Slow-Simmered Greek Lentil and Tomato Soup

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-25 · Updated 2026-04-25

Hearty brown lentils gently cooked in a savory tomato broth with herbs and a hint of lemon for brightness. This Greek recipe (vegetarian), ready in about 55 minutes, pairs brown lentils, olive oil, onion 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
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 medium, finely chopped onion
• 1 medium, diced carrot
• 1, diced celery stalk
• 3 minced garlic cloves
• 14 oz can crushed tomatoes
• 4 cups vegetable broth
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 bay leaf
• 2 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 2 tbsp chopped for garnish fresh parsley

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Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add 1 finely chopped onion, 1 diced carrot, and 1 diced celery stalk, cooking for 6-7 minutes until vegetables soften and become fragrant.
2. Step 2: Stir in 3 minced garlic cloves, 1 tsp dried oregano, and cook for 1 minute until aromatic but not browned.
3. Step 3: Add 1 cup rinsed brown lentils, 14 oz crushed tomatoes, 4 cups vegetable broth, 1 bay leaf, 1 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper to the pot. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered for 35-40 minutes until lentils are tender.
4. Step 4: Remove the bay leaf and stir in 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice to brighten the flavors. Adjust seasoning with more salt and pepper if needed.
5. Step 5: Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish each serving with 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley for a fresh herbal note.