Easy Lentil Soup

Lentils are such a wonderful dish! This recipe for easy lentil soup can be served as a side dish with grilled fish or chicken, or enjoyed as a main course along with warm bread and a side salad.

The great news is that this recipe for easy lentil soup is very flexible. I like to include ham or bacon for extra flavor, but if you’re looking for a vegan dish, feel free to stick with all veggies! If you have a favorite broth or stock, you are welcome to use that in place of water.

Lentils are delicious for lunch or dinner served with warm, fresh bread, atop a bowl of simple white rice, or alongside a crispy fried egg. They’re also delicious with other Middle Eastern delights like hummusBaba ganoush, and stuffed grape leaves.

I love a dollop of Greek yogurt or Labne atop my lentils; as the yogurt melts into the warm soup, the dish develops a wonderful creamy flavor. So good!

Easy Lentil Soup

Ingredients

1 Tablespoon (15 mL) extra virgin olive oil

1/2 white onion (100g), chopped

2 carrots, peeled and sliced or diced

2 stalks celery, sliced or diced

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 cup (210 g) green lentils

4 cups (950 mL) water or broth

3-4 slices uncured ham, whole or diced (omit for vegan version)

2 dried bay leaves

Salt and pepper

1 Tablespoon (15 mL) white balsamic vinegar

For serving: chopped flat-leaf parsley, Greek yogurt, Labne

Instructions

  1. In a medium-sized pot, heat olive oil over medium to medium-high heat. Add onion, carrots, celery and garlic; stir. Season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, about 3 minutes.
  2. Add the lentils, water or broth, ham and bay leaves. Season again with salt and pepper. Stir to combine. Cover and bring to a boil. Then reduce heat to medium-low, set the lid ajar and simmer for 25 to 30 minutes, or until lentils are soft. Add additional water or broth while cooking if you prefer a soupy consistency.
  3. Stir in 1 Tablespoon white balsamic vinegar. Taste, and adjust seasoning. Remove and discard bay leaves. Serve the lentils with chopped parsley and a spoonful of Labne or Greek yogurt, if desired.

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Hi! I’m Marie. Mama, wife, homebody. I’m a self-taught chef and cookbook author. 

I love sharing fast, fresh, family-friendly recipes that will, hopefully, make your life a little easier.

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Marie Saba

From My Kitchen To Yours