Simmered French Lentil Soup with Garlic and Thyme
A deeply aromatic soup where French lentils soften into velvety tenderness, infused with garlic and fresh thyme for a comforting bowl that's ready in under an hour. This french-inspired soups ready in about 55 minutes pairs French green lentils, Vegetable broth, diced Yellow onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 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 French green lentils
- 4 cups Vegetable broth
- 1, diced Yellow onion
- 2 cloves, minced Garlic
- 1 tbsp, chopped Fresh thyme
- 2 tbsp Extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 tsp Kosher salt
- 1/4 tsp Black pepper
- 2 tbsp, chopped Fresh parsley
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil in a large pot over medium heat until shimmering. Add 1 diced yellow onion and cook for 5 minutes until translucent and starting to soften, stirring occasionally.
- Step 2: Add 2 minced garlic cloves and cook for 1 minute until fragrant, stirring constantly to prevent burning.
- Step 3: Add 1 cup French green lentils, 4 cups vegetable broth, 1 tbsp chopped fresh thyme, 1 tsp kosher salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Bring to a gentle simmer, cover, and cook for 30-35 minutes until lentils are tender but hold their shape.
- Step 4: Remove from heat, stir in 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley, and let sit for 5 minutes to meld flavors before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Simmered French Lentil Soup with Garlic 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 Simmered French Lentil Soup with Garlic 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 french green lentils from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Simmered French Lentil Soup with Garlic 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 Simmered French Lentil Soup with Garlic 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.
What goes well with Simmered French Lentil Soup with Garlic and Thyme?
French soups like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
My family loved this soup for dinner, it was so comforting.
- ★★★★☆
The soup was delicious, but I found it slightly bland. Next time I'll add a pinch of salt.
- ★★★★☆
Great recipe! However, the lentils took longer to cook than expected. Still, the flavor was spot on.
