Herb-Infused Lentil Soup with Lemon
A nourishing soup featuring brown lentils simmered with fresh herbs and bright lemon zest. This french-inspired soups (vegetarian) ready in about 55 minutes pairs brown lentils, medium carrots, medium 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
- 175g brown lentils
- 2 medium carrots
- 1 medium onion
- 2 stalks celery
- 600ml chicken broth
- 1 tbsp lemon zest
- 2 tbsp fresh dill
Instructions
- Step 1: Rinse 175g brown lentils under cold water until water runs clear. Finely dice 1 medium onion, 2 medium carrots, and 2 celery stalks.
- Step 2: Heat a large pot over medium heat. Add diced onion, carrots, and celery. Cook for 7 minutes until vegetables soften, stirring occasionally.
- Step 3: Add 175g rinsed lentils and 600ml chicken broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered for 25 minutes until lentils are tender.
- Step 4: Stir in 1 tbsp lemon zest and 2 tbsp fresh dill. Simmer for 2 more minutes until flavors meld. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt if needed.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Herb-Infused Lentil Soup with Lemon take to make?
Total time is about 55 minutes (20 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 Herb-Infused Lentil 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 brown lentils from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Herb-Infused Lentil 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 Herb-Infused Lentil 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 Herb-Infused Lentil Soup with Lemon 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
- ★★★★☆
Almost perfect — just needed a squeeze of lemon at the end.
- ★★★☆☆
Okay for a quick meal. I've had better soups dishes though.
- ★★★☆☆
Average. The concept is good but execution needs work on seasoning.
