Swiss Chard and Lentil Soup with Lemon Juice

Warm, nourishing, and bursting with vibrant flavors, Swiss Chard and Lentil Soup with Lemon Juice is a hearty and wholesome meal perfect for any season. This comforting recipe combines tender green or brown lentils with a medley of sautéed aromatic vegetables—onions, carrots, and celery—enhanced by fragrant spices like cumin, coriander, and smoked paprika. A burst of freshness from chopped Swiss chard and a finishing squeeze of tangy lemon juice elevates this dish into a perfectly balanced soup. Served piping hot and optionally garnished with fresh parsley, it’s a plant-based, protein-packed option that’s naturally gluten-free and loaded with nutrients. Ready in under an hour, this quick and easy recipe will become your go-to for a satisfying and healthy weeknight dinner!

Nutriscore Rating: 80/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:45 mins

Total Time:60 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons Olive oil
• 1 large Onion, diced
• 2 medium Carrots, diced
• 2 Celery stalks, diced
• 3 Garlic cloves, minced
• 1 teaspoon Ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon Ground coriander
• 1 teaspoon Smoked paprika
• 1 cup Dried green or brown lentils, rinsed
• 6 cups Vegetable broth
• 1 Bay leaf
• 1 bunch Swiss chard, stems removed and leaves chopped
• 2 tablespoons Lemon juice, freshly squeezed
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper
• 2 tablespoons Fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)

Directions

Step 1

Heat the olive oil in a large soup pot or Dutch oven over medium heat.

Step 2

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

Step 3

Stir in the minced garlic, ground cumin, ground coriander, and smoked paprika. Cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly, until the spices are fragrant.

Step 4

Add the rinsed lentils, vegetable broth, and bay leaf to the pot. Stir to combine.

Step 5

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

Step 6

Add the chopped Swiss chard to the pot. Cook for an additional 5-7 minutes, until the chard is wilted and tender.

Step 7

Stir in the freshly squeezed lemon juice, salt, and black pepper. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.

Step 8

Remove the bay leaf. Serve the soup hot, garnished with fresh parsley if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2392.9g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1257.3

Total Fat 43.6g	0%
Saturated Fat 7.4g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 6.9g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 6428.0mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 179.1g	0%
Dietary Fiber 48.8g	0%
Total Sugars 44.7g
Protein 53.2g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 583.1mg	0%
Iron 22.2mg	0%
Potassium 5518.0mg	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: 29.7%

Protein: 16.1%

Carbs: 54.2%