This easy vegan lentil soup is chock full of wholesome ingredients and can be on the table in about 30-minutes. It's a one-pot meal, so clean up is a breeze! I've included directions for cooking on the stovetop, Instant Pot, and crockpot.
This healthy soup is super simple to make, and clean up is fast because it can be made all in one pot.
Begin by dicing up the onion and garlic. If you like, the spinach leaves can also be sliced. I tend to buy baby spinach with small leaves, so I don’t chop it up.
Next, sauté the onion in veggie broth over medium heat for about 5 minutes.
Add garlic, cumin, smoked paprika, coriander, salt & pepper, and cook for another 3 minutes, stirring frequently.
Add veggie broth, tomato paste, red lentils, and a bay leaf and bring to a boil. Stir well, then lower the heat and add fire-roasted tomatoes and their liquid.
Simmer for about 20 minutes, or until lentils are tender.
Remove the bay leaf, and add the baby spinach leaves. Cover with a lid and allow to simmer for about 1-minute. Remove from the heat and allow to cool.
Crockpot & Instant Pot directions below.
Video
Notes
Instant Pot: Add all of the ingredients (except the spinach) PLUS 1 cup extra broth to your pot insert. Lockdown the lid and set the release valve to Sealed. This should be cooked on Manual and the timer needs to be set to 7 minutes. Allow for a slow-release for 10 minutes then release pressure. Add the spinach leaves last, while the soup is hot. They should wilt within a few minutes. If they don't wilt enough, simply heat the soup up for about 1-2 minutes.Crockpot: Add all the ingredients except for the spinach PLUS 1 cup extra broth to your slow cooker or crockpot. Allow the soup to cook LOW for about 5 hours. Add the greens after the soup has cooked (while still hot in the pot) before serving.Your Vegan Lentil Soup Questions Answered:
Q: Is lentil soup vegan? Often times it is, though some versions call for meat or parmesan cheese. This recipe is completely vegan though.
Q: Do I need to soak the lentils before making soup? No need to soak the lentils before adding them to this recipe. You can add them straight into the stew.
Q: What do you eat with lentil soup? A garden salad and crusty bread are great sides to eat with lentil soup.
Q: Is lentil soup good for you? Yes, lentils are loaded with fiber and protein, and most lentil soup recipes also add in lots of other vegetables.
Q: Can I use another type of lentils? Red lentils are best for stews because they get nice and creamy and help thicken the stew up. They also cook much faster than other lentil variations.
Detailed instructions, in-process photos, and my personal helpful tips can be found in the article above.