Hearty Winter Vegetable and Lentil Soup with Thyme
A warming soup filled with lentils, root vegetables, and fresh thyme, simmered to create a nourishing meal for chilly, rainy days. This mediterranean-inspired soups (vegetarian, gluten free) ready in about 60 minutes pairs brown lentils, medium carrots, diced, celery stalks, diced for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 280 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
- 1 cup brown lentils
- 2 medium carrots, diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 2 medium potatoes, peeled and diced
- 1 large yellow onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 6 cups vegetable broth
- 3 fresh thyme sprigs
- 1 bay leaf
- 1.25 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add 1 large diced yellow onion, 3 minced garlic cloves, 2 diced celery stalks, and 2 diced carrots. Sauté for 5 minutes until vegetables soften and become fragrant.
- Step 2: Add 1 cup brown lentils, 2 peeled and diced potatoes, 6 cups vegetable broth, 3 fresh thyme sprigs, and 1 bay leaf. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered for 40 minutes until lentils and potatoes are tender.
- Step 3: Remove thyme sprigs and bay leaf. Season with 1.25 tsp salt, 1 tsp black pepper, and stir in 1 tbsp lemon juice to brighten the flavors before serving.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Hearty Winter Vegetable and Lentil Soup with Thyme take to make?
Total time is about 60 minutes (15 min prep + 45 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 Winter Vegetable and Lentil Soup with Thyme?
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 Hearty Winter Vegetable and Lentil Soup with Thyme?
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 Winter Vegetable and Lentil Soup with Thyme 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 Hearty Winter Vegetable and Lentil Soup with Thyme vegetarian?
Yes — this recipe is tagged vegetarian, gluten free based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
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