Simple Weeknight Lentil Soup with Lemon
Hearty, vegetable-packed soup simmered with lentils and brightened with fresh lemon, perfect for busy days. This comfort food-inspired soups (vegetarian) ready in about 50 minutes pairs rinsed brown lentils, chicken broth, diced carrots for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 280 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
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 2, diced carrots
- 2 stalks, diced celery
- 1, diced onion
- 2 cloves, minced garlic
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1, juiced lemon
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add 2 diced carrots, 2 diced celery stalks, and 1 diced onion. Cook for 5 minutes until softened, stirring occasionally.
- Step 2: Stir in 2 minced garlic cloves and 1 tsp dried thyme. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Add 1 cup rinsed brown lentils and 4 cups chicken broth. Bring to a gentle simmer.
- Step 3: Cover and cook for 25-30 minutes until lentils are tender. Stir in 1/2 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp black pepper, and 1 lemon's juice. Simmer uncovered for 5 more minutes. Serve hot with extra lemon wedges.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Simple Weeknight Lentil Soup with Lemon take to make?
Total time is about 50 minutes (15 min prep + 35 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 Simple Weeknight Lentil Soup with Lemon?
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 Simple Weeknight Lentil Soup with Lemon?
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 Simple Weeknight Lentil Soup with Lemon 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 Simple Weeknight Lentil Soup with Lemon 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.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Loved it! Made it for my kids after soccer practice—zero cleanup.
- ★★★★★
This soup was a hit with my picky eaters! The lemon brightened it up perfectly.
- ★★★★☆
Great recipe, but the lentils took longer to soften than the 20 minutes stated.
