Staple Lentil Soup with Lemon
A nourishing, one-pot soup made with pantry-friendly lentils and fresh lemon for a bright, comforting meal ready in 35 minutes. This Mediterranean-inspired soup recipe (vegetarian), ready in about 35 minutes, pairs brown lentils, chicken broth, carrot 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 brown lentils
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 medium carrot
- 2 stalks celery
- 1 lemon
The stock pot we’d simmer this in → Best Stock Pots for 2026: Top Picks + Buying Guide
Affiliate disclosure: AislePrompt may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through Amazon links, at no additional cost to you. See our policy →
Equipment for this recipe
Tools this recipe's steps call for, with a link to each on Amazon.
Instructions
- Step 1: Rinse 1 cup brown lentils under cold water until water runs clear. Place in a medium pot with 4 cups chicken broth and bring to a gentle boil over medium-high heat.
- Step 2: Peel and dice 1 medium carrot into 1/4-inch cubes. Finely chop 2 stalks celery. Add to the pot and simmer uncovered for 15 minutes until lentils are tender.
- Step 3: Squeeze juice from 1 lemon (about 2 tbsp) into the pot. Stir in 1/4 cup finely chopped fresh parsley (optional) and cook for 2 more minutes until flavors meld.
- Step 4: Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. Serve hot with a lemon wedge on the side for extra brightness.








