Lentil Kale Soup

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This hearty lentil kale soup is a must-make for soup season! Packed with plant-based protein and fresh kale, it makes a warming, nourishing soup that is full of flavor and texture.

Top view of a white bowl full of lentil kale soup.

If you’ve been hanging out with me for a while, then you know how much I love the cheap, versatile lentils! They’re high in fiber, and most importantly, protein.

They make a sensational healthy meal that is full of nutrients and on a budget too.

And this lentil kale soup, packed with texture and fresh veggies, is a new staple in our cold weather recipe rotation.

Garlic, herbs, and the subtle sweetness of vegetables seasoned with a touch of mustard create a complex, savory flavor.

It’s hearty enough to be eaten as dinner, and easy to put it together on a weeknight – most of the cooking time is entirely hands-off.

Serve it with crispy panini rolls or warm focaccia, and you have leftover soup, it tastes even better on the second day and it freezes perfectly, too.

If you’re looking for a new soup recipe to add to your cold weather rotation, look no further.

List of the ingredients

The ingredients to make this lentil kale soup are arranged over a white background.

How to make lentil kale soup

(Note: this is a quick description, the full recipe is at the bottom of the page)

  • Sauté onion, carrot, celery in olive oil for 5 minutes.
  • Stir in garlic and spices and cook until fragrant.
  • Add lentils, potatoes, herbs, mustard, broth and cook for 25 minutes.
  • Toss in the kale, seasoning, and cook until tender.
Close-up of a cup full of brown lentil and a glass bowl full with kale over a white background.

Recipe notes

The ingredients needed to make this lentil kale soup are simple and most are probably sitting in your kitchen already. Here’s what you’ll need:

Lentils: I used brown lentils, but green lentils are totally fine. Make sure to rinse them in a colander to remove any debris and, in some case, tiny stones.

Kale: I use curly kale, probably the most common type of kale you will see at your local market, but lacinato kale works just fine as well. Make sure you remove the steams and chop the the leaves. Not a big fan of kale? Check out the substitutions in the recipe card.

Veggies: the recipe starts with the most convenient and less perishable onion, carrot, celery, and garlic to create an essential flavor base. It also uses potatoes, another inexpensive staple, to give more body and texture.

Spices: I use some chili flakes for a touch of heat, and coriander.

Herbs: convenient dried rosemary and Italian seasoning give plenty of aromatic flavor.

Mustard: it’s a flavor booster, but make sure it’s Dijon mustard which has a milder flavour than English mustard.

Extra virgin olive oil: essential to sauté the veggies in olive oil, but also great for a final drizzling before serving – it adds extra flavor!

Salt & pepper: make sure to adjust the seasoning at the end of cooking.

Top view of a spoon full of lentil kale soup over a bowl full of soup.

Lentil kale soup leftovers

They keep well in the fridge for about 3-4 days, and freeze very well too. 
I suggest dividing the soup into single portions, cooling completely, then transferring to the freezer. I use this type of glass containers, they’re great and they don’t get stained with use.

More lentil soups for you!

You’ve got to the right place! Here are two helpful collections of 25+ lentil recipes and 25+ green lentil recipes perfect to inspire you when you have a bag of lentils to use up!

Below a few of our fav family staples:

If you make this spicy lentil soup or if you have any questions, let me know! Leave a comment, send me a message, or rate it.
I would love to hear from you!

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Lentil Kale Soup

This hearty lentil kale soup is a new staple in our cold weather recipe rotation. Packed with plant-based protein and fresh kale, it's warming, nourishing, a must-make for soup season!
Recipe yields 1 ¼ cup per serving.
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time30 minutes
Course: Soup
Cuisine: vegan
Keyword: Lentil Kale Soup
Servings: 4
Calories: 301kcal
Author: Katia

Ingredients

  • 1 Tablespoon Extra virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling
  • 1 small onion, diced
  • 2 large garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 carrot, peeled and diced
  • 1 celery stick, diced
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • ½ teaspoon rosemary
  • ¼ teaspoon coriander
  • teaspoon chili flakes (optional)
  • 1 cup brown or green lentils, picked over and rinsed
  • ½ lb potatoes, peeled and diced
  • ½ tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 6 cups low sodium vegetable broth
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 ¼ teaspoon fine salt, plus more to taste
  • teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper, to taste
  • 5 cups (approx 130 grams) curvy kale (or lacinato kale), center rib removed and shredded

Instructions

  • In a large ceramic or cast iron pot, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium heat. Add the onions, carrot, celery and sautee for 5 minutes.
  • Add the garlic, coriander, chili flakes (red pepper flakes), and cook for 40-60 seconds, until fragrant.
  • Add the lentils, potatoes, mustard, herbs, and 1 bay leaf. Pour in the vegetable broth, bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer, cover, and cook stirring occasionally until the lentils are tender (about 25 minutes, but check the package directions for the exact cooking time).
  • Optional step for a thicker texture: when the the lentils are done, and you add the kale, transfer 1 cup of the soup to a stand blender and blend until thick and smooth (careful, it's still hot!). Then return this pureed soup back to the pot and stir to incorporate.
  • Add the kale, salt, several grinds of black pepper and simmer for 3-5 minutes, or until the kale is tender but still bright green.
  • Taste and make sure you're happy with the seasoning, turn the heat off and serve with crispy bread and a final drizzle of extra virgin olive oil. Enjoy!

Notes

Storage: leftovers keep well in the fridge for about 3-4 days, and freeze very well too. 
I suggest dividing the soup into single portions, cooling completely, then transferring to the freezer. 
What to use instead of kale? If you’re not a fan of kale, you can use arugula or tender spinach instead. Just toss the spinach in the soup at the very end and stir until wilted. You could also use frozen spinach, I suggest thawing and squeezing out the extra moisture first. 
Salt: start with amount of salt stated in the recipe, and then adjust the seasoning at the end if needed. But if you use chicken, beef or regular vegetable broth rather than low-sodium broth, it’s important to add the salt at the end and not at the beginning, as you don’t know how salty the broth is.  
Nutrition facts: the nutrition values are for one serving and they are based on an online nutrition calculator (and the final drizzle of olive oil is not included). It’s an estimate only and it should not be considered as a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice. Please see my disclosure policies.

Nutrition

Calories: 301kcal | Carbohydrates: 50g | Protein: 17g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Sodium: 791mg | Potassium: 941mg | Fiber: 20g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 5872IU | Vitamin C: 47mg | Calcium: 144mg | Iron: 5mg

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