Slow-Simmered Greek Lentil Soup with Tomato and Cumin
Hearty lentils simmered with tomatoes, cumin, and fresh herbs create a comforting and nourishing Greek-inspired vegetarian soup. This greek-inspired vegetarian (vegetarian) ready in about 60 minutes pairs brown lentils, olive oil, medium yellow onion, diced 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 brown lentils
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 1 large carrot, diced
- 1 celery stalk, diced
- 3 cloves garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 14 oz can crushed tomatoes
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- for serving lemon wedges
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add 1 diced yellow onion, 1 diced large carrot, and 1 diced celery stalk. Sauté for 6-7 minutes until softened and fragrant.
- Step 2: Stir in 3 minced garlic cloves and 1 tsp ground cumin, cooking for 1 minute until aromatic.
- Step 3: Add 1 cup brown lentils, 14 oz crushed tomatoes, and 4 cups vegetable broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered for 35-40 minutes until lentils are tender.
- Step 4: Season soup with 1 1/2 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Stir in 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley just before serving.
- Step 5: Serve hot with fresh lemon wedges to squeeze over the soup for brightness.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Slow-Simmered Greek Lentil Soup with Tomato and Cumin take to make?
Total time is about 60 minutes (15 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 Slow-Simmered Greek Lentil Soup with Tomato and Cumin?
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 brown lentils from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Slow-Simmered Greek Lentil Soup with Tomato and Cumin?
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 Slow-Simmered Greek Lentil Soup with Tomato and Cumin 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 Slow-Simmered Greek Lentil Soup with Tomato and Cumin 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.
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