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Instant Pot Lentil Soup

Instant Pot Lentil Soup
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Instant Pot Lentil Soup is a hearty, nutritious, and flavor-packed soup made with tender brown or green lentils, fresh vegetables, and a blend of warming spices. Ready in under an hour, this one-pot meal delivers comfort and nourishment with minimal effort and cleanup, making it perfect for busy weeknights or anytime you want a wholesome, satisfying bowl of soup.

Ingredients

Scale

Lentils and Vegetables

  • 1 cup brown or green lentils, rinsed
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 medium carrots, chopped
  • 2 stalks celery, chopped
  • 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes

Liquids and Seasonings

  • 4 cups vegetable broth
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil

Finishing Touches

  • Fresh parsley or cilantro, chopped (for garnish)
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Sauté the Aromatics: Turn your Instant Pot to the sauté setting and heat olive oil. Add chopped onions, carrots, celery, and minced garlic. Cook while stirring until the vegetables soften and release their enticing aroma, about 5 minutes.
  2. Add Spices and Tomatoes: Sprinkle in ground cumin, smoked paprika, and bay leaves. Stir well to coat the sautéed veggies with spices. Pour in diced tomatoes and mix everything to combine the layers of flavor.
  3. Add Lentils and Broth: Rinse lentils thoroughly under cold water, then add them to the pot along with the vegetable broth. Give everything a good stir to distribute ingredients evenly.
  4. Pressure Cook the Soup: Seal the Instant Pot lid and set it to cook on high pressure for 15 minutes. Once the timer goes off, allow a natural pressure release for 10 minutes before carefully venting any remaining steam.
  5. Final Touches: Open the lid, remove bay leaves, and taste the soup to adjust salt and pepper as needed. Stir in fresh herbs like parsley or cilantro for a bright, fresh finish right before serving.

Notes

  • Rinse lentils well to remove dust and reduce foaming during pressure cooking.
  • Use fresh carrots and celery for the best flavor and texture.
  • Don’t skip sautéing vegetables as it builds a richer base for the soup.
  • Let the soup rest a few minutes after cooking to allow flavors to meld.
  • Adjust broth quantity for desired thickness; less for thicker soup, more for brothier consistency.

Nutrition

Keywords: Instant Pot, Lentil Soup, Healthy Soup, Vegan Soup, Vegetarian, Gluten Free, One Pot Meal

Find it online: https://marygourmet.com/instant-pot-lentil-soup/