Description

This vibrant Lemony Lentil Soup combines tender red lentils, sweet corn, and aromatic spices with fresh lemon zest and juice for a comforting and flavorful meal. Perfect for any season, this recipe offers versatile cooking methods including stovetop, Instant Pot, or slow cooker, making it easy to prepare according to your preferences and schedule.

Ingredients

Vegetables & Aromatics

1 medium white onion, peeled and diced
2 medium carrots, diced
5 cloves garlic, peeled and minced

Liquids & Staples

1 tablespoon olive oil
6 cups vegetable stock (or chicken stock)

Legumes & Grains

1 1/2 cups red lentils, rinsed and picked over
2/3 cup whole-kernel corn

Spices & Seasonings

2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 teaspoon curry powder
Pinch of saffron (optional)
Pinch of cayenne (optional)
Fine sea salt, to taste
Freshly-cracked black pepper, to taste

Citrus

Zest and juice of 1 small lemon

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Instructions

Sauté the veggies: Heat the olive oil in a large stockpot over medium-high heat. Add the diced onion and carrots, sautéing for about 5 minutes until the onions become soft and translucent. Add the minced garlic and continue to sauté for another minute until fragrant.
Simmer the soup: Stir in the vegetable stock, rinsed red lentils, corn, ground cumin, curry powder, and the optional saffron and cayenne if using. Bring the mixture to a simmer, then cover and cook for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the lentils are tender.
Blend (optional): Use a hand blender or a traditional blender to puree the soup to your desired consistency. If using a traditional blender, blend in batches, keeping the lid slightly open or covered with a kitchen towel to release steam safely. Return the blended soup to the pot.
Season: Stir in the lemon zest and lemon juice. Taste the soup and season with generous pinches of fine sea salt and freshly cracked black pepper as needed.
Serve: Ladle the warm soup into bowls and garnish with an extra fresh lemon slice if desired. Enjoy your comforting and zesty lentil soup!

Notes

If using a traditional blender for puréeing hot soup, blend in small batches and keep the lid slightly open or covered with a kitchen towel to allow steam to escape safely and prevent spills.
Sautéing the onions, carrots, and garlic prior to cooking enhances the flavor, but you can skip this step and add all ingredients directly to the cooking pot or slow cooker for convenience.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Category: Soup
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: Mediterranean