Menards' Spiced Lentil & Sweet Potato Soup
A nourishing vegan soup with earthy lentils, roasted sweet potatoes, and warming spices, perfect for chilly days. This vegetarian-inspired soups (vegan) ready in about 65 minutes pairs rinsed dried green lentils, medium, finely diced onion, medium, diced carrots for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 285 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 dried green lentils
- 2 medium, peeled and diced into 1/2-inch cubes sweet potatoes
- 1 medium, finely diced onion
- 2 medium, diced carrots
- 2 stalks, diced celery
- 3, minced garlic cloves
- 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 bay leaf
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp, chopped fresh cilantro
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 400°F. Toss diced sweet potatoes with 1 tbsp olive oil, salt, and pepper, then spread on a baking sheet and roast for 20-25 minutes until edges are caramelized and tender.
- Step 2: Heat remaining 1 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add diced onion, carrots, and celery, and cook for 6-7 minutes until softened and onions are translucent, stirring occasionally.
- Step 3: Add minced garlic, cumin, and smoked paprika to the pot, stirring constantly for 1 minute until fragrant and the spices bloom.
- Step 4: Stir in rinsed lentils, diced tomatoes (with juices), vegetable broth, and bay leaf. Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 25 minutes until lentils are tender.
- Step 5: Discard bay leaf, then add roasted sweet potatoes to the pot and simmer uncovered for 5 more minutes to blend flavors.
- Step 6: Remove from heat, stir in fresh cilantro, and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Menards' Spiced Lentil & Sweet Potato Soup take to make?
Total time is about 65 minutes (20 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 Menards' Spiced Lentil & Sweet Potato Soup?
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 dried green lentils from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Menards' Spiced Lentil & Sweet Potato Soup?
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 Menards' Spiced Lentil & Sweet Potato Soup 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 Menards' Spiced Lentil & Sweet Potato Soup 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
- ★★★★☆
Good flavors but the sauce was a bit thin. I'd reduce it longer.
- ★★★☆☆
Not bad. Would need significant modifications to make it a regular.
- ★★★☆☆
Decent recipe but nothing special. Might try a different version.
