Quickest Lentil Soup Ever

It looks like an exotic feast, but it was one of the quickest and easiest soups I ever made. Nourishing, delicious, and filling, you'll love this plant-based, oil-free, gluten-free, easy soup recipe. 

I created this recipe one night when I was hungry, and I had nothing prepared in the refrigerator for dinner except some plain rice. I looked around the kitchen to see what I could use to make soup and it turned out to be my quickest and easiest- no prep- soup recipe ever. 

I love it because it is healthy, delicious, oil-free, and filling. 

I realized that I had a jar of chunky organic salsa in the house which contains organic chopped onions, tomatoes, cilantro, spices, peppers, etc. - perfect ingredients for any soup.

Using the salsa, I made this 4 ingredient amazing soup which requires NO PREP, chopping, or cleaning veggies- only assembling. 

I used:

• 1 16 ounce jars of organic chunky salsa from Aldi that has organic -onions, peppers, tomatoes, garlic, cilantro, tomato juice, etc. (or any jarred chunky salsa of your choice)
• 2 cup of lentils, washed (red, brown, or green)
• 2 cups of any tasty vegetable broth
• 2 empty salsa jars-full of water

I put everything into my 6 quart Instant Pot and set it to pressure cook for 9 minutes. When it was done, I let it sit for 10 minutes before manually releasing the steam. 

Season To Taste

When the soup is done, taste it and then add any seasonings you wish such as chopped cilantro, cumin, garlic powder, ground coriander or paprika. Truthfully I don't think it needs any additional seasoning- but that's up to you. The soup will taste great without any of the extra seasonings too. We sometimes like to add cumin powder.

I like to serve it on a pretty copper tray to make it somewhat exotic.

This quick and easy soup really hit the spot. For a more filling experience, you could add cooked rice to each bowl - I did. 

 

It was very filling and of course red, brown, or green lentils are full of healthy fiber, antioxidants, and nutrients.

Spices Add More Than Flavor 

Did you know that spices are little powerhouses full of antioxidants and nutrients and many have anti-inflammatory properties as well. It is so healthy to add a variety of spices to your food for more than just flavor. 

This easy recipe is perfect for vegans, vegetarians, those who are gluten-free, dairy-free, kosher or just want to include more health giving plant-based meatless meals to their diet.

If time and effort is not an issue, you could add 2 sliced carrots and or 2 diced potatoes to the soup prior to cooking, you just might want to add another cup of water because of the extra veggies. 

Cost of this Frugal Healthy Meal

Just for fun, I decided to add see how much this meal (which could serve 5 or even 6) cost.

Grocery List 

Aldi Organic Chunky Salsa- $1.35

Red Lentils-$ .75 or less  

2 cups commercial organic vegetable broth $1.00 or less

2 cups of cooked rice divided and added to soup bowls $.50 or less 

Total: $3.60 or less for the entire recipe  - WOWIE serves 4-5 people

Plant-based eating can be easy, frugal, nourishing, filling, and delicious. 

Love Soup? 

Check out how to my new soups cookbook

Easy Plant-Based Soups From Farm To Ladle

Over 80 easy healthy recipes plus 80 inspirational quotes to motivate and inspire healthy eating and living. Makes a beautiful gift.

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My Notes: 

1. All my recipes posted on this blog have always been gluten free and vegetarian. As of February 2021 all my recipes are still gluten free but now they are also whole food plant-based vegan and oil-free.

2. Did you see the documentary Forks Over Knives?

The documentary will help you understand WHY plant-based eating helps people feel better, reduce or eliminate symptoms of diabetes, heart disease, obesity, high blood pressure etc. It's available to rent at a very low cost online or go to the Forks Over Knives website to  success stories to read about real people who had lots of medical issues were able to reduce or eliminate symptoms.

This wonderful soup with rice and a salad is an example of a plant-based dinner.