Easy Flavorful Lentil Soup
Simple lentil soup recipe with big flavor!
Yield: 6 bowls
Ingredients
- 1 cup dried lentils (green or brown), sorted and rinsed
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 4 large carrots, peeled and sliced
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 3 teaspoons cumin
- 2 teaspoons curry powder
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic
- 1 (14.5 oz) can fire roasted diced tomatoes, undrained
- 1 (15 oz) can whole kernel corn, drained
- 2 chicken bouillon cubes
- 7 cups water, divided
- Himalayan pink salt
- Black pepper
- Pinch of crushed red pepper flakes
- 10 oz. fresh spinach, washed & dried
- 2 Tablespoons lemon juice
Instructions
- Add lentils to a shallow dish and spread them out in a single layer. Sort through all the lentils and disgard any stones, debris, or misshapen lentils. Rinse the lentils well, then drain and set aside.
- Add olive oil to a large pot. Add carrots and onions & cook over medium heat for about 7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until carrots soften and onions turn translucent.
- Measure out seasonings (cumin, curry powder, Italian seasoning, and minced garlic) into a small bowl. Once carrots and onions have softened, add seasonings to the pot and stir constantly for 1 minute.
- Pour in the fire roasted tomatoes (undrained) and cook for 3 minutes to bring out their flavor, stirring occasionally.
- Add corn (drained), lentils, chicken bouillon, and 6 cups of water. Season generously with Himalayan pink salt and black pepper, then add a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes. Stir it all up, then raise heat to high and bring ingredients to a rolling boil.
- Cover the pot and drop the heat back down to medium. Cook for 50-60 minutes, stirring occasionally, until lentils are cooked through and softened. Stir more frequently after 40 minutes have passed, to help prevent sticking.
- Add fresh spinach and stir continuously for about 1 minute, or just until the spinach has wilted.
- Remove pot from heat, add an additional 1 cup of water for a thinner consistency (if desired), then stir in the lemon juice. Taste and adjust salt & pepper according to your preference. Optionally, for enhanced flavor, let soup sit in pot for 30 minutes before serving. Serve soup warm and enjoy!