Remember that one time I preached about not letting kale rule your life and then posted a recipe with kale two days later? The irony is killing me.
Lentil soup fixes everything. It's totes a cure all. Smashed veggie tacos at 3am? Eat lentil soup. Devoured obscene amounts of chocolate when it was or wasn't that time of the month? Eat lentil soup. Broke your toe? Eat lentil soup.
Lentils are just lovely.
This soup is total detox in a bowl. Like it's impossible to get sick if you're eating it. Chock full of veggies, fiberful lentils and chunks of taters, this truly is one hearty bowl of heaven. I took it for lunch today in my new fave thermos that's meant for small children not full-grown hummusapiens. I heated it up at 730am till it was piping hot and then popped it in my pink thermos. It wasn't as hot by noon, but it was still plenty warm and enjoyable. Thermos = my new BFFL.
This recipe is super easy to make and pretty darn customizable as well. Feel free to swap in sweet potatoes and leave the potatoes out all together. Use spinach instead of kale if you so fancy. I used half a bag of frozen kale from Trader Joe's that I thawed in the micro and it worked just fine. The only thing you really can't change is the type of lentil. Red lentils cook much faster and will turn this soup into mush, so make sure to use brown lentils unless you want to eat goop soup. You can grab a whole bag of lentils for less than a couple bucks.
I'm just not digging green smoothies at the moment. I mean I just haven't been in the mood. I want to eat all my veggies in a bowl of warm and fuzzies that's obnoxiously slurpable.
Done and done.
Hearty Lentil, Kale & Potato Soup
Hearty Lentil, Kale & Potato Soup
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 40 mins
- Total Time: 50 mins
- Yield: 4 1x
- Category: Soups
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
- Diet: Vegan
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 stalks of celery, diced
- 2 large carrots, diced
- 1 cup dry lentils (not red), rinsed and picked over
- 4 cups vegetables broth + ½ cup water
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ¼ tsp cumin
- ¼ tsp coriander
- 1 large potato, dixed (about 1 ½ cups)
- ½ bunch kale, ribs removed and chopped finely (or half a bag of thawed from frozen kale)
- 2 tsp red wine vinegar
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat. Add onion, celery and carrots and sauté until softened, about ten minutes.
- Add lentils, broth, water, salt, garlic, cumin and coriander. Stir together and bring to a boil. Once soup has reached a boil, reduce heat to low and simmer, covered for 20 minutes.
- Add chopped potatoes and simmer, covered for 15 more minutes or until potatoes are fork tender.
- Add kale and simmer, covered for 5 more minutes, or until kale is wilted.
- Remove from heat and stir in red wine vinegar. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
ShellyB says
We made a double batch of this recipe exactly as written (with green lentils) and have never had better lentils! My husband is a food snob and he told me to "star" this recipe!! It's really delicious! Don't delay, this is a perfect winter meal with fresh bread!
Alexis Joseph, MS, RD says
You made my day, thank you!
Christine says
Very easy to make. Delicious quick meal. I added some loose spicy sausage to mine. Very good!
Alexis Joseph, MS, RD says
Thank sounds amazing!!
Lori says
We absolutely love this recipe and have been making it for years!
Every New Year’s Day we exchange the lentils with black eyed peas and it becomes a hearty one pot southern tradition meal! Always a big hit!
My German husband occasionally adds sausages as a take on the “Linseneintopf” (one pot lentil stew) he grew up enjoying.
Thanks so much for the healthy, delicious and versatile recipe!
Alexis Joseph says
This is the best news, thanks so much Lori! I need to try with black eyed peas 🙂
Tammy says
I added a can of diced tomatoes, leftover ham pieces from Thanksgiving and used tiny red potatoes cut in half. Was absolutely delicious!!!!!
Alexis Joseph says
MMmmmm sounds perfect!
Lalamamapalooza says
I have been making the Hearty Lentil, Kale, & Potato soup for several years. It is just about as perfect as a meal can be. My family consists of picky teenagers and a carnivore husband and they absolutely love it. I often will cook a side of loose mild Italian sausage (drained and paper towel squeezed to reduce the fat), for the carnivore hubs to add as a topping to the soup. My daughter and I love the red wine vinegar for a touch of acid, but the boys do not. So much versatility! Can’t say enough good things about it. This soup has become a family tradition!
Alexis Joseph says
You made my night, Laura! I love that the whole family chows down on this 🙂
David says
Can I leave out the red wine vinegar or substitute it with something else? I didn’t realize until the last minute that I didn't have any.
Alexis Joseph says
You can use lemon juice! A bit of acid helps brighten the soup/
Donna S says
I just came back to this recipe and realized I had never left a review. The fact that I am coming back is because this is a perfect, go-to recipe for lentil soup! The flavors are just right and the kale makes it a complete meal.
Alexis says
You made my day, thanks Donna! Be sure to check out this Instant Pot Lentil Soup, too 🙂
Emily says
Loved this recipe so much!! I added some leftover chicken thighs and other leftover veggies I had and it turned out great. Will for sure make again!
Alexis Joseph says
I'm so glad to hear that, Emily! Thanks!
Emilu says
This was excellent! I subbed in bacon fat for the olive oil Bc the only olive oil i have is the expensive kind from Spain that you drizzle and taste, not cook with and I added a Parmesan rind to it when I added the broth to give it some additional flavor bc I also didn’t have cumin (I don’t know how that is possible). And I used apple cider vinegar bc I lacked red wine vinegar. I will absolutely be making this time and again this winter. So good!
Alexis Joseph says
There ya go! Thanks for sharing your changes. Glad to know it worked!
Lisa says
Made this yesterday. Added panfried Beyond Sausage. Soooo very good!!!!!!
Emily says
I make this all the time! But now since trying to lose weight I am logging my calories. Does anyone know approximately how many calories a serving contains?
Sarah says
I have a fail safe lentil soup recipe, and when I saw all the reviews on this one, I decided to take a chance on it. Well, this is now our go to lentil soup recipe!! Absolutely delicious, thank you so much for sharing it. Just lovely! I cannot wait for the leftovers tomorrow and share it with my family.
sohani patel says
sorry for rating ...it's mis typing so now your rating is 5 star
Nicole says
I've made this several times and it's perfect -- easy, delicious, filling. Today I tried a twist out of necessity -- I ran out of lentils and so ended up using 3/4 cup lentils and 1/4 cup split peas. It made it super creamy instead of brothy. Still great!
Anastasia85 says
Delicious! This soup has a very hearty and delightfully unique taste. The fact that it is vegetarian and could easily be made vegan by subbing olive for the butter is an added bonus.
Mary Ann says
Acid makes the lentils take a bit longer to cook, which is ok, as they cook quickly anyway. I would add the vinegar later i the cooking process, along with tomatoes if you add those as well.
melliforte says
I made this yesterday and it came out fabulous. Perfect for a cold winter night. Here are my customizations: I used black beluga lentils which gave great flavor and bean liquor. I used organic red skin potatoes. I doubled the cumin and coriander and halved the salt. I added pinches of thyme, paprika and chilli powder. Instead of red wine vinegar at the end, I added red wine at the same time that I added the lentils so their flavors could develop together. So delicious, thank you!
Jana says
This soup is amazing. Thank you so much for this awesome recipe and entertaining read 🙂 I didn't have to change a thing and it was perfect.
Jackie says
Hi! This looks yummy! I have some prepared lentils to use- should I just cut down the broth by #? ?
Thanks!!!
SARAI FOSS says
I tried this recipe and it was amazing!!!!I omitted the red wine vinegar because I didn't have any, but still great tasting recipe!!!!
Beth says
I made this soup hoping it would be a good way to eat kale since I don't like how it taste normally. I'm so surprised how good the soup is. I skipped a few ingredients because I didn't have them and it was still really good. So if you want a good way to eat gross but healthy foods, this is it!
Alexis says
Kale can be pretty earthy, so I love masking the flavor in yummy soups. I'm so excited that you enjoyed it!
Mee Anders says
Fantastic recipe. I've been trying to get my wife to eat more vegetarian recipes. She loved the lentils and kale combination so this is a great start. I used yukon gold potatoes instead of russets and I also added a chopped up jalapeno which I had left over from a chili recipe which gave the dish a little spice.
Alexis says
Awesome! I love that you used yukon golds...those are the best! The jalapeno addition sounds perfect too.
Danielle says
This recipe is excellent. I'm not much of a cook, and so often get discouraged when the fruits of my labour in the kitchen don't pan out - which happens frequently! This recipe is fool-proof and soooooo delicious! I didn't have red wine vinegar, but substituted lemon juice, per your comment above - it was perfect. So happy! Thank you!!!
Alexis says
Awesome! I'm thrilled to hear that it worked out so well 🙂
Karina says
Hello, I came across your soup through a Google search. I had so much kale to use up before it went bad and this was absolutely perfect. I've made it twice already! I was curious if you knew the nutritional value such as calories. This is so I can add it to MyfitnessPal.
Alexis says
I'm so glad you liked it, Karina! Unfortunately I don't calculate nutrition info, sorry dear!
Sally says
I just made this for dinner and it.is.amazing! Definitely feels like detox in a bowl, but Is still so hearty and soul warming. This is a new favorite, for sure.
Alexis says
Awesome! I love how you called it detox in a bowl--so spot on!
Elina says
very good lentil soup recipe. Thank you! 🙂
Alexis says
Great! You're so welcome!
Donna says
This is the 1st recipe I've made from your blog. Your lovely picture here won me over. Even though we're not eating it until tomorrow I did the taste test before putting in refrig. and the soup is delicious! I'm so glad I had all the ingredients on hand and made it!!! Many thanks!
Alexis says
That's awesome, Donna! Enjoy!
Crystal Schmitz says
I used homemade bone broth made from an organic chicken. Used 2 cups of the bone broth and then 2.5 cups water. Instead of garlic powder I minced a large clove of garlic instead and sauteed it with the celery/carrots/onions. I also substituted red wine vinegar with apple cider vinegar. Thanks so much for the recipe it turned out amazing!!
Tonette Joyce says
I've been using plain lentil soup for years to crush cravings! I tooling around this blog and laughing at how we think alike in many ways...I promise not to over-fill your comments and bore you, but it is FUNNY! This is a great recipe...you have many, many recipes that I will try.
Alexis says
I LOVE your comments! Keem 'em coming!! Enjoy 🙂
Dustin V says
Made a double batch of this today, it is delicious! Thanks for the great recipe!
Alexis says
You're so welcome--good call on making double 🙂
Marissa says
I recently stumbled upon your blog when I was searching for a lentil soup recipe. I immediately stopped looking after I found this and made it the next day, it was soo good! I wanted to thank you for sharing your recipes and being such a food enthusiast! I'm glad our paths have crossed and I hope you have a wonderful day:)
Alexis says
Awww thanks so much for the sweet comment, Marissa! So glad you enjoyed the soup!
arnold Z says
Would you substitute using chicken broth?
Alexis says
Yes, you can use chicken broth or water instead of vegetable broth.
Jamie says
Wonderful soup for a cool night here in the mountains. Picnic on Sat-special guest will by your "Greek Orzo Pasta Salad". Thank you!
Alexis says
Awwww so glad to hear that! Thanks, Jamie!
Cat says
I was looking for a good soup recipe and this was exactly what I was looking!! Thank you so much for posting this recipe! It's delicious, healthy, and filling 🙂 what more could a girl want?
Kittie says
This was delicious! The vinegar at the end totally makes it.
Alexis says
Awesome! The vinegar definitely brightens it up. Lemon juice works, too!
Dustin V says
Agreed, I actually forgot the vinegar until I was done and tried some, then after adding I found it really brought all of the flavors together well.
Suge says
have you tried this in a crockpot?
Alexis says
Hi Suge--I haven't tried this in a crockpot, but I don't see why it wouldn't work!
melissa says
Can I use black lentils?
Alexis says
I think that would be fine!
Susan Smeltzer says
I'm going to cook this right now and top it with some sliced avocado and lemon juice. I'll report back. 🙂
Alexis says
Mmmmm avocado on top is perfection!
Dusty says
Loved it! I used Trader Joe's steamed lentils and put in for last 5-10 minutes of cooking time. Also put grated Parmesan on top when serving.
Alexis says
Those are so amazing to have in a pinch. Love the Parmesan addition!
kim says
this is deeeeeelish! thank you x
Sarah Plant says
Great recipe, thank you! I've got some left over kale so can't wait to give it a go! Do you think you could freeze any leftovers?
Alexis says
You're very welcome, Sarah! I definitely think you could freeze the leftovers. Enjoy!
Sarah Plant says
Oh my word....just made this and I think it's the nicest thing I've had for a while! It will certainly brighten up my day at work when I have it for lunch!
Alexis says
Fabulous! That's so great to hear 🙂 Enjoy!
katie says
why not red lentils? I just bought some last night and made a lentil spinach masala dish, and was thinking about using them for this recipe tonight!
Alexis says
Red lentils cook much faster than green or brown lentils, so they will turn to mush. Hope you enjoy it!
runningnurse says
Sounds delicious! What kind of vegetable broth do you use? I can't seem to find one that is low in sodium. Could I use water instead of vegetable broth?
Alexis says
I used Trader Joe's regular vegetable broth. I don't like using low-sodium since I always end up adding more sale to flavor it anyway :/ You could use water, but it may not be as flavorful! I'd suggest adding more spices to amp up the flavor if you use water.
Shay says
Best soup ever! Best soup ever! BEST SOUP EVER!!! 🙂
Alexis says
Awwww yay! Thanks for commenting back 🙂