Vegan Easy Lemon Lentil Soup

The Vegan Easy Lemon Lentil Soup is a tasty and comforting meal. This dish contains 8 grams of fiber and 300 calories per serving. Takes 35 minutes to prepare this soup and serve it at lunches, events, or feasts. We made this dish with olive oil, onion, carrots, celery, garlic, seasoning, lentils, vegetable broth, lemon, spinach, and feta cheese. Pair this dish with vegan feta, roasted sweet potatoes, lemon herb zucchini, grilled vegetables, lemon wedges, or whole-wheat pita. Store this Vegan Easy Lemon Lentil Soup for four days in the refrigerator.

STATS:

• Serving size: 1½ cups
• Cooking time: 25 minutes
• Course: Main
• Total time: 35 minutes
• Serving: 6
• Calories: 300 kcal
• Preparation time: 10 minutes
• Cuisine: Mediterranean
• Diet: Vegan

EQUIPMENT:

• Large soup pot
• Measuring spoons
• Wooden spoon
• Chef’s knife
• Ladle
• Cutting board
• Grater
• Citrus zester
• Measuring cups

INGREDIENTS:

• One chopped yellow onion
• 2 sliced  carrots
• Half a lemon, zest and juice
• 2 ribs diced celery
• 4 minced garlic cloves
• ¾ tsp salt
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• Half tsp ground turmeric
• 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 2 cans brown lentils
• Quarter tsp black pepper
• 4 cups low-sodium vegetable broth
• Half cup crumbled vegan feta cheese
• 4 cups spinach

INGREDIENT NOTES:

EXTRA VIRGIN OLIVE OIL:

• It cooks the vegetables well and gives a fruity taste to the soup. Using a small amount of olive oil gives better taste to the onion, carrot, garlic, and celery. Utilize avocado oil as a replacement.

CANNED LENTILS:

• They make the soup hearty and filling. Lentils hold their shape well and give better results in the soup. You may use chickpeas as another choice.

LOW-SODIUM VEGETABLE BROTH:

• We use this broth to make the liquid base of the soup. Vegetable broth gives more taste to the soup than plain water. You may use low-sodium vegetable stock as an alternative.

VEGAN FETA:

• This feta adds a creamy and tangy taste to the dish. It pairs nicely with the bright lemon broth. You may use unsweetened vegan yogurt as a substitute.

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. First, Include the olive oil in the pot and warm it on medium flame.
2. Slice the carrots into thin discs, then dice the celery and onion.
3. Cook these chopped ingredients for 5 minutes, then add garlic, cumin, turmeric, and oregano.
4. Stir them for one minute and rinse the drained lentils properly.
5. Add lentils, vegetable broth, salt, and black pepper to the pot and simmer the soup gently.
6. Cook the soup uncovered for 15 minutes, then add 4 cups spinach and gently stir for 2 minutes.
7. Turn off the flame then mix lemon zest and lemon juice in the soup.
8. Lastly, taste the soup and ladle it into the bowls, then top with vegan feta.

SERVING SUGGESTIONS:

BREAD:

• Whole-Grain Crusty Bread
• Garlic Bread
• Whole-Wheat Pita
• Sourdough Bread
• Toasted Baguette

SALADS:

• Greek-Style Chickpea Salad
• Cucumber Tomato Salad
• Mediterranean Quinoa Salad
• Lemon Herb Green Salad
• Simple Arugula Salad

VEGETABLE SIDES:

• Roasted Sweet Potatoes
• Garlic Roasted Potatoes
• Roasted Cauliflower
• Lemon Herb Zucchini
• Grilled Vegetables

TOPPINGS:

• Vegan Feta
• Fresh Parsley
• Fresh Dill
• Lemon Wedges
• Toasted Pumpkin Seeds

TIPS:

• Rinse the lentils properly to remove extra liquid so the soup gets a cleaner taste.
• Avoid boiling the soup so the vegetables and lentils do not become mushy.
• Including the lemon in the end makes the soup taste fresh and brighter.
• Blend some of the soup to make the texture thicker and creamier.

STORAGE INFORMATION:

FRIDGE:

• Store the soup in the container for 4 days.

FREEZER:

• To get the best texture, freeze the soup without vegan feta for 90 days.

FAQs:

Can I include dried lentils in this recipe?

• Yes, separately cook the dried lentils then add them in the soup.

Is frozen spinach good to include in this meal?

• Yes, you may drain the frozen spinach properly, then add it to the meal for better results.

How to make the soup thicker?

• You may blend some portion of the soup with a blender and stir it back into the pot to make the dish thicker.

Can I exclude feta from this recipe?

• Yes, you may skip feta as the taste will still be delicious even without it.

How can I make the soup spicy?

• You may add a pinch of red pepper flakes, cayenne pepper, or chili powder to make the meal spicy.

NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION:

Calories: 300 kcal

Net carbs: 26 g

Iron: 5 mg

Total carbs: 34 g

Vitamin A: 9,500 IU

Fiber: 8 g

Calcium: 150 mg

Protein: 15 g

Sodium: 650 mg

Potassium: 800 mg