Williams-Style Lentil and Kale Soup
A deeply flavorful, protein-packed soup with earthy lentils and wilted kale. This vegetarian-inspired soups (vegetarian) ready in about 50 minutes pairs dried green lentils, chopped kale, small diced onion 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 dried green lentils
- 2 cups chopped kale
- 1 small diced onion
- 1 medium diced carrot
- 2 stalks diced celery
- 2 cloves minced garlic
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- 1/2 tsp dried thyme
Instructions
- Step 1: Sauté 1 diced onion, 1 diced carrot, 2 diced celery stalks, and 2 minced garlic cloves in a large pot over medium heat for 5-6 minutes until softened and fragrant.
- Step 2: Add 1 cup dried green lentils, 4 cups vegetable broth, and 1/2 tsp dried thyme. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to low and cover.
- Step 3: Cook for 25-30 minutes until lentils are tender. Stir in 2 cups chopped kale and cook uncovered for 5 minutes until kale is wilted and bright green.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Williams-Style Lentil and Kale Soup 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 Williams-Style Lentil and Kale 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 dried green lentils from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Williams-Style Lentil and Kale 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 Williams-Style Lentil and Kale Soup 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 Williams-Style Lentil and Kale 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
- ★★★★★
Used half the salt and it was still plenty flavorful.
- ★★★★★
Used frozen vegetables instead of fresh and honestly couldn't tell the difference.
- ★★★★☆
Tasty recipe. I'd add a bit more seasoning next time.
