Thrifty Lentil and Vegetable Soup
A protein-packed, one-pot soup using dried lentils and seasonal vegetables for under $2 per serving. This american-inspired soups (vegetarian) ready in about 45 minutes pairs rinsed dried green lentils, medium, diced onion, medium, diced carrots for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 250 calories and feeds 6, 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 dried green lentils
- 1 medium, diced onion
- 2 medium, diced carrots
- 2 stalks, diced celery
- 3 cloves, minced garlic
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 2 cups, chopped kale
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat a large pot over medium heat. Add 1 cup rinsed dried green lentils, 1 diced onion, 2 diced carrots, and 2 diced celery stalks. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until vegetables soften slightly.
- Step 2: Add 3 minced garlic cloves and cook for 1 minute until aromatic, then stir in 1 tsp dried thyme and 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes (with juice).
- Step 3: Pour in 4 cups vegetable broth, bring to a gentle simmer, and cook uncovered for 25 minutes until lentils are tender and vegetables are soft.
- Step 4: Stir in 2 cups chopped kale and cook for 3 minutes until wilted and bright green.
- Step 5: Season with salt and black pepper to taste, then serve hot with a sprinkle of fresh parsley.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Thrifty Lentil and Vegetable Soup take to make?
Total time is about 45 minutes (15 min prep + 30 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 Thrifty Lentil and Vegetable Soup?
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 dried green lentils from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Thrifty Lentil and Vegetable Soup?
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 Thrifty Lentil and Vegetable Soup for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). 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 Thrifty Lentil and Vegetable Soup 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
- ★★★★★
Love how the American come through in every bite.
- ★★★★☆
Almost perfect — just needed a squeeze of lemon at the end.
- ★★★★☆
Really good but took about 10 minutes longer than stated.
