Lentil, Bacon and Vegetable Soup
Cozy Up with Our Easy Lentil Soup – A Flavorful & Healthy Delight!
Looking for a hearty, healthy, and incredibly easy meal to warm you up? Look no further than our Easy Lentil Soup! This isn’t your grandma’s complicated lentil soup recipe – we’ve streamlined the process without sacrificing any of the delicious, comforting flavor. Perfect for a chilly evening, a quick lunch, or a satisfying dinner, this soup is a winner for the whole family.
We’ve combined classic Mediterranean flavors with a touch of American comfort food, resulting in a soup that’s both familiar and exciting. The use of pre-cooked lentils makes this recipe incredibly fast – you’ll have a delicious, nourishing meal on the table in under an hour! We love how versatile this soup is – feel free to adjust the seasonings to your liking and add other vegetables you enjoy.
What makes this Easy Lentil Soup so special?
- Quick & Easy: Pre-cooked lentils are the secret weapon! Minimal prep time means more time enjoying your meal.
- Healthy & Nutritious: Lentils are packed with protein, fiber, and essential nutrients.
- Flavorful & Comforting: A perfect blend of savory vegetables, aromatic spices, and a hint of bacon.
- Versatile: Easily customizable to your taste preferences.
Tips for the Best Lentil Soup:
- Lentil Choice: We recommend Trader Joe’s pre-cooked lentils for convenience, but you can use any pre-cooked lentil variety. If using dried lentils, you’ll need to adjust the cooking time and add more liquid.
- Broth Options: Don’t be afraid to use what you have on hand! Chicken or vegetable broth both work beautifully. Water can also be used, but the broth adds extra flavor.
- Spice it Up: Feel free to experiment with different spices! Smoked paprika, cumin, or a pinch of red pepper flakes can add a delicious kick.
- Salt & Herb Mix: We love the Beautiful Briny Sea French Picnic salt & herb mix for a touch of coastal flavor, but any good quality herb blend will do.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q: Can I make this soup vegetarian or vegan?
A: Absolutely! Simply omit the bacon and use vegetable broth. You may want to add a touch of smoked paprika to mimic the smoky flavor of the bacon.
Q: Can I freeze this soup?
A: Yes! Lentil soup freezes beautifully. Allow it to cool completely before transferring it to airtight containers and freezing for up to 3 months.
Q: What if I don’t have pre-cooked lentils?
A: You can use dried lentils, but you’ll need to increase the cooking time and add more liquid. About 1 cup of dried lentils will yield approximately 3 cups of cooked lentils.
Q: Can I add other vegetables to this soup?
A: Definitely! Spinach, kale, potatoes, or sweet potatoes would all be delicious additions.
We hope you enjoy this Easy Lentil Soup as much as we do! It’s a perfect meal for any time of year.
Easy Lentil Soup
Ingredients
- 1/3 cup yellow onion
- 4 medium carrots peel if needed
- 6 sticks celery
- 2 gloves garlic
- 1/4 cup olive oil preferably cold pressed
- 1/3 cup green cabbage
- 4 pieces nitrate-free bacon
- 1 package Trader Joe's pre-cooked Lentils
- 2 tsp Italian spice mix
- 2 twigs fresh thyme
- 1 tsp sea salt
- to taste pepper
- to taste French Picnic salt & herb mix from Beautiful Briny Sea
Instructions
- Sauté the onions and garlic until slightly golden.
- Bake the bacon at 350 degrees Fahrenheit until just browned – then add to onions and garlic mix.
- Dice up the carrots, celery, cabbage (can be cut in small strips or diced) and add to onions, garlic and bacon.
- Cook until just softened.
- Add in rinsed lentils, 4 or 5 cups of water and a cup or two of either chicken broth or vegetable broth. Use whatever you have on stock!
- Add to mix and bring to a slight boil then turn down and simmer for about 20 minutes.
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