Menards' Spiced Lentil & Sweet Potato Soup
A nourishing vegan soup with earthy lentils, roasted sweet potatoes, and warming spices, perfect for chilly days. This 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.
