Instant Pot Lentil Soup

Instant Pot Lentil Soup is my go-to when I need something warm, hearty, and ready in under 30 minutes! Last Tuesday, Isabella came home from soccer practice absolutely starving, and I threw this together while she changed out of her uniform. Trust me, there’s nothing better than filling your kitchen with the aroma of healthy lentil soup bubbling away in your Instant Pot.

This vegan lentil soup is everything you want in a comforting lentil soup. It’s packed with protein from the lentils, loaded with vegetables, and has just the right amount of seasoning to make every spoonful delicious. Plus, my Instant Pot does all the heavy lifting, so there’s no constant stirring required!

Whether you’re looking for easy vegetable soup recipes or trying to get more plant-based meals into your week, this one’s a winner.

Why You’ll Love This Instant Pot Lentil Soup

• Quick and easy Ready in about 30 minutes from start to finish
• Budget-friendly Simple pantry staples and affordable ingredients
• Naturally vegan and vegetarian-friendly without any modifications
• High in protein and fiber One cup packs 7.2g of protein and 5.2g of fiber
• Meal prep champion Makes 8 servings that freeze beautifully
• One-pot wonder Everything cooks in your Instant Pot, minimal cleanup

Ingredients You’ll Need for Lentil Soup

Here’s what you’ll need to make this Instant Pot lentil soup recipe:

• 1 tablespoon olive oil For sautéing the vegetables and building flavor
• 1 yellow onion, diced Adds sweetness and depth
• 3 large carrots, chopped Brings natural sweetness and texture
• 3 celery stalks, chopped Classic soup base that adds savory notes
• 3 cloves garlic, minced Because garlic makes everything better!
• 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme Earthy and aromatic
• 1/2 teaspoon cumin Adds warmth without being spicy
• 1 bay leaf For that classic soup flavor depth
• 1 15oz can diced tomatoes Adds acidity and richness
• 5 cups vegetable broth The flavorful base (low-sodium works great)
• 1 cup brown or green lentils, rinsed Protein-packed and hearty (red lentils get too mushy)
• 1 cup kale, destemmed and torn into 1″ pieces Added at the end for nutrition and color
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice Brightens everything up!
• Salt and pepper to taste Season to your preference

Substitution Notes: You can swap kale for spinach or Swiss chard. If you don’t have fresh garlic, use 1 teaspoon of garlic powder instead. No cumin? Try a pinch of smoked paprika for a different flavor profile!

How to Make Instant Pot Lentil Soup

Making this healthy lentil soup couldn’t be easier. Here’s how:

Step 1: Sauté the Vegetables

Set your Instant Pot to ‘sauté’ mode and add the olive oil. Once it’s shimmering, toss in the diced onion, chopped celery, and carrots.

Sauté for about 4 minutes, stirring frequently so nothing sticks to the bottom. You want the vegetables to start softening and the onions to turn translucent.

Step 2: Add the Garlic

Add your minced garlic and continue sautéing for another minute. The kitchen will start smelling amazing right about now! Just don’t let the garlic burn because it gets bitter.

Step 3: Add Everything Else

Now toss in the thyme, cumin, bay leaf, diced tomatoes (with their juice!), vegetable broth, and rinsed lentils. Give everything a good stir to combine.

Step 4: Pressure Cook

This is where the Instant Pot magic happens! Cover and seal the Instant Pot. Press cancel to end the sauté function, then press ‘pressure cook’ and set the timer to 20 minutes.

The Instant Pot will take about 10 minutes to come to pressure, then the timer will start counting down. No babysitting required!

Step 5: Quick Release and Finish

Once the cooking time is up, carefully turn the valve to release the steam using the quick-release method. Watch out for that hot steam!

Remove the lid, fish out the bay leaf, and stir in the torn kale and lemon juice. Season with salt and pepper to taste. The residual heat will wilt the kale perfectly in about 2 minutes.

Pro Tip: That splash of lemon juice at the end is KEY. It brightens all the flavors and makes the soup taste restaurant-quality!

Storage and Reheating Tips for Lentil Soup

This Instant Pot soup recipe stores incredibly well, which makes it perfect for meal prep.

Refrigerator: Store cooled soup in an airtight container for up to 5 days. The flavors actually get better after a day or two!

Freezer: This soup freezes beautifully for up to 3 months. Let it cool completely, then portion into freezer-safe containers. Leave about an inch of space at the top for expansion.

Reheating: Reheat on the stovetop over medium heat, stirring occasionally. You can also microwave individual portions for 2-3 minutes. You might need to add a splash of broth or water since the lentils absorb liquid as they sit.

Variations for Your Instant Pot Lentil Soup

One of my favorite things about this recipe is how customizable it is!

Add protein: While lentils provide plenty of protein, you could add cooked sausage or shredded chicken for a heartier version (though it won’t be vegan anymore).

Spice it up: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a diced jalapeño with the other vegetables if you like heat.

Different greens: Try spinach, collard greens, or Swiss chard instead of kale. Spinach wilts even faster!

Make it creamy: Stir in a splash of coconut milk or heavy cream at the end for a creamier texture.

Add more veggies: Diced potatoes, zucchini, or bell peppers all work great in this soup.

Change up the spices: Try Italian seasoning instead of thyme and cumin for a different flavor profile.

FAQsAbout Instant Pot Lentil Soup

Final Thoughts on This Healthy Lentil Soup

This Instant Pot Lentil Soup has become one of my most-requested recipes in our house. Henry actually asks for it by name now, which is saying something for a guy who used to think soup wasn’t a “real meal!”

I love how it checks all the boxes. It’s healthy, affordable, easy to make, and everyone actually eats it (including Noah, who’s going through a picky phase). The lentils keep you full for hours, and you can feel good about serving something so nutritious.

The best part? You probably already have most of these ingredients in your pantry right now. It’s the kind of recipe that saves you on those nights when you haven’t been to the grocery store but still want something warm and satisfying.

More Comforting Soup Recipes You’ll Love

Looking for more Instant Pot soup recipes to warm you up? Try these favorites:

• Easy Stuffed Pepper Soup Recipe
• Creamy Chicken Tortellini Soup
• Old Fashioned Vegetable Beef Soup Recipe

Happy cooking!

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