Instant Pot Green Lentil Soup

Name: Instant Pot Green Lentil Soup
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 1 cup whole green or brown lentils (rinsed ); 1 tablespoon coconut ((Or olive oil)); 1 medium yellow onions (diced); 2 medium tomatoes (diced (about 1 cup)); 3 cloves garlic ( minced); 2 stalks celery (diced (about 1/2 cup)); 1 large carrots (diced (about 1/2 cup)); 1 small red bell pepper (diced (about 1/2 cup)); salt (adjust to taste); 1/2 teaspoon crushed black pepper; 3 cups vegetable broth or water; 1/2 cup thick coconut milk ((optional)); 2-3 cups baby spinach; 2 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice; 2 teaspoon curry or garam masala powder; 1/2 teaspoon turmeric; 1/2 teaspoon red chilli powder; 1 teaspoon ground cumin (jeera)

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This Easy Lentil Soup recipe is a hearty yet full-of-flavor soup made with green lentils, carrots, celery, red bell pepper, spinach, and Indian spices in Instant Pot Pressure Cooker. This Green Lentil Soup is Vegan, Gluten-free and delicious!

instant pot green lentil soup with coconut milk served in a white bowl with lemon wedge on top and spinach on side — lentil soup

Soup is one of the easiest ways to pack a lot of nutrition into your diet. You can easily customize the produce and seasonings according to the region and availability. This Lentil Vegetable Soup needs significantly less prep and is easy to make in an Instant pot in under 30 minutes. Enjoy it with a side of crusty bread, or serve it over basmati rice and salad on the side.

I have included Vegan Lentil soup with coconut milk version too below. If you are looking for more lentil (dal) recipes, check Dal tadka, Spinach Dal / Palak Dal, Panchmel dal, Whole green moong dal from my blog.

If you love Lentils & Beans and looking for more Instant Pot Indian Recipes? Here are my 22+ Instant Pot lentils & Beans Recipes you must try.

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Green Lentils
Why We Love This Green Lentil Soup Recipe
Ingredient notes and substitutions
How to Make Green Lentil Soup in Instant Pot
Variations to make the best lentil soup
How do I make Lentil Soup on Stovetop Pot?
Serving Suggestions
How To Store Lentil Soup
Recipe FAQs
More Brown/Green Lentil Recipes
More Instant Pot Soup Recipes
Instant Pot Green Lentil Soup

Green Lentils

Green lentils are naturally Vegan, Gluten-free, and rich in antioxidants, iron, and magnesium. According to the USDA, one-half cup of dried green lentils provides 24g protein, 10g fiber, 80mg calcium, and 4mg iron.

Why We Love This Green Lentil Soup Recipe

Made in less than 30 minutes
Easy and Healthy
One-pot recipe
Perfect for busy weekday lunch or dinner
Vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free

Ingredient notes and substitutions

Here is everything that you'll need to make this healthy lentil soup recipe.

Lentils: Brown or Green lentils work best for this vegan soup. They will hold their shape and texture. I did not soak the lentils before adding them to the soup.
Coconut oil: you can use any vegetable oil of your choice.
Garlic: I have freshly minced garlic in this recipe. You can also add garlic powder instead.
Vegetables: onions, carrots, celery, red bell pepper, and tomatoes are added to the soup. You can swap for other veggies like broccoli, zucchini, and cabbage.
Vegetable broth (or water): use vegetable broth if you want vegetarian or vegan lentil soup. If you don't have, you can use water.
Coconut milk: I have used thick coconut milk, you can skip it if you dont prefer.
Spices: I have used homemade ground cumin, turmeric, red chili powder (paprika), and garam masala to make Indian lentil soup. If you dont have these spices, use curry powder.
Salt & black pepper: for seasoning
Greens: I have used baby spinach here, Greens like kale, mustard greens, or chard also can be replaced with spinach.
Freshly squeezed lemon juice.

green lentil soup served in a bowl with a spoon and lemon wedge on the top

How to Make Green Lentil Soup in Instant Pot

Firstly Wash and rinse the lentil, keep aside — Press SAUTE on Instant Pot. Add oil and once it’s hot, add minced garlic and saute for 30 seconds.

Next, add onions and saute until they soften.

Add celery, red bell pepper, carrot, tomato, and green lentils into the pot.

step to add veggies like celery tomatoes carrot bell pepper and green lentils

Then add dry spices like turmeric, ground cumin, red chili powder, curry, or garam masala powder into the pot. Finally, pour vegetable stock (or water) into the Instant pot along with some salt and black pepper.

Close the lid on the pot. Set the instant pot to SOUP mode for 15 minutes.

When the instant pot beeps, Quick Release (QR). Open the lid.

step to pressure cook for 15 minutes collage

Add in the lemon juice, baby spinach. Stir it all up until the spinach wilts. Green Lentil Soup is ready to enjoy!

**This Soup usually becomes thick during cooking or storing, hence thin it out with a bit of water or vegetable stock.

step to add baby spinach to soup collage

spinach and lentil soup in a instant pot insert

Variations to make the best lentil soup

Coconut Milk: I have also added ½ cup of full-fat coconut milk to the lentil soup in the end, but it's totally optional. I love the flavor of the coconut milk in this soup.
Other Leafy Greens: You can also add other greens like kale, mustard greens, or mustard chard.
Lentils: You can use brown lentils instead of green lentils.
Other Veggies: If you don't have celery or bell pepper, you can still make this dish without those. Tastes divine! You can also add veggies like sweet potato, butternut squash, potato, or green beans.

step to add coconut milk to Lentil Soup collage

Green lentil soup with coconut milk served in a bowl with lemon wedge on the top — Green lentil soup with coconut milk

How do I make Lentil Soup on Stovetop Pot?

You can follow the same steps as the Instant pot in a pot and cook covered for about 35-40 minutes until the lentils are cooked well.

Serving Suggestions

Serve Green lentil soup recipe with crusty bread, Indian flatbreads like roti, chapati, jeera rice, or basmati rice. But can be eaten with quinoa, brown rice, or even as a soup.

How To Store Lentil Soup

Make ahead: This soup is great for meal prepping. You can make it a day before and store it in the refrigerator. It tastes even better the next day.
Refrigerator: Leftovers will keep for up to 3 days in the refrigerator when stored in an airtight container.
Freezer: Lentil soup freezes well for up to 2-3 months when stored in Ziploc freezer bags or freezer-safe containers.
Reheat: Reheat the soup in a microwave oven or stovetop until warmed through.

Recipe FAQs

How long can you store this soup in the refrigerator?

You can store it in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

Can I freeze Lentil Soup?

Yes, lentil soup freezes well. My suggestion is to freeze it without the Spinach, then add it at the last minute when you warm it back up. Before freezing, allow the soup to cool completely and then portion the soup into Ziploc freezer bags or freezer-safe containers.

How can I make this Lentils Soup using herbs?

Follow the same process instead of curry powder. Add some thyme and Italian seasoning.

What other greens work besides Spinach?

Green leafy veggies like kale, swiss chard, mustard greens work and stir until wilted.

Can I use Brown Lentils instead of Green Lentils?

Yes! You can follow the same cooking time as green lentils.

More Brown/Green Lentil Recipes

More Instant Pot Soup Recipes

If you love Soups and looking for more Instant Pot Soup Recipes? Here are my 18+ Instant Pot Vegetarian Soup Recipes you must try.

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green lentil soup served in a bowl with lemon wedge on top

Instant Pot Green Lentil Soup

Bhavana Patil

Instant Pot Green Lentil Soup is a hearty, yet full-of-flavor lentil soup made with green lentils, carrots, celery, red bell pepper, coconut milk and indian spices.

4.90 from 28 votes

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Servings:

Calories : 285

Course: Main Course, Soup

Cuisine: Indian

Diet: Gluten-Free, Vegan, Vegetarian

Method: Instant Pot/Pressure Cooker, Stovetop

Prep Time : 10

Cook Time : 20

Total Time : 30

Equipment

Instant Pot/Pressure Cooker

Ingredients

Measuring cup used 1 cup = 250 ml

1 cup whole green or brown lentils rinsed
1 tablespoon coconut (Or olive oil)
1 medium yellow onions diced
2 medium tomatoes diced (about 1 cup)
3 cloves garlic minced
2 stalks celery diced (about ½ cup)
1 large carrots diced (about ½ cup)
1 small red bell pepper diced (about ½ cup)
salt adjust to taste
½ teaspoon crushed black pepper
3 cups vegetable broth or water
½ cup thick coconut milk (optional)
2-3 cups baby spinach
2 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice

Dry Spices:

2 teaspoon curry or garam masala powder
½ teaspoon turmeric
½ teaspoon red chilli powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin (jeera)

Instructions

Instant Pot Method:

Firstly Wash and rinse the lentil, keep aside—Press SAUTE on Instant Pot. Add oil and once it’s hot, add minced garlic and saute for 30 seconds.
Next, add onions and saute until they soften.
Add celery, red bell pepper, carrot, tomato, green lentils into the pot.
Then add dry spices like turmeric, ground cumin, red chili powder, curry, or garam masala powder into the pot. Finally, pour vegetable stock (or water) into the Instant pot along with some salt and black pepper.
Close the lid on the pot. Set the instant pot to SOUP mode for 15 minutes.
When the instant pot beeps, Quick Release(QR). Open the lid.
Add in the lemon juice, baby spinach. Stir it all up until spinach wilts. Green Lentil Soup is ready to enjoy!
**This Soup usually becomes thick during cooking or storing, hence thin it out with a bit of water or vegetable stock.

Stovetop Pot Method:

You can follow the same steps as the Instant pot in a pot and cook covered for about 35-40 minutes until lentils are cooked well.

Video

Notes

I have prepared this dish in my electric pressure cooker, Instant Pot DUO60 6 QT.

Variation:

Coconut Milk: I have also added ½ cup of full-fat coconut milk to the lentil soup in the end, but it's totally optional. I love the flavor of the coconut milk in this soup.
Other Leafy Greens: You can also add other greens like kale, mustard greens, or mustard chard.
Lentils: You can use brown lentils instead of green lentils.
Other Veggies: If you don't have celery or bell pepper, you can still make this dish without those. Tastes divine! You can also add veggies like sweet potato, butternut squash, potato, or green beans.

Note: Nutrition values are my best estimates. If you rely on them for your diet, use your preferred nutrition calculator.

Nutrition

Calories: 285kcalCarbohydrates: 40gProtein: 10gFat: 7gSaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 4mgSodium: 331mgPotassium: 1233mgFiber: 1gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 14900IUVitamin C: 10mgCalcium: 70mgIron: 0.8mg

Keyword green lentil soup, instant pot lentil soup, lentil soup

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Instant Pot Lentil Soup