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!
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 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.
Green Lentils
Green lentils are naturally Vegan and 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.
Ingredient notes and substitutions
- 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 minced fresh garlic in this recipe, You can also add garlic powder instead.
- vegetables: onions, carrot, celery, red bell pepper, and tomatoes are added to the soup. You can swap for other veggies like broccoli, zucchini, cabbage.
- vegetable broth or water: use vegetable broth if you want vegetarian or vegan lentil soup. If you dont have you can simply 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 simply 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
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, 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 if it gets too thick, simply thin it out with a bit of water or vegetable stock.
Variations to make best lentil soup
- 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.
- You can also add other greens like kale, mustard greens, or mustard chard.
- You can use brown lentils instead of green lentils.
- If you dont have celery or bell pepper you can still make this dish without those. Tastes divine!
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 lentils are cooked well.
Serving Suggestions
Green lentil soup recipe can be served with crusty bread, Indian flatbreads like roti, chapati, jeera rice, or steamed rice. But can be eaten with quinoa, brown rice, or even as a soup.
Recipe FAQs
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 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 Instant Pot Soup Recipes
- Broccoli Spinach Soup
- Cream of Asparagus Soup
- Vegetable Lentil Quinoa Soup
- Carrot Ginger Soup
- Creamy Tomato Soup
- Cauliflower Soup
- Potato Soup
If you love Soups and looking for more Instant Pot Soup Recipes? Here are my 18+ Instant Pot Vegetarian Soup Recipes you must try.
Instant Pot Green Lentil Soup
Equipment
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 if it gets too thick, simply 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
Variation:
- 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.
- You can also add other greens like kale, mustard greens or chard.
- You can use brown lentils instead of green lentils.
- If you dont have celery or bell pepper you can still make this dish without those. Tastes divine!
Nutrition
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Shelly says
Recipe was delicious! I did add the 1/2 cup full fat coconut milk. Definitely a keeper!
bhavana says
i love this soup with coconut milk..thank you for your feedback and i am happy you liked it.
Susan says
This was delicious and my seven year old granddaughter loved it too. We each ate two bowls for lunch. Thank you for the recipe!
bhavana says
wow so glad to hear your granddaughter loved it as well.Thanks for sharing!
Shelley says
I only have red or black lentils, will one or the other work?
bhavana says
Hey Shelly Red would do..cooking time for red lentils(8 min high pressure) is lesser than green lentils(15 min high pressure).Checkout my quinoa red lentil soup recipe https://www.indianveggiedelight.com/vegetable-lentil-quinoa-soup/
Tania Ramalho says
My partner does not eat onions, garlic or tomatoes. I made this soup without these ingredients and it turned out DELICIOUS, tasty and creamy. It is a keeper in our family. Thank you, Bahavana.
bhavana says
Thats awesome & great to hear Tania ? I am super happy & so glad you guys loved it, do keep trying other recipes on my blog & keep sharing valuable feedback like this Tania, it motivates me to do better ? Have a great day ?
Maria says
Just made this recipe & I did add the coconut milk at the end. It turned out really good. We're having it with brown rice. Thank you for this amazing recipe! 🙂
bhavana says
Thats awesome Maria,Thanks for sharing your feedback means a lot,Coconut Milk definitely adds extra flavor.Have a nice day!
Julie says
I made this but not in instant pot....spectacular and lemon squeezed on top at end is crazy good! Thank you and God bless!
bhavana says
You made my day with your wonderful comment Julie, glad you liked it.:)
Sue says
This is by far the best lentil soup I have ever tried. I used the full fat coconut milk and finished with lemon juice. Thank you for sharing this delicious recipe.
Bhavana Patil says
You're welcome Sue 🙂, I am really glad that you loved it, Have a great day 🙂.
Tony S says
I added 3 whole serrano chili's for added spiciness, was super tasty.. I'm gonna freeze a mild batch for a potluck next weekend. I will have to cheat and buy naan though. Thanks!
Bhavana Patil says
I am so glad to hear that Tony, thanks for sharing your feedback. I hope your friends like it too 🙂