Simple black lentil soup is a hearty vegan soup that’s warming for those cold winter days.
Hello, it’s snowing.
Baby Bee’s slide in our yard.Â
Again! I feel like a broken record. We’ve had so much snow, and so many bitterly cold days this winter, it’s just gotten to the point where a blizzard is not even anything to talk about anymore.
It’s not too big of a deal, I guess, because I am mostly home with the boys, and I have food in the kitchen and a warm house, so what do I really have to complain about? Nothing at all, really. I just pull the curtains open and enjoy the bright whiteness, and make lots of soup and cookies.
The other day I was looking through the pantry, and found a forgotten bag of black lentils. I had picked them up last summer, along with a bag of French green lentils just to try them and see if they were any different from the usual red lentils and green lentils that we eat. I decided to try them in a black lentil soup, and I was surprised to find out that black lentils are indeed a bit different from red and green lentils. For one thing, they held their shape better than the other varieties. The other thing that was slightly different was the flavor – I find red lentils to be very mild, and green lentils have a bit of a stronger flavor, but these black lentils had a deeper flavor that had an earthy quality. Darryl and I both really liked that earthiness in this soup.
This was a simple black lentil soup to make, onions, carrots, mushrooms, broth, plus the lentils…all in one pot. Easy and super healthy.
Recipe
Black Lentil Soup
Ingredients
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
- 1 onion chopped
- 2 garlic cloves crushed
- 1 cup baby carrots chopped
- 2 cups white mushrooms sliced
- 1 cup black beluga lentils picked over and rinsed
- 32 ounces vegetable broth
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- 1 teaspoon white vinegar
Instructions
- Saute the onion, garlic, and carrots in the olive oil over medium heat, until softened, about 5-7 minutes.
- Add the mushrooms and cook for about 5 minutes.
- Add the lentils, broth, thyme, salt, and pepper.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and cook on medium low until lentils are tender, about 30 minutes. If the liquid gets too low, add a bit of water.
- Add vinegar and stir. Serve immediately.
Nutrition
I hope you enjoy this soup as much as we did! Have you tried different varieties of lentils? Which type is your favorite?
Follow along:
Iohannes
I also use Beluga Black lentils for my vegan soup, for our Restaurant, in Maui, home to many vegetarians. In my version of this flavorsome soup, I add the basic mirepoix, cauliflower, zukini, marinara sauce, rosemary, sage, and bay leaves.
Daveo
Just made this soup! Added cauliflower because it was on it’s way out. Omg delicious. Thank you very much for your gift of knowledge!
Kelly Roenicke
So glad you liked it! Cauliflower sounds like a good addition!
Chelsea @chelseasmessyapron
Haha i LOVE that first picture! So funny. And so much snow – when will it end?! Haha. I’ve actually never had lentils – how crazy is that? I need to try them! And this soup is gorgeous! Pinned :)
Kelly
Thanks for pinning, Chelsea! I can’t believe you haven’t had lentils! You have to try them, they are great in soup! Lentil burgers are really good, too.
Kim @ 2justByou
Kelly – Came back to let you know that I finally joined Zulily (couldn’t pass up the TOMS sale). I forgot you shared your affiliate link, though. I tweeted and tagged you and zulily, because I want to be sure you get credit for getting me on the wagon. =0)
consuelohoneyandfigs
It never snows here, and I kinda like it that way since I’m starting to hate the cold weather :–(
This soup looks incredibly comforting and delicious. I love lentils, so I cannot wait to try it :)
Kelly
I hope you love the soup! I am starting to hate the cold, too. :( I think a couple months of cold and snow is more than enough!
Kim @ 2justByou
It doesn’t snow where I live. In fact, we’re in desperate need of rain here in California!
But your snow covered slide and all the pretty white-ness is fun to see through your photos.
Soups are awesome winter day/night meals. They always keep you warm and toasty.
Kelly
I’ve heard that you guys need some rain out there…I’ll trade you some snow for some warm temps, how about that? ;)
Natalie @ Tastes Lovely
Looks like you’re living in a winter wonderland Kelly! This soup is sure to warm your family right up. And being snowed in is the perfect time to do some bargain online shopping : )
Kelly
I know, all this snow is making me spend money online! Yikes. ;)