Herbed Lentil Soup with Houseplant Greens
A nourishing soup featuring earthy lentils and tender houseplant greens, finished with a touch of garden-fresh herbs. This french-inspired soups (vegetarian) ready in about 60 minutes pairs brown lentils, medium carrots, stalks celery for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 240 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 brown lentils
- 2 medium carrots
- 2 stalks celery
- 1 yellow onion
- 3 cloves garlic
- 4 cups chicken or vegetable broth
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 2 cups houseplant greens (e.g., Swiss chard stems)
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
Instructions
- Step 1: Rinse 1 cup brown lentils under cold water. Peel and dice 2 medium carrots and 2 stalks celery into 1/4-inch pieces. Finely chop 1 yellow onion and 3 garlic cloves.
- Step 2: Heat a large pot over medium heat. Add 1 tbsp olive oil, then sauté onions until translucent (5 minutes). Add carrots, celery, and garlic, cooking for 5 more minutes until fragrant.
- Step 3: Stir in 1 cup rinsed lentils, 4 cups chicken or vegetable broth, 1 tsp dried thyme, and 1/2 tsp salt. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered for 25-30 minutes until lentils are tender.
- Step 4: Stir in 2 cups chopped houseplant greens (like Swiss chard stems) and cook for 3-4 minutes until wilted. Remove from heat and stir in 1 tbsp lemon juice. Season with additional salt if needed.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Herbed Lentil Soup with Houseplant Greens take to make?
Total time is about 60 minutes (25 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 Herbed Lentil Soup with Houseplant Greens?
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 Herbed Lentil Soup with Houseplant Greens?
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 Herbed Lentil Soup with Houseplant Greens 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 Herbed Lentil Soup with Houseplant Greens 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
- ★★★★☆
Solid recipe. Not groundbreaking but definitely making it again.
- ★★★★☆
Good flavors but the sauce was a bit thin. I'd reduce it longer.
- ★★★☆☆
Average. The concept is good but execution needs work on seasoning.
