Recipe for French Lentil Soup that you can make in under 45 minutes with tips, tricks, variations, and freezing instructions all in one blog post. If you are looking for a heart-healthy way to feed your family, this gluten-free and vegan French Lentil Soup will do the job perfectly.
1/4cupfresh Italian parsleychopped - plus more as garnish
Instructions
Heat olive oil in a large heavy bottom pot over medium heat. Add onions, carrots, and celery and cook until they are softened, 10-12 minutes.
Stir in the tomato paste and cook for a minute.
Add garlic and cook for 1 more minute.
Stir in the tomatoes, bay leaf, and thyme. Cook until fragrant, 1-2 minutes.
Add French lentils, salt and pepper. Give it a big stir to make sure that everything is mixed evenly.
Pour in the vegetable stock, turn the heat up to medium-high, put the lid on and bring it to a boil. Once boiled, turn down the heat to low and let it simmer for 25-30 minutes.
Right before serving, take out the bay leaf and stir in the balsamic vinegar and chopped parsley.
Pour the soup in individual bowls and garnish it with more parsley.
Video
Notes
Yields: This lentil soup recipe makes about 7-8 cups of soup and is ideal for serving 6 people. The nutritional values you see below are per serving.
Green lentils: I made this recipe with French green lentils (aka du puy lentils). Compared to other types of lentils, they do a better job of keeping their shape and can stand longer simmering times. With that being said, you can make this recipe with regular green lentils and brown lentils. The texture of the soup could be a little bit mushy but it will still be good.
Storage: Bring the leftovers to room temperature, pour them into an airtight container, and store them in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
Freezing: Bring your soup to room temperature and transfer it to an airtight container. Then, store it in the freezer for up to three months, thawing it in the fridge overnight when ready to eat.
Reheat: Reheat it on the stovetop or in the microwave for 30-second increments until warm.