This COZY Red Lentil Soup, known as sopa de lentejas rojas, is what heartwarming and delicious food is all about. We’re talking a ton of great flavors, the simplest ingredients and done in just 30 minutes using one pan. Serve it next to a crunchy baguette and a bottle of Spanish red wine for a complete meal.
To make this recipe, I used dried red lentils. You can also use green or brown lentils. However, red lentils cook much faster and give the soup a slightly creamy texture. Either way, when you’re working with lentils, you don’t have to soak them overnight. Just a quick rinse under water and they’re ready to cook.
For the liquid, I used homemade vegetable broth. But chicken broth, beef broth or even water can be used. As for the vegetables, I used a combination of onion, garlic, carrots and tomatoes. You can mix it up and use whatever vegetables you like here.
TIPS & TRICKS to Make this Recipe: Important to season the soup once the lentils are fully cooked. If you season beforehand, it can take the lentils a longer time to cook and will end up with a tough texture. It took me 10 minutes to cook the red lentils. Make sure to check the package instructions to ensure proper cooking times.
Key Ingredients & Cookware I used in this Recipe:
MY COOKWARE
MY CHEF´S KNIFE
EXTRA VIRGIN SPANISH OLIVE OIL
SWEET SMOKED SPANISH PAPRIKA
VEGETABLE BROTH
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Watch the Video Below on How to Make this COZY Red Lentil Soup
COZY Red Lentil Soup
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil 30 ml
- 1 small onion
- 4 cloves garlic
- 2 carrots
- 2 tomatoes
- 1 tbsp sherry vinegar 15 ml
- 1 tsp sweet smoked Spanish paprika 2.50 grams
- 1/2 tsp ground cumin 1.50 grams
- 1 cup dried red lentils 140 grams
- 5 cups vegetable broth 1200 ml
- 1 bay leaf
- pinch sea salt
- dash black pepper
- fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
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Finely chop the onion, roughly chop the garlic, cut the carrots (peeled) into small bite-size pieces, finely grate the tomatoes and add the red lentils into a fine sieve and rinse under water
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Heat a stock pot with a medium heat and add in the olive oil
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After a couple of minutes add in the chopped onion, garlic and carrots, mix continuously, after 3 to 4 minutes and the vegetables are lightly sauteed, add in the sherry vinegar, paprika and cumin, give it a quick mix, then add in the grated tomato, give it a mix and then simmer without mixing
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Once the grated tomato has slightly thickened, about 3 minutes, add in the red lentils, broth and bay leaf, turn it up to a high heat and give it a mix, once it comes to a boil, place a lid on the stock pot and lower to a low heat
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Once the red lentils are just cooked through (check package cooking times, mine was 10 minutes), season the soup with sea salt & black pepper, give it one final mix and then remove from the heat
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Transfer into bowls and garnish with fresh parsley, enjoy!
Recipe Notes
Get the Spanish Paprika I used to make this Recipe (25% OFF Your Order when you Purchase through this Link)
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Christine
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve made this! Always a winner.
I make double batches and freeze in one cup portion.
06 . Sep . 2024Spain on a Fork
Happy to hear that! Thanks for the comment 🙂 Much love
09 . Sep . 2024Cyrus
22 . Jan . 2024I’m newly vegan and love your recipes. Everything I’ve made has come out spectacular. The only problem I have is the country where I live does not have vegetable stock or even vegetable bullion for sale, so I have to make my own. (I use your recipe.) The time it takes to make the stock is like making a whole meal – just use all of that meal to make another meal. I wish I could find a better way.
Spain on a Fork
Sorry to hear that, just to try to make bigger batches of the broth and freeze for future recipes 🙂 Much love
23 . Jan . 2024Roger Wyatt
17 . Jan . 2024I just made this soup last night (with your homemade veggie broth, no less). It was amazing! Definitely adding this to my repertoire of soup recipes!
Spain on a Fork
So happy to hear that! Thanks for the comment 🙂 Much love
19 . Jan . 2024Dee
13 . Jan . 2024Looks delicious & easy to make. Will make this soup tomorrow. Have all ingredients. Cold & getting colder here in U.K. Your recipes are so good. Thanks for your enthusiasm! ☺
Spain on a Fork
Sounds great! Thanks for the comment 🙂 Much love
13 . Jan . 2024Ramya
Cant wait to make this soon for me i never had cozy red lentil soup before also it is raining here in Singapore everyday perfect for raining days in Singapore and after ofice meals love your recipes as always brightens up my day everyday after work
12 . Jan . 2024Spain on a Fork
Sounds great Ramya! Much love 🙂
13 . Jan . 2024Marlene
Can this be cooked in a crockpot. I don’t have a large enough stockpot. I am a 90 year old and cook for one.
12 . Jan . 2024Spain on a Fork
Absolutely, though cooking times will vary 🙂 Much love
13 . Jan . 2024