Lentil-Carrot Soup with Smoked Paprika
Hearty, velvety soup featuring earthy lentils and sweet carrots, enhanced with a smoky paprika finish for a nourishing bowl. This soups ready in about 40 minutes pairs rinsed brown lentils, medium, diced carrots, small, 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 brown lentils
- 2 medium, diced carrots
- 1 small, diced onion
- 2 cloves, minced garlic
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add 1 small diced onion and cook for 5 minutes until translucent. Stir in 2 minced garlic cloves and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Step 2: Add 2 medium diced carrots and 1 cup rinsed brown lentils. Stir for 2 minutes to coat in oil.
- Step 3: Pour in 4 cups vegetable broth and bring to a gentle boil. Reduce heat to low, add 1/2 tsp dried thyme, and simmer, uncovered, for 25 minutes until lentils are tender.
- Step 4: Use an immersion blender to puree the soup until smooth (or transfer to a blender in batches). Stir in 1/2 tsp smoked paprika and 1 tbsp lemon juice, cooking for 2 more minutes to blend flavors.
- Step 5: Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. Serve warm with a sprinkle of extra smoked paprika.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Lentil-Carrot Soup with Smoked Paprika 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 Lentil-Carrot Soup with Smoked Paprika?
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 brown lentils from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Lentil-Carrot Soup with Smoked Paprika?
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 Lentil-Carrot Soup with Smoked Paprika 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.
What should I serve with Lentil-Carrot Soup with Smoked Paprika?
A simple grain (rice, quinoa, or crusty bread), a quick green salad, and a steamed or roasted vegetable round out the plate. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" above for dish-specific pairings based on what you have on hand.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
This soup is a weeknight lifesaver! The smoked paprika gives it such a warm, smoky depth. My kids loved it too.
- ★★★★☆
Good recipe, but I found it a bit bland. Next time I'll add more spices. Still, very hearty and healthy.
- ★★★★☆
Made this for my family dinner. Took a bit longer to cook than expected, but the flavors were spot on. Will make again.
