Spicy Lentil Soup with Carrots (Printable Version)
Hearty bowl with tender lentils, carrots, celery, and aromatic spices for cozy meals.
# Ingredient List:
→ Legumes
01 - 1 cup dried brown or green lentils, rinsed
→ Vegetables
02 - 2 medium carrots, diced
03 - 2 celery stalks, diced
04 - 1 medium onion, finely chopped
05 - 3 garlic cloves, minced
06 - 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes
→ Liquids
07 - 4 cups vegetable broth
08 - 1 cup water
→ Spices & Seasonings
09 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
10 - 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
11 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
12 - 1/4–1/2 teaspoon chili flakes
13 - 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
14 - 1 teaspoon salt
15 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
→ Garnish
16 - Fresh parsley or cilantro, chopped
17 - Lemon wedges
# Step-by-Step Instructions:
01 - Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add chopped onion and cook for 3–4 minutes until softened and translucent.
02 - Stir in minced garlic, diced carrots, and celery. Sauté for another 3–4 minutes until vegetables begin to soften and garlic becomes fragrant.
03 - Add cumin, coriander, smoked paprika, chili flakes, and black pepper. Cook for 1 minute while stirring constantly to toast the spices and release their oils.
04 - Add rinsed lentils, diced tomatoes, vegetable broth, water, and salt. Stir thoroughly to combine all ingredients.
05 - Bring mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 25–30 minutes until lentils and vegetables are completely tender.
06 - Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. For a creamier texture, partially blend using an immersion blender. Serve hot, garnished with fresh herbs and lemon wedges.
# Tips from hearthlykitchen:
01 -
- The spices create this warming depth that sneaks up on you
- It tastes even better the next day which is rare for soup
02 -
- Red lentils cook faster but will make the soup much thicker and softer
- The soup continues to thicken as it sits so thin it slightly when reheating
03 -
- Rinse your lentils thoroughly and pick out any small stones
- Letting the soup rest for 10 minutes before serving allows flavors to meld