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Lentil Kale Soup Recipe

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★★★★★

4.9 from 86 reviews

This hearty Lentil Kale Soup is a wholesome, comforting one-pot meal perfect for any day. Featuring tender lentils and fresh kale, it’s packed with nutrients and layered flavors that taste like they simmered for hours. Quick to prepare and easy to clean up, this soup is ideal for busy cooks who want a nourishing, satisfying dish that also freezes beautifully for future meals.

Ingredients

Scale

Vegetables

  • 1 large yellow onion, diced
  • 2 medium carrots, diced
  • 2 celery stalks, diced
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 bunch kale, stems removed, leaves chopped

Spices and Seasonings

  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 teaspoon dried cumin
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon salt (to taste)
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper (to taste)
  • Juice of 1 lemon

Pantry

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 ½ cups dried green or brown lentils, rinsed
  • 6 cups vegetable broth
  • 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes

Instructions

  1. Sauté the Vegetables: Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the diced onion, carrots, and celery. Cook for 5 to 7 minutes until the vegetables are softened and fragrant, stirring occasionally.
  2. Add Garlic and Spices: Stir in the minced garlic, dried thyme, cumin, and smoked paprika. Cook for 1 minute until the spices are fragrant, ensuring they don’t burn by stirring continuously.
  3. Add Lentils, Tomatoes, and Broth: Pour in the rinsed lentils, canned diced tomatoes with their juice, and vegetable broth. Stir well to combine all ingredients evenly.
  4. Simmer: Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Let it simmer uncovered for 25 to 30 minutes, until the lentils are tender and the soup has thickened naturally from the starch.
  5. Add Kale and Season: Stir in the chopped kale and cook for an additional 5 minutes until the kale is wilted but still bright and slightly chewy. Season the soup with salt, black pepper, and lemon juice to brighten the flavors.
  6. Serve: Ladle the soup into bowls and serve warm. Complement with crusty bread or a simple salad for a complete meal.

Notes

  • Rinse lentils thoroughly to avoid grit in the soup.
  • Add kale at the very end to maintain its texture and vibrancy.
  • Adjust seasoning as lentils absorb flavors during cooking.
  • Maintain a simmer rather than a boil to prevent lentils from splitting and becoming mushy.
  • This soup freezes well; cool completely before transferring to airtight containers.
  • Chopping all vegetables before starting streamlines the cooking process.

Keywords: lentil soup, kale soup, vegetarian soup, healthy soup, one-pot meal, easy dinner, plant-based soup

Find it online: https://tastybynova.com/lentil-kale-soup-recipe/