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French Lentil Soup

Hearty French Lentil Soup

This hearty French lentil soup is a comforting one-pot meal packed with healthy vegetables and earthy lentils. It’s seasoned with fresh herbs and a splash of bright lemon juice, making it a simple, flavorful, and satisfying dish for any day of the week.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings: 4
Course: Soup
Cuisine: French
Calories: 250
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 large onion (diced)
  • 2 medium carrots (diced)
  • 2 celery stalks (diced)
  • 3 cloves garlic (minced)
  • 1 medium russet potato (diced)
  • 1 cup French green lentils (Puy lentils, rinsed)
  • 6 cups vegetable broth
  • 2 sprigs fresh rosemary
  • 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • Salt and black pepper to taste

Method
 

  1. Sauté Vegetables: Heat the olive oil in a large over medium heat. Add the onion, carrots, and celery, and cook for 5-7 minutes until softened.
  2. Add Aromatics: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for one more minute until fragrant. Then, add the diced potato and stir everything together.
  3. Combine and Simmer: Add the rinsed lentils, vegetable broth, rosemary sprigs, and thyme. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat, cover, and simmer.
  4. Cook Until Tender: Let the soup simmer for 25-30 minutes, or until the lentils and potatoes are tender. Make sure not to overcook the lentils.
  5. Finish and Serve: Remove the rosemary sprigs from the pot. Stir in the fresh lemon juice and season with salt and pepper. Serve hot and enjoy!

Notes

  • Rinsing the lentils before cooking helps remove any dirt or debris.
  • For the best flavor, use fresh herbs like rosemary and thyme.
  • A final squeeze of fresh lemon juice brightens up the soup.
  • Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
  • This soup freezes beautifully for up to 3 months.