Hearty Red Lentil and Kale Soup with Lemon
A nourishing, fiber-rich soup simmered with red lentils, kale, and lemon for a vibrant, plant-powered meal that’s ready in 30 minutes. This mediterranean-inspired soups (vegan) ready in about 40 minutes pairs rinsed red lentils, vegetable broth, diced onion 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 red lentils
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- 1, diced onion
- 2, diced carrot
- 2 stalks, diced celery
- 3 cloves, minced garlic
- 1 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- 2 cups, chopped kale
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat a large pot over medium heat; add 1 diced onion, 2 diced carrots, and 2 diced celery stalks, cooking for 5 minutes until softened and translucent.
- Step 2: Stir in 3 minced garlic cloves, 1 tbsp tomato paste, 1 tsp cumin, and 1/2 tsp smoked paprika, cooking for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Step 3: Add 1 cup rinsed red lentils and 4 cups vegetable broth, bringing to a gentle simmer; cook uncovered for 15 minutes until lentils are tender and broth thickens slightly.
- Step 4: Stir in 2 cups chopped kale and 1 tbsp lemon juice, cooking for 3 minutes until kale is wilted and bright green; season with salt to taste and serve hot.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Hearty Red Lentil and Kale Soup with Lemon take to make?
Total time is about 40 minutes (10 min prep + 30 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 Hearty Red Lentil and Kale Soup with Lemon?
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 red lentils from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Hearty Red Lentil and Kale Soup with Lemon?
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 Hearty Red Lentil and Kale Soup with Lemon 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 Hearty Red Lentil and Kale Soup with Lemon vegan?
Yes — this recipe is tagged vegan based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
What others are saying
- ★★★☆☆
It was fine. Came out a bit bland for my taste.
- ★★☆☆☆
The proportions seem off. Way too much of some ingredients.
