Name: Best Lentil Soup
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 1 h
Yield: 4
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil; 1 medium yellow onion (chopped); 4 medium carrots (chopped (2 cups)); 2 celery stalks (chopped); 6 small or 3 large kale leaves (stems finely diced, leaves chopped (8 cups)); Heaping ½ teaspoon ground cumin; 1½ teaspoons sea salt; Freshly ground black pepper; 4 garlic cloves (grated); 1 (14-ounce) can fire-roasted diced tomatoes; ¾ cup dry green lentils (rinsed); 2 tablespoons white wine vinegar; 12 fresh thyme sprigs (bundled); 6 cups vegetable broth; ½ cup chopped fresh parsley (for garnish); Red pepper flakes; Grated Parmesan cheese (for serving, optional)

Best Lentil Soup

This easy lentil soup recipe is healthy and delicious, filled with fresh veggies, herbs, and spices. Serve it with crusty bread for a simple weeknight meal! Skip the cheese to make this recipe vegan.

1 hr total 15 min prep 45 min cook 4 264 cal

Instructions

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1 Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onion, carrots, celery, kale stems, cumin, salt, and several grinds of pepper, and cook, stirring occasionally, for 8 minutes, or until the vegetables begin to soften.
2 Stir in the garlic, tomatoes, lentils, vinegar, thyme, and broth. Cover and simmer for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the lentils are tender. Add the kale leaves and cook for 5 minutes, or until wilted.
3 Remove the thyme bundle and season to taste. Serve topped with the parsley, red pepper flakes, and Parmesan, if desired.