Discover the rich, satisfying harmony of traditional lentil and potato soup, where tender lentils, diced potatoes, and aromatic vegetables unite with savory herbs and spices to create a nourishing bowl. This vegan, gluten free delight offers a warm, comforting meal that captivates with every spoonful while nurturing both body and soul.
I made this Hearty Lentil and Potato Soup recently and it turned out to be a really filling meal with plenty of flavor and nutrition. I started by heating 2 tbsp olive oil before sautéeing 1 large chopped onion and 2 garlic cloves minced until they got soft.
Then I added 3 peeled and diced carrots, 2 medium potatoes cubed, and 1 cup of dried lentils that I rinsed really well. I poured in 6 cups of vegetable broth along with a bay leaf and 1 tsp dried thyme.
I let the whole thing simmer so all the flavors blend perfectly while keeping the dish vegan and gluten free. This soup is really heartwarming and its a great example of a meat free meal that offers good amounts of protein and fiber.
It makes an ideal dinner with lentils that fills you up without any added fluff.
Why I Like this Recipe
I like this recipe because it always makes me feel warm and cozy when I’m eating it and its hearty enough to fill me up on a cold day.
I like that its pretty simple to make; even when Im in a rush i can get it done with no fuss.
I dig that its loaded with veggies and healthy ingredients, so i feel like im treating myself well while still enjoying a tasty meal.
I also really appreciate that its vegan and gluten free which means i can share it with friends who have different dietary needs without worrying about stuff.
Ingredients
- Olive oil: Adds healthy fats and rich flavour, helps carry other ingredients flavours.
- Onion: Provides essential sweetness and fiber, cooking down to soft and aromatic bits.
- Garlic: Packs lots of flavor and offers benefits even if its pungent sometimes.
- Carrots: Bring natural sweetness and beta-carotene, suiting well for a hearty taste.
- Potatoes: Add carbohydrates, thicken soup and deliver a comforting creamy texture.
- Lentils: The star of protein and fiber, making the soup nicely filling coz it sticks.
- Vegetable broth: Acts as a flavorful liquid base, blending every taste into a warming dish.
Ingredient Quantities
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 3 carrots, peeled and diced
- 2 medium potatoes, peeled and cubed
- 1 cup dried lentils (brown or green), rinsed
- 6 cups vegetable broth
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- Salt and pepper to taste
How to Make this
1. Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium heat and add the chopped onion. Let it cook for about 5 minutes until it gets soft.
2. Throw in the minced garlic and diced carrots and stir them in for another 2 minutes.
3. Now add the cubed potatoes and the rinsed lentils into the pot and mix everything together.
4. Pour in the 6 cups of vegetable broth, then add the bay leaf and 1 tsp dried thyme.
5. Season the soup with salt and pepper to your taste.
6. Bring the mixture to a simmer and once it starts bubbling gently, reduce the heat to low.
7. Cover the pot and let it simmer for about 30 to 40 minutes until the lentils and potatoes turn tender.
8. Give the soup a stir, taste it and adjust the salt or pepper if needed.
9. Finally, remove the bay leaf and serve your hearty lentil and potato soup hot. Enjoy!
Equipment Needed
1. Large pot – You need this to cook and simmer your soup evenly
2. Cutting board – Essential for safely chopping the onion, garlic, carrots, and potatoes
3. Sharp knife – Needed to dice vegetables and peel potatoes properly
4. Measuring spoons – For accurately measuring olive oil and dried thyme
5. Measuring cup – To measure the vegetable broth and rinsed lentils
6. Wooden spoon – Useful for stirring the ingredients during cooking
7. Colander – Required to rinse the lentils before adding them to the pot
8. Stove – To heat the pot and maintain a gentle simmer during cooking
FAQ
Hearty Lentil And Potato Soup Recipe Substitutions and Variations
- Instead of 2 tbsp olive oil, you can use avocado oil or even melted butter if you’re lookin for a richer taste
- If you don’t have a large onion, try using a red onion or a couple of shallots which adds a sweet twist
- Not into garlic cloves? Use about 1/2 tsp of garlic powder per clove as a quick fix
- For the carrots, parsnips work pretty well and bring a similar texture
- If you wanna try something different with the potatoes, cubed sweet potatoes give a nice flavor change
Pro Tips
• Sauté the onions until they’re lightly browned. It might seem like extra time but that caramelization really brings out a sweeter flavor that tones up the whole soup.
• If you have a few extra minutes before cooking, try soaking the lentils for about 15-20 minutes. It helps them cook more evenly and can make the soup a bit creamier.
• For an extra flavor kick, add a squirt of lemon juice or a pinch of smoked paprika right before you serve. This little acidity or spice can really brighten up the dish.
• Let the soup rest for a few minutes after cooking. This extra time lets the flavors meld together better and can make your bowl of soup taste even richer.
Hearty Lentil And Potato Soup Recipe
My favorite Hearty Lentil And Potato Soup Recipe
Equipment Needed:
1. Large pot – You need this to cook and simmer your soup evenly
2. Cutting board – Essential for safely chopping the onion, garlic, carrots, and potatoes
3. Sharp knife – Needed to dice vegetables and peel potatoes properly
4. Measuring spoons – For accurately measuring olive oil and dried thyme
5. Measuring cup – To measure the vegetable broth and rinsed lentils
6. Wooden spoon – Useful for stirring the ingredients during cooking
7. Colander – Required to rinse the lentils before adding them to the pot
8. Stove – To heat the pot and maintain a gentle simmer during cooking
Ingredients:
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 3 carrots, peeled and diced
- 2 medium potatoes, peeled and cubed
- 1 cup dried lentils (brown or green), rinsed
- 6 cups vegetable broth
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
1. Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium heat and add the chopped onion. Let it cook for about 5 minutes until it gets soft.
2. Throw in the minced garlic and diced carrots and stir them in for another 2 minutes.
3. Now add the cubed potatoes and the rinsed lentils into the pot and mix everything together.
4. Pour in the 6 cups of vegetable broth, then add the bay leaf and 1 tsp dried thyme.
5. Season the soup with salt and pepper to your taste.
6. Bring the mixture to a simmer and once it starts bubbling gently, reduce the heat to low.
7. Cover the pot and let it simmer for about 30 to 40 minutes until the lentils and potatoes turn tender.
8. Give the soup a stir, taste it and adjust the salt or pepper if needed.
9. Finally, remove the bay leaf and serve your hearty lentil and potato soup hot. Enjoy!
