The Best Lentil Soup with Carrots

Name: The Best Lentil Soup
Cook time: 45 min
Ingredients: 1 pound lentils (dry); 10 cups water; 1 tbsp olive oil; 1 onion (chopped); 3 cloves garlic (minced); 3 carrots (chopped); 2 sweet potatoes (peeled and diced); 1 cup butternut squash (cubed); 1 large can crushed tomatoes; 1 tbsp italian seasoning; 1 tsp salt plus more to taste; black pepper to taste

January 5, 2023 by Sara Tercero 34 Comments

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This carrot and lentil soup is literally the best lentil soup you have ever had. It is tasty, nutritious and filling. Plus it's super easy to make and quick for a scratch recipe made with dried legumes. Lentils are the perfect texture and have a mild, earthy flavor, and they're complemented by the sweet flavor of carrots, sweet potatoes, and butternut squash. Crushed tomatoes add a nice tang to the broth and the simple seasonings really bring out the comfort.

overhead view of a white bowl holding the best lentil soup with carrots, sweet potatoes and more in a tomato broth next to red pepper flakes.

This is the perfect Saturday recipe, when you have a little extra time to cook and you can enjoy this all weekend. Eat a bowl with some crusty bread or a grilled cheese sandwich for the ultimate vegan comfort food. Perfect for soup season!

What are lentils?

Lentils are a type of legume that is sometimes called a pulse. They are high in protein and fiber and also a good source of non-heme (non animal) iron.

Lentils do not need to be soaked overnight and cook much quicker than beans. Lentils have a mild earthy flavor and a soft texture that makes them a very versatile ingredient. Plus, they are cheap and easy to cook, which is why they make great soup and are the star of this vegan lentil soup recipe.

There are several different types of lentils out there. I highly recommend sticking with dry brown or green lentils for this one! They're easy to find, very affordable, and will hold their texture really nicely.

Why you’ll love this Easy Carrot and Lentil Soup

Made with super simple ingredients and pantry staples
Inexpensive and incredibly filling soup the whole family will enjoy
Packed with plant-based protein from the lentils
Completely vegan - no animal products required
Easily the best lentil soup you'll ever try!
Loaded with fall flavors, like carrots, sweet potato, butternut squash, and more
Makes a complete meal on its own (or serve it with bread or a nice sandwich)
Great way to meal prep for a busy week

Ingredients for Lentil and Carrot Soup

The main ingredients for this epic vegan soup are so basic, which is part of the appeal. You can find them year round and they're both affordable and nutritious.

Dry lentils: I like to use green or brown lentils for this recipe. Red lentils taste great, but they break down too fast and lose their texture.
Water: No need for overpriced vegetable stock for this lentil carrot soup. You'll build flavor as you prepare the ingredients.
Olive oil
Onion
Garlic
Carrots: I love using carrots and other starchy orange veggies in this soup because they impart a nice sweetness and take on a creamy, toothsome texture as they soak up the broth.
Sweet potatoes
Butternut squash
Crushed tomatoes: The acidity of tomatoes makes the broth even more satisfying and adds a little contrast to all those sweet veggies.
Seasonings: Keep it simple with Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper.

Bonus tip: This soup is phenomenal for meal prep and the flavors develop even more as it rests in the fridge. Make a big batch and enjoy easy meals all week!

overhead view of a white bowl with the best vegan lentil carrot soup with red pepper flakes and lots of veggies.

How to Make Carrot and Lentil Soup

This recipe is an easy cook. I like to sauté my veggies as I think it imparts a superior flavor profile but if you prefer to just throw all the ingredients in a pot and boil them, it will still taste good.

Rinse the lentils in cold water to then add to a large pot with water and bring to a boil set a timer for 25 minutes.
In a large sauté pan over medium heat add olive oil, onion and garlic and cook until fragrant about 5 minutes.
Add carrots, butternut and sweet potatoes, season with salt and cook for 5 minutes stirring often.
Add contents of sauté pan to boiling lentils then cover to cook until timer set in step one goes off.
Check lentils, if soft, add canned tomatoes if not, wait another 5-10 minutes then add them.
Add Italian seasoning, salt and pepper. Taste for salt and adjust. Simmer for 10 minutes. The soup is ready when all veggies are fork tender and the lentils are soft.

Storing Suggestions

Allow any leftover soup to cool to room temperature, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for 4-5 days. To reheat, warm in a pan on the stove until piping hot and enjoy. You can also freeze the extras for up to several months, but be sure to leave at least an inch of headspace for the soup to expand.

Tips for Making the Best Carrot Lentil Soup

Add heat. All those sweet starches can handle warm spices and heat. If you want to add a little extra kick, season with chili powder, red pepper flakes, or cayenne pepper.
Garnish. There are quite a few ways to top this one off. Top each bowl of soup with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice and fresh green onion or cilantro, a sprinkle of nutritional yeast, chopped onion, red chilli flakes, or anything else you'd like.
Thicken it up. If you want a thicker soup, use an immersion blender to puree some of the mixture. This will thicken without requiring any starches or coconut milk, and you'll still get a great, toothsome texture from the lentils.

FAQs

Can you use red lentils instead?

Red lentils are wonderful but they are split in half, unlike brown and green lentils, which are whole. This causes them to cook much faster. They are a great alternative, but you'll likely end up with a thicker, puree-style soup unless you adjust the cooking time.

Can you make this soup in the instant pot?

Technically, yes, but believe me, you don't need it. The entire recipe takes about 45 minutes from start to finish, and you'll end up with a much better texture and flavor. The Instant Pot tends to overdo it with lentils and there's no replacement for layering flavor over time.

Other Delicious Vegan Soup Recipes

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