This Instant Pot lentil soup recipe is what I make on nights when I wish that dinner could just cook itself. I’m not going to lie – you still have to chop, measure, and sauté to make this recipe – but once you get that prep work out of the way, the Instant Pot does the rest for you. Pretty awesome, right? It’s especially awesome given how delicious this Instant Pot lentil soup actually is. It’s brothy, warming, and nourishing, with a savory, tangy flavor and plenty of texture from lentils and fresh veggies. It tastes even better on the second day than it does on the first, and it freezes perfectly, too. If you’re looking for a new soup recipe to add to your cold weather rotation, look no further. This Instant Pot lentil soup is it.
Instant Pot Lentil Soup Recipe Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to make this Instant Pot lentil soup recipe:
Lentils, of course! French green lentils and regular green lentils both work well in this recipe, adding earthy flavor and plant-based protein. Onion, garlic, carrot, and celery – They add savory depth of flavor. Kale – Any variety works! You’ll add the stems early in the cooking process and stir in the leaves right at the end. Fire-roasted diced tomatoes – For smoky, tangy flavor. White wine vinegar – It makes the soup nice and bright. Ground cumin – It brings out the earthiness of the lentils. Fresh thyme – It gives the soup fresh, aromatic depth of flavor. Red pepper flakes – For heat. Vegetable broth – Use store-bought, or make your own. And sea salt and fresh black pepper – To make all the flavors pop!
Find the complete recipe with measurements below.
How to Make Instant Pot Lentil Soup
Once you prep your ingredients, this recipe is easy to make. Here’s how it goes: First, sauté the onion, carrots, and celery. Select the Instant Pot’s Sauté function, and set the time to 8 minutes. Once the Instant Pot preheats, pour in 2 tablespoons of olive oil and add the vegetables.
Cooking, stirring, for the 8 minutes, or until the vegetables soften.
Next, pressure cook. Add the kale stems, garlic, tomatoes, lentils, vinegar, thyme, salt, cumin, and several grinds of pepper to the pot. Stir, and pour in the vegetable broth. Secure the lid on the Instant Pot, and Pressure Cook on High for 15 minutes. (The actual cooking time will be a bit longer, as it takes a few minutes for the Instant Pot to build pressure.)
Finally, stir in the kale, and season to taste! When the Instant Pot has finished pressure cooking, allow it to release pressure naturally. When the float valve drops, remove the lid, stir in the kale leaves and a pinch of red pepper flakes, and season to taste. Tip: don’t forget to remove the thyme bundle before serving!
Instant Pot Lentil Soup Serving Suggestions
When you’re ready to eat, ladle the soup into bowls and garnish it with chopped fresh parsley. If you’re not vegan, you could also top your bowl with freshly grated Parmesan cheese for extra richness and salty, nutty flavor. Round out the meal with a couple slices of good crusty bread. Hungry for more? This soup is a great partner for a fall salad. Try pairing it with any of these recipes:
Roasted Golden Beet Salad Pear Salad with Balsamic and Walnuts Sweet Potato Salad Kale Salad with Carrot Ginger Dressing Butternut Squash Salad Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad
If you have leftover soup, it will keep well in the fridge for up to 4 days. It also freezes well for up to 3 months.
More Favorite Soup Recipes
If you love this Instant Pot lentil soup, try one of these soup recipes next:
Curried Lentil Soup Tortellini Soup Cabbage Soup Black Bean Soup Sweet Potato Soup Many-Veggie Vegetable Soup Butternut Squash Soup Or any of these 33 Best Soup Recipes!
