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Cozy Creamy French Lentil Soup: Easy 30-Minute Recipe

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A quick and easy creamy French lentil soup made in 30 minutes with simple ingredients. This cozy, dairy-free soup is perfect for weeknights and meal prep, with a velvety texture and bright lemon finish.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup (200g) French green lentils, rinsed and picked over
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced
  • 2 medium carrots, peeled and diced
  • 2 celery stalks, diced
  • 4 garlic cloves, minced
  • 4 cups (950 ml) low-sodium vegetable broth
  • 1 can (13.5 oz / 400 ml) full-fat coconut milk
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 bay leaf
  • ½ teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • Optional garnish: fresh parsley or cilantro, olive oil drizzle, red pepper flakes

Instructions

  1. Heat olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add diced onion, carrots, and celery. Cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 4-5 minutes.
  2. Stir in minced garlic, dried thyme, smoked paprika, and a pinch of black pepper. Cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  3. Add rinsed lentils, vegetable broth, and bay leaf. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a gentle simmer. Cover with lid slightly ajar and cook for 20 minutes, until lentils are tender but still hold their shape.
  4. Remove bay leaf and discard. Stir in full can of coconut milk and fresh lemon juice. Let return to a gentle simmer. Season with salt to taste (start with 1 teaspoon).
  5. Using an immersion blender, pulse the soup 5-7 times to partially blend, leaving some whole lentils and vegetables for texture. Alternatively, carefully transfer half the soup to a blender, blend until smooth, and return to pot.
  6. Stir well, adjust seasoning with salt, pepper, or more lemon juice. Ladle into bowls and garnish with fresh parsley, a drizzle of olive oil, and red pepper flakes if desired. Serve hot.

Notes

For best texture, do not over-blend; leave some whole lentils. Season in layers for depth. Let soup rest 10 minutes before serving for flavors to meld. Leftovers keep up to 5 days in fridge or 3 months in freezer. Add a splash of broth when reheating if too thick.

Nutrition

Keywords: French lentil soup, creamy lentil soup, vegan lentil soup, 30-minute soup, easy lentil soup, dairy-free soup, gluten-free soup

Find it online: https://chloeplate.com/cozy-creamy-french-lentil-soup-easy-30-minute-recipe/