Lentil Bro

Warm, hearty, and packed with flavor, "Lentil Bro" is the ultimate comfort food for cold nights or nourishing midweek meals. This vegan-friendly recipe combines tender green or brown lentils, a medley of aromatic vegetables, and a vibrant blend of spices, including cumin, paprika, and thyme, to create a soul-satisfying bowl of goodness. Fresh spinach and a splash of zesty lemon juice add a bright, fresh finish to this protein-packed dish. With just 15 minutes of prep and 40 minutes of cooking time, you'll have a wholesome, nutrient-rich lentil soup ready to serve. Pair it with crusty bread or spoon it over rice for a filling and flavorful meal that's perfect for the whole family. Keywords: lentil soup, vegan recipes, healthy comfort food, easy lentil stew, plant-based dinner ideas.

Nutriscore Rating: 82/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:40 mins

Total Time:55 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 cup green or brown lentils (dried)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 medium yellow onion (diced)
• 2 medium carrots (diced)
• 2 stalks celery stalks (diced)
• 3 cloves garlic (minced)
• 1 15-ounce can diced tomatoes (canned)
• 6 cups vegetable broth
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon (adjust to taste) salt
• 0.5 teaspoons black pepper
• 2 cups spinach (fresh)
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice (freshly squeezed)

Directions

Step 1

Rinse the lentils thoroughly under cold water and set aside.

Step 2

In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat.

Step 3

Add the diced onion, carrots, and celery to the pot. Sauté for 5-7 minutes until the vegetables are softened and the onions are translucent.

Step 4

Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1 minute until fragrant.

Step 5

Stir in the rinsed lentils, canned diced tomatoes (with their juices), vegetable broth, bay leaf, dried thyme, ground cumin, paprika, salt, and black pepper.

Step 6

Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and let it simmer uncovered for 25-30 minutes or until the lentils are tender.

Step 7

Remove the bay leaf from the soup.

Step 8

Stir in the fresh spinach and cook for 2-3 minutes, until the spinach has wilted.

Step 9

Add the freshly squeezed lemon juice and give the soup a final stir. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.

Step 10

Serve hot with bread or over rice for a more filling meal.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2159.4g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1690.2

Total Fat 44.3g	0%
Saturated Fat 7.4g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 6.9g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 5992.5mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 257.0g	0%
Dietary Fiber 50.2g	0%
Total Sugars 42.5g
Protein 84.1g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 543.0mg	0%
Iron 25.5mg	0%
Potassium 5319.4mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 22.6%

Protein: 19.1%

Carbs: 58.3%