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3-Ingredient Lentil Soup {Vegan, High Protein}

Hearty, high-protein (13 grams), 3-ingredient lentil soup! It is fast, easy & frugal, and also naturally vegan, oil-free, and gluten-free.
overhead shot of 3-ingredient lentil soup in a pottery bowl atop a blue napkin

Simple & Perfect 3-Ingredient Lentil Soup

As much as I enjoy cooking, I definitely have nights when I simply want  to eat dinner. A meal made with maximum ease, minimal fuss, and ingredients from the pantry is what I need. And while the weather is still chilly, something warm, cozy, and delicious is what I crave.

If you feel the same way, I have a solution for all of us:  my super-simple 3-Ingredent Lentil Soup.

What are the Ingredients for 3-Ingredient Lentil Soup?

The three ingredients in question?

  1. Regular brown lentils (the most common variety, available in supermarkets)
  2. A large onion
  3. Rosemary

I used fresh rosemary, since it grows year-round in our backyard, but dried rosemary (or Italian herb seasoning, or basil, or thyme) works, too.

the 3 ingredients for lentil soup on a piece of brown parchment paper.

Will this Soup Work with Any Variety of Lentils?

Do you have green, black or red lentils? No problem, any variety of lentils will work, so use what you have. And in case, by chance, you have some dried Mung beans…they work too! Like lentils, they cook quickly and do not need any pre-soaking.

How to Make 3-Ingredient Lentil Soup

Begin by chopping the onion. In a large saucepan, bring 1/3 cup water to a boil. Add the onion. Cook and stir on medium-high until the onion is soft, the water evaporates, and the onion caramelizes to a deep golden brown.

overhead shot of sautéed onions in a skillet

Add the rosemary (or one of the alternatives mentioned above) to the onions during the last 30-60 seconds of cooking. Cook and stir to release the oils. Add the salt and pepper, too. I provide specifics for the amounts, but you can adjust these to suit your preferences/needs.

The home stretch is near! Add the lentils and water. Bring the soup (covered) to a simmer over medium-high heat for about 15 minutes. Reduce heat to low and cook, still covered, for about 15 to 20 minutes longer, or until the lentils are falling apart and the soup is thickened.

Dinner: done!

close-up of 3-ingredient lentil soup with chopped rosemary on top

If you like, use an immersion blender to further break down the lentils (and onions). I prefer some texture, so giving the soup a vigorous stir at the end is just right to me.

Like my 3-ingredient tomato soup from a few weeks ago, this bowlful of goodness needs little else in accompaniment. Consider rounding up some stray lettuces and greens from the refrigerator, for a simple salad, and toast leftover bread (call it crostini :)) for dunking.

Happy eating and (minimalist) cooking, everyone!

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3-Ingredient Lentil Soup (vegan, high protein)

3-Ingredient Lentil Soup (vegan, high protein)

Yield: 4 servings
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes

Hearty, high-protein (13 g), lentil and rosemary soup, made with only 3 ingredients! Fast, easy and frugal, it is also naturally vegan, oil-free, and gluten-free.

Ingredients

  • 1 large onion, chopped
  • 2 and 1/2 teaspoons minced fresh rosemary leaves (see notes for options)
  • 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt (or to taste)
  • Optional: 1/4 teaspoon cracked black pepper
  • 1 and 1/4 cups (225 g) brown lentils
  • 6 cups (1.5 L) water

Instructions

  1. In a large saucepan, heat 1/3 cup water over medium high heat. Add the onions; reduce heat to medium-high and cook, stirring, for 8 to 10 minutes until water is evaporated and onions are a deep golden brown.
  2. Add the rosemary, salt and pepper; cook and stir for 30 to 60 seconds until very fragrant.
  3. Add the lentils and water to pan. Cover and bring to a simmer. Simmer for 20 minutes.
  4. Reduce heat to low and continue simmering, covered, until the lentils and vegetables are soft, about 15 to 20 minutes longer. Give the soup some vigorous stirring during the final minutes of cooking (to help break up lentils).
  5. Taste and season with more salt or pepper as needed. If you prefer a creamier texture, use an immersion blender to partially purée the soup.

Notes

Storage: Store the completely cooled soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or the freezer for up to 6 months.

Herb Options: 1-1/4 teaspoons of dried, crumbled rosemary or Italian herb seasoning, or 1 teaspoon dried thyme leaves, can be used in place of the fresh rosemary

Nutrition Information
Serving Size 1-1/2 cups
Amount Per Serving Calories 223Total Fat 0.1gSaturated Fat 0gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 0gCholesterol 0mgSodium 293mgCarbohydrates 30.5gFiber 15gSugar 5gProtein 13.2g

Did you make this recipe?

Tag @powerhungrycamilla on Instagram and hashtag it #powerhungrycamilla

 

 

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Diane

Thursday 15th of December 2022

This is great. I made it last night with red lentils and was pleasantly surprised at how flavorful it was. I don't like onion so I used 1 stalk of celery and several baby carrots all sliced pretty small along with fresh chopped rosemary. Like you, I'm lucky to have that growing year-round. The lentils were pretty tiny and broke down in cooking so they weren't formed as they are in your picture. It's not a bad thing, it's just a thing. The color of the soup ended up being golden.

Anyway, my hubby and I both really enjoyed it and I'll definitely be making this one again.

Thanks so much Camilla for making our lives better with yummy food!

Jane

Saturday 22nd of January 2022

I just made this and it was very easy to make and tasted great. I also added a cup of kidney beans right after adding the lentils and water for some extra protein.

Camilla

Sunday 23rd of January 2022

That sounds great, Jane!

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