Vegetarian Winter Lentil Soup

Warm up your winter nights with this hearty and nutritious Vegetarian Winter Lentil Soup, a perfect blend of comfort and flavor. Packed with protein-rich lentils, vibrant veggies like carrots, celery, and kale or spinach, and seasoned with aromatic spices such as smoked paprika, cumin, and thyme, this soup is a nourishing hug in a bowl. A hint of zesty lemon juice at the end brightens every spoonful, while an optional touch of blending creates an irresistibly thick texture. Ready in just an hour, this one-pot wonder is ideal for meal prep or cozy family dinners, and it pairs beautifully with crusty bread. Experience the ultimate winter comfort food that's vegan, gluten-free, and full of wholesome goodness!

Nutriscore Rating: 82/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:45 mins

Total Time:60 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 large yellow onion
• 3 medium carrots
• 2 celery stalks
• 4 garlic cloves
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 14-ounce can diced tomatoes
• 1.5 cups dry green or brown lentils
• 6 cups vegetable broth
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 3 cups kale or spinach
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice

Directions

Step 1

Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.

Step 2

Dice the onion, carrots, and celery into small pieces. Mince the garlic cloves.

Step 3

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

Step 4

Stir in the minced garlic and tomato paste. Cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.

Step 5

Add the diced tomatoes, lentils, vegetable broth, bay leaf, dried thyme, smoked paprika, ground cumin, black pepper, and salt. Stir well to combine.

Step 6

Increase the heat to bring the soup to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover and let it simmer for 30-35 minutes, or until the lentils are tender. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.

Step 7

Remove the bay leaf. If desired, use an immersion blender to puree a small portion of the soup to thicken the texture, while leaving most of the soup chunky.

Step 8

Stir in the kale or spinach and cook for an additional 5 minutes until it wilts.

Step 9

Add the lemon juice and give the soup a final stir. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.

Step 10

Serve hot with crusty bread or as a standalone meal. Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(3032.0g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1619.4

Total Fat 47.9g	0%
Saturated Fat 8.0g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 7.2g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 6563.1mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 247.9g	0%
Dietary Fiber 69.0g	0%
Total Sugars 61.4g
Protein 79.9g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 1487.6mg	0%
Iron 30.7mg	0%
Potassium 7947.8mg	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: 24.7%

Protein: 18.3%

Carbs: 56.9%