil.
- Step 4: Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 30-35 minutes until lentils are tender but not mushy.
- Step 5: Remove bay leaf, adjust seasoning if needed, and stir in 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley. Serve hot with crusty bread if desired.
Frequently asked questions
How long does French-Style Lentil and Vegetable Soup with Herbs de Provence 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-Style Lentil and Vegetable Soup with Herbs de Provence?
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-Style Lentil and Vegetable Soup with Herbs de Provence?
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-Style Lentil and Vegetable Soup with Herbs de Provence 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-Style Lentil and Vegetable Soup with Herbs de Provence 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.
