Mexican Lentil Soup

Another soul-warming flavorful lentil soup from my kitchen. This Mexican lentil soup is a flavorful, healthy soup for fall and winter. Also, this soup is perfect for vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free soup loaded with lots of healthy veggies.

I love soups and especially all lentil soups. Soups are comfort foods that not only save time but are also good for health as well. Who won't love these time-savers for the busy weekday dinners!! Even perfect for any occasion or any meal.

Lentils are an excellent source of proteins that will keep you full for longer. So if you are planning for weight loss, try these lentil soups. Also, try my Moroccan lentil soup, lentil taco meat.

Mexican Lentil Soup

This Mexican lentil soup is an easy soup loaded with lots of veggies and lentils. For this lentil soup, the best option is dehusked red lentils (whole brown lentils or green lentils).

This is a one-pot soup recipe. You can either make it on the stovetop or in an instant pot. In an instant pot, you may save some more 10 - 15 minutes as compared to stovetop cooking.

Vegetables along with lentils make this vegan Mexican soup insanely delicious as well as nutritious. This is one of the healthiest vegan soups you can try for lazy dinners on weekdays.

This is a one-pot recipe that is very simple and easy to prepare. You can make the soup in a pot or dutch oven on the stovetop but this takes longer than the pressure cooking method.

I have prepared this in both ways, i.e. on a dutch oven/ pot and in the pressure cooker (manual/electric instant pot). There is a difference in the time of cooking.

Ingredients for Mexican Lentil Soup

This is a simple recipe and doesn't require any fancy items. What you need is lots of vegetables, lentils, vegetable broth, and basic spices.

Vegetables

The regular vegetables used in this soup are red and yellow bell peppers, carrots, green beans, celery stalks, corn, smoked tomatoes along with onions and garlic. If you don't find any of the ingredients that's alright. Add any vegetables you get in your refrigerator.

Lentils

For Mexican lentil soup, we have to take whole brown lentils or green lentils. These are the best lentils in fact for any kind of lentil soup recipe. To make perfect Mexican lentil soup, you should soak the lentils for some time at least so that it will take lesser cooking time and this will also inhibit overcooking of the vegetables.

Spices & Herbs

In this soup, basic spices are used that are available in every pantry. Those are ground cumin, ground coriander, smoked paprika, oregano, salt, and pepper. You can also use fresh herbs like oregano instead of dried ones. Add fresh parsley or cilantro leaves for freshness in the soup.

Vegetable Broth/ Water

Broth adds a nice flavor to the soup. However, if you don't have it in hand you can add water also. If adding broth, check if it has salt in it and add salt as per that. You can also substitute this with vegetable bouillon or broth powder.

How to make Mexican lentil soup?

Step 1: Soaking the lentils

This is the most important part. Rinse the lentils well and soak for 1 hour. Prep all vegetables. If not soaked, lentils may take a longer time as 40 - 45 minutes to cook on the stovetop.

Step 2: Sautéing veggies & lentils

Next heat olive oil in a Dutch oven or soup pan. Saute celery, onion, and garlic. After 2 - 3 minutes, add carrots, bell peppers, and corn. Saute for 1 minute.

Next, add soaked lentils followed by all spices and vegetable broth.

Step 3: Simmer & garnish -

Lastly, simmer for 25 - 30 minutes covering with a lid. Cook till lentils are cooked a little soft.

Once lentils are cooked, garnish with lots of freshly chopped coriander leaves and a dash of lemon juice.

Why this Mexican lentil soup is so great?

• This lentil soup is packed with high protein and high fiber elements.
• Lots of added vegetable makes this soup healthy and nutritious.
• This soup is easy to make and a quick recipe that has less than 30 minutes of cooking time.
• This can be made ahead for the week's meal planning.
• It's nourishing, delicious, and totally plant-based.
• This is an easy one-pot meal and can be made on a stovetop or instant pot or slow cooker.

More vegan soup recipes:

• Cream of mushroom soup
• Mix Veggies Soup
• Moroccan Lentil Soup
• Vegan Minestrone Soup
• Broccoli Mushroom Soup
• Roasted Pepper & Tomato Soup
• Potato Leek Soup

How to store leftover lentil soup?

Leftover lentil soup can be stored in the refrigerator or freezer. In the refrigerator, you can store this for up to 4 - 5 days, if stored in a covered container.

Simply reheat when required. Reheat on the stovetop on low heat till warm or microwave for 30 - 60 seconds stirring after the interval of 30 secs till it's warm enough.

How to freeze Mexican Lentil Soup?

To store the lentil soup in the freezer, firstly make sure the soup is cooled down completely. Then transfer it into a freezer container with a lid. Don't fill the container full, leave 1/2 inch space of container for expansion of the liquids when frozen. You can freeze it for up to 2 months or even more. When you have to use it, thaw before reheating.

What to serve with Mexican Lentil Soup?

Mexican Lentil soup itself can make a whole comfort meal. The high protein lentils along with nutrition-rich vegetables make this a healthy yet filling soup. You can add roasted tortilla chips/ stripes to this soup, add diced avocado, and vegan cream cheese to make this rich and filling.

Recipe - Mexican Lentil Soup

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