Harvest Vegetable & Lentil Soup with Lemon Zest
A nourishing, golden-hued soup packed with seasonal vegetables and earthy lentils, brightened by fresh lemon for maximum crowd appeal. This mediterranean-inspired soups (vegetarian) ready in about 50 minutes pairs vegetable broth, rinsed brown lentils, medium, diced carrots for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 210 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
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- 1 cup, rinsed brown lentils
- 2 medium, diced carrots
- 2 stalks, diced celery
- 1 medium, diced onion
- 2 cloves, minced garlic
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1, zest and juice lemon
- 2 tbsp olive oil
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add 1 diced medium onion, 2 diced medium carrots, and 2 diced celery stalks. Cook for 8 minutes until vegetables are softened, stirring occasionally.
- Step 2: Add 2 minced garlic cloves and cook for 1 minute until fragrant, then stir in 1 tsp dried thyme.
- Step 3: Add 4 cups vegetable broth and 1 cup rinsed brown lentils. Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer for 25 minutes until lentils are tender.
- Step 4: Stir in 1 lemon's zest and 1 tablespoon lemon juice. Remove from heat and let sit for 5 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Harvest Vegetable & Lentil Soup with Lemon Zest take to make?
Total time is about 50 minutes (15 min prep + 35 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 Harvest Vegetable & Lentil Soup with Lemon Zest?
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 vegetable broth from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Harvest Vegetable & Lentil Soup with Lemon Zest?
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 Harvest Vegetable & Lentil Soup with Lemon Zest 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 Harvest Vegetable & Lentil Soup with Lemon Zest 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.
What others are saying
- ★★★★☆
Tasty recipe. I'd add a bit more seasoning next time.
- ★★★★☆
Enjoyable meal. Instructions could be a touch more detailed on the timing.
- ★★★☆☆
Not bad. Would need significant modifications to make it a regular.
