Lentil Soup

Serves 6

French green lentils with fire-roasted tomatoes. Hearty, deeply flavored, and thick.

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 medium yellow onion, small diced
  • 4 medium carrots, diced
  • 3 stalks celery, diced
  • 4 sprigs fresh thyme
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • ¾ teaspoon smoked paprika
  • ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1½ cups French green lentils
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced (about 4 teaspoons)
  • 1 can fire-roasted diced tomatoes (15 ounces)
  • 1 can crushed tomatoes (15 ounces)
  • 4 cups low-sodium vegetable broth
  • Chopped fresh parsley, for serving
  • Freshly grated Parmesan cheese, optional for serving

Instructions

  1. Sauté. Set Instant Pot to Sauté (Normal). Add olive oil, then onion, carrots, and celery. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion is translucent and vegetables are softened, about 8–10 minutes.

  2. Add spices. Add smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Stir to coat the vegetables in the spices, about 1 minute.

  3. Add lentils and aromatics. Add lentils and garlic, stirring to coat in the spices. Cook 30 seconds until the garlic is fragrant. Add both cans of tomatoes and the vegetable broth. Nestle the thyme sprigs into the liquid.

  4. Pressure cook. Lock the lid, set valve to Sealing. Pressure Cook (Manual) on High for 15 minutes.

  5. Natural release. Allow the cooker to release pressure naturally — about 10–15 minutes. Do not quick release.

  6. Finish. Open the lid and stir. Remove the thyme stems (the leaves will have fallen into the soup). If the soup is too thick, thin with a splash of water or additional broth. Taste and adjust salt and pepper. Serve topped with fresh parsley and Parmesan if desired.

Notes

  • French green lentils (Puy lentils) hold their shape better than red lentils and give more texture. Don’t substitute without adjusting cook time.
  • The double-tomato base (fire-roasted diced + crushed) is what makes this rich — don’t skip either.
  • Skip Parmesan to keep it vegan.
  • Smoked paprika is optional — the soup is excellent without it.
  • Freezes well. Cool quickly and freeze same day in single portions. Add a splash of broth when reheating.