Spicy Lentil Soup Carrots Celery (Print Version)
Hearty lentils simmered with carrots, celery, and spices for a cozy meal with a spicy kick.
# What You Need:
→ Legumes
01 - 1 cup dried brown or green lentils, rinsed
→ Vegetables
02 - 2 medium carrots, diced
03 - 2 celery stalks, diced
04 - 1 medium onion, finely chopped
05 - 3 garlic cloves, minced
06 - 1 (14 oz) can diced tomatoes
→ Liquids
07 - 4 cups vegetable broth
08 - 1 cup water
→ Spices & Seasonings
09 - 1 tsp ground cumin
10 - 1/2 tsp ground coriander
11 - 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
12 - 1/4–1/2 tsp chili flakes
13 - 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
14 - 1 tsp salt
15 - 2 tbsp olive oil
→ Garnish
16 - Fresh parsley or cilantro, chopped
17 - Lemon wedges
# How-To Steps:
01 - Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add chopped onion and cook 3–4 minutes until softened and translucent.
02 - Stir in minced garlic, diced carrots, and celery. Sauté 3–4 minutes until vegetables begin to soften and garlic becomes fragrant.
03 - Add cumin, coriander, smoked paprika, chili flakes, and black pepper. Cook 1 minute while stirring constantly to release essential oils and enhance flavor.
04 - Add rinsed lentils, diced tomatoes with juices, vegetable broth, water, and salt. Stir thoroughly to incorporate all ingredients.
05 - Bring mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer 25–30 minutes until lentils and vegetables are completely tender.
06 - Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. For creamier texture, partially blend using immersion blender if desired.
07 - Ladle hot soup into bowls and garnish with chopped fresh parsley or cilantro. Serve with lemon wedges on the side.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- It comes together in under an hour with ingredients you probably already have in your pantry
- The spice blend creates this warming heat that sneaks up on you — the kind that makes your nose tingle just enough
02 -
- I once skipped toasting the spices and the soup tasted flat — that minute of cooking them in the hot oil makes all the difference
- Lentil soup continues to thicken as it sits, so if you're meal prepping, add a splash of water when you reheat it
03 -
- Use an immersion blender for just 10 seconds to thicken the base while keeping plenty of texture
- Always add the lemon juice at the table — cooking it destroys the bright acidity that balances the spices