Caramelized Onion Red Lentil (Printable)
Rich vegetarian soup with deeply caramelized onions, hearty red lentils, and fragrant spices. Ready in 55 minutes.
# What You'll Need:
→ Vegetables
01 - 3 large yellow onions, thinly sliced
02 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
03 - 2 medium carrots, diced
04 - 1 stalk celery, diced
→ Lentils & Staples
05 - 1 cup dried red lentils, rinsed
06 - 6 cups vegetable broth
→ Spices & Seasonings
07 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
08 - 1 bay leaf
09 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
10 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
11 - 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
12 - 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
13 - 1-1.5 teaspoons salt, to taste
→ Garnish (optional)
14 - Chopped fresh parsley
15 - Lemon wedges
# Steps:
01 - Heat olive oil in a large soup pot over medium-low heat. Add sliced onions and a pinch of salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 20-25 minutes until onions are deeply golden and caramelized.
02 - Add garlic, carrots, and celery to the pot. Sauté for 3-4 minutes until slightly softened.
03 - Stir in cumin, smoked paprika, black pepper, thyme, and bay leaf. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
04 - Add rinsed red lentils and vegetable broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer. Cook uncovered for 15-20 minutes, or until lentils and vegetables are soft.
05 - Remove bay leaf. Use an immersion blender to blend soup partially or fully, depending on desired texture.
06 - Taste and adjust salt and pepper as needed. Serve hot, garnished with fresh parsley and a squeeze of lemon juice if desired.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The way the onions transform into something almost sweet and magical makes this soup taste like it simmered all day even though it comes together in under an hour
- Red lentils practically melt into the broth, creating this incredibly creamy texture without any dairy at all
02 -
- The onions might look like they're taking forever, but that 20 to 25 minute caramelization time is absolutely what makes this soup special
- Red lentils cook faster than other varieties and will completely break down, which is exactly what gives this soup its creamy texture
03 -
- Patience with the onions is the difference between good soup and great soup
- Taste as you go and trust your own salt preferences