Rustic French Lentil Soup with Carrots and Thyme
A comforting French-style lentil soup simmered with carrots, onions, and fresh thyme for a hearty regional flavor. This french-inspired soups (vegetarian) ready in about 55 minutes pairs rinsed dry green lentils, medium, diced 1/2-inch carrots, medium, diced yellow 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 dry green lentils
- 2 medium, diced 1/2-inch carrots
- 1 medium, diced yellow onion
- 2, diced celery stalks
- 3, minced garlic cloves
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- 1 tbsp, chopped fresh thyme
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add 1 medium diced yellow onion, 2 diced carrots, and 2 diced celery stalks. Sauté for 6-7 minutes until vegetables soften and onions become translucent.
- Step 2: Add 3 minced garlic cloves and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Stir in 1 cup rinsed dry green lentils, 1 tbsp chopped fresh thyme, and 1 bay leaf.
- Step 3: Pour in 4 cups vegetable broth, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered for 30-35 minutes until lentils are tender.
- Step 4: Remove bay leaf, stir in 1 tbsp lemon juice, and adjust seasoning to taste. Serve hot with crusty bread.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Rustic French Lentil Soup with Carrots and Thyme take to make?
Total time is about 55 minutes (15 min prep + 40 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 Rustic French Lentil Soup with Carrots and Thyme?
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 dry green lentils from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Rustic French Lentil Soup with Carrots and Thyme?
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 Rustic French Lentil Soup with Carrots and Thyme 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 Rustic French Lentil Soup with Carrots and Thyme 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.
