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1 Pot Vegan Lentil Soup made in Instant Pot or Saucepan. This Easy Lentil Vegetable Soup is warming, comforting and so filling. 30 Minute Freezer friendly, Everyday Ingredients. Gluten-free, Soyfree, Nutfree Recipe. Jump to Recipe
Lentil soups in various forms are pretty much a staple in the house. Whats not to love! A Comforting Bowl of delicious brothy or creamy, veggies and lentils that are cooked just perfect.
Soups make a great 1 Pot meal with any veggies added in. Adjust the cooking time based on lentils used (there are various types of lentils! which might need a few minutes less or more cooking time) and make it brothy/stewy, or creamy by blending some of the soup or adding some coconut milk. Simple spices such as cumin, curry powder(which you can change up or omit), garlic and tomatoes adding amazing flavor to the broth, with a good helping black pepper to add warmth and amazing flavor. So much deliciousness in a bowl! Use other spices and herbs for variations. See tips below to make the best lentil soup every time!!
More Soups from the blog
- IP Lentil Chili. GF
- IP Mushroom Wild Rice Soup. GF
- Japanese Veggie Curry. GF
- Instant Pot Lasagna Soup with Red lentils. – So Easy
- IP Potato Chickpea Soup. GF
- Tomato Soup with Tofu Croutons.
- Cauliflower soup. GF
- Tortilla soup with red lentils. GF
How to make amazing Vegan Lentil Soup !
- Lentils are not all same: There are Indian Brown(might also be labelled as unskinned/whole red lentils, Sabut Masoor(hindi)), Spanish Brown, Green, Puy, beluga, yellow, red(quick cooking lentils, dont use these in this recipe) etc. I usually use brown lentils as I prefer their texture and flavor. Green and other lentils will work as well. Green lentils might need additional 2 mins in the InstantPot and 10 mins in saucepan.
- Age of the lentils also can interfere in the time needed to cook them to your preferred doneness. Add more time if they dont get done enough, reduce the time a bit if they cook too soft in the given time.
- Mash some of the lentils with a spatula, blend some for a thicker soup, or add some coconut milk in the end for creamier.
- To double, double everything except heat and water. Use a bit less than double for both. So 4.5 cups water/broth for 1.5 cups lentils.
Step by Step photos
Vegan Lentil Soup Instant Pot or Saucepan
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup broth or water, ,or use 1 tsp oil
- 1/2 onion chopped
- 4 cloves of garlic , ,finely chopped
- 1/2 inch ginger , ,finely chopped
- 1 hot green chili, , finely chopped (optional), use mild or bell pepper for less heat
- 1/2 tsp ground cumin or ground coriander, or both
- 1/2 tsp turmeric
- 1/2 to 1 tsp garam masala , or curry powder or ethiopian berbere, or just use more of cumin or coriander
- 1/2 tsp dried thyme, or rosemary (optional)
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 15 oz diced tomatoes, , or 2 medium tomatoes, chopped
- 3/4 cup sliced carrots, , or other veggies
- 3/4 cup lentils , or a mix of brown/green lentils, green mung beans, black eyed peas (check for debris, wash and soak for 10 mins if needed)
- 2.5 cups veggie broth or water, , 3 cups for saucepan
- 3/4 tsp salt, , less or more depending on if the veggie broth is salted
- 2 cups spinach or chopped quick cooking greens
- cayenne and lemon/lime juice to taste
- pepper flakes for garnish
Instructions
- Start the Instant pot pressure cooker on saute. Add broth and let it heat up. Add onion, garlic, ginger, chili and pinch of salt. Cook until translucent 2-3 mins). Deglaze with a tbsp broth if needed in between.
- Add the spices and mix in. Add tomatoes and cook for 2 mins. Mash the larger pieces.
- Add the lentils, carrots, water/broth and salt and mix really well to pick up any stuck bits.
- Close the lid and Pressure Cook for 12 to 15 mins (depending on preference and lentils used).
- Let the pressure release naturally. Open the lid, and mix in the greens. Add some cayenne and lime juice. Taste and adjust salt and flavor. Mash some of the lentils with a spatula or blend a 1/2 cup of the soup and mix in for thicker soup. You can also add a 1/2 cup non dairy cream or coconut milk for creamy soup.
- Stovetop: Follow Step 1,2,3 in a saucepan over medium heat. You will need to cook a few mins longer at each step. Bring to a boil and cook for 10 minutes. Reduce heat to medium-low, partially cover and continue to cook for 15 minutes or until the lentils are cooked to preference. Fold in the greens and cook for another 2 mins. Add lemon juice, adjust salt and pepper.
- Store the cooled leftover soup in a covered container in the refrigerator for upto 4 days and freeze for upto a month.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
“This vegan lentil soup recipe is absolutely amazing! The blend of spices like cumin, turmeric, and garam masala really adds depth to the flavors. I love how versatile it is — I used fresh spinach and doubled the batch so I could freeze some for later. It’s so hearty and satisfying, especially with the addition of carrots and tomatoes. Perfect for a healthy and warming meal. Thanks for the great recipe, Vegan Richa!”
So glad you liked it!
The combination of spices really elevate this soup. Used baby arugula and a teaspoon of Better Than Bouillon No-Chicken dissolved in water for the broth. Thank you for another easy, delicious recipe!
yay! thank you!
This has become my go-to lentil soup recipe! I use frozen spinach because I always have some on hand. I always seem to have all the ingredients on hand too. I never tire of this soup! So yummy and healthy! Thanks for the great recipe Vegan Richa! 🙂
yay!
Best instant pot lentil soup recipe I have found. Everyone loved it. I am going to make a bigger batch next time for freezing.
good idea, thank you
Another winner Richa! You deserve the Oscar for recipes. Wow, is this ever tasty!
❤️❤️
Love this soup. I make it frequently. Only change I make is crushed chilli flakes in place of green chili as that is usually what I have in, and occasionally using frozen spinach in place of fresh.
Tasty & Easy Recipe. I’ve been making it for months now. Great for budget conscious eating.
Thank you 😊
Absolute winner with our (usually fussy) family! We used this in our brand new instant pot, and found recipe easy to use and result looked pretty much like the pic. Just used chard instead of spinach as that was what we had. Definitely making this again! Thank you.
that’s great to hear
I really like this soup. Its a go to recipe I keep on hand when I want something warm, healthy and comforting. It is so delicious and I even use more veggies to make it super hearty.
comfort food. yummmmm