Spicy Lentil Soup Carrots Celery (Printable)

Hearty lentils combined with carrots, celery, and spices for a flavorful vegan option.

# What You'll Need:

→ Vegetables

01 - 1 medium onion, finely chopped
02 - 2 medium carrots, diced
03 - 2 celery stalks, diced
04 - 3 garlic cloves, minced

→ Legumes

05 - 1 cup dried brown or green lentils, rinsed

→ Liquids

06 - 5 cups vegetable broth
07 - 1 tablespoon olive oil

→ Spices & Seasonings

08 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
09 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
10 - 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper, to taste
11 - 1 teaspoon ground coriander
12 - 1 bay leaf
13 - 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
14 - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
15 - Juice of 1/2 lemon

→ Garnish (optional)

16 - Fresh cilantro or parsley, chopped
17 - Red chili flakes

# How-To Steps:

01 - Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add onion, carrots, and celery; sauté for 5 to 6 minutes until softened.
02 - Incorporate garlic, cumin, coriander, smoked paprika, and cayenne pepper; cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
03 - Add rinsed lentils, bay leaf, and vegetable broth to the pot; stir to combine.
04 - Bring mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 25 to 30 minutes until lentils are tender.
05 - Remove bay leaf; stir in salt, black pepper, and lemon juice. Adjust seasoning as needed.
06 - Optionally, partially blend the soup with an immersion blender for a creamier consistency or leave chunky as preferred.
07 - Ladle soup into bowls and garnish with fresh herbs and red chili flakes if desired.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • It comes together with simple ingredients you probably already have, no special trips required.
  • The spices build warmth without overwhelming, and you can dial the heat up or down as you like.
  • Leftovers taste even better the next day when the flavors have had time to settle in.
02 -
  • Dont skip rinsing the lentils, I once didnt and ended up with a gritty spoonful that ruined the whole experience.
  • If the soup thickens too much as it sits, just add a splash of broth or water when you reheat it.
  • Taste before you add all the salt, some broths are saltier than others and you dont want to overdo it.
03 -
  • Let the soup sit for 10 minutes off the heat before serving, it gives the flavors time to come together.
  • If youre making it ahead, undercook the lentils slightly so they dont turn mushy when reheated.
  • A pinch of sugar can balance the acidity if the lemon juice tastes too sharp.

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