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 lentils ((or brown lentils), rinsed ); 1 tablespoon 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 (to taste); 1/2 teaspoon crushed black pepper (to taste); 3 cups vegetable broth ((or water)); 1/2 cup thick coconut milk ((optional)); 2-3 cups baby spinach; 2 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice; 1-2 teaspoons garam masala powder ((or curry powder)); 1/2 teaspoon turmeric; 1/2 teaspoon red chilli powder; 1 teaspoon ground cumin (jeera)

This easy Vegetarian 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 an 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

Being a vegetarian, I am constantly looking for ways to add plant-based proteins such as lentils to my everyday cooking. It is also officially soup's season here. I love making hearty vegetable lentil soup and quinoa lentil soup pretty regularly.

Today, I am sharing an easy vegetable lentil soup recipe; I have used a lot of colorful veggies and green lentils. This soup is not only filling but also nutritious, loaded with fiber and minerals. You may also add creamy coconut milk to the soup for richness.

The best part is it's easy to make in an Instant Pot in under 30 minutes. Enjoy it with a side of crusty bread, or serve it with basmati rice and creamy cucumber salad on the side for a complete dinner.

More Brown/Green Lentil Recipes

Brown Lentils Curry (Masoor Dal)
Lebanese Mujadara (Lentils and Rice)
Instant Pot Brown Lentils
Lentil Salad

If you want Indian lentil (dal) recipes, check out my favorite dal tadka, spinach dal, and whole green moong dal from my blog.

Jump to:

Green Lentils
Ingredients
How to Make Vegetarian Green Lentil Soup in Instant Pot
Variations
How do I make Lentil Soup on a Stovetop Pot?
Serving Suggestions
How To Store Lentil Soup
Recipe FAQs
More Instant Pot Vegetarian 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.

Interested in learning more about the pulses used in Indian cuisine? Explore my comprehensive guide on Indian Pulses.

Ingredients

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

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

Lentils: Green or brown 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.
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 used thick coconut milk, you can skip it if you dont prefer.
Spices: I 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.
Greens: I used baby spinach. Greens like kale, mustard greens, or chard also can be replaced with spinach.

How to Make Vegetarian Green Lentil Soup in Instant Pot

Firstly, wash and rinse 1 cup of green lentils (or brown lentils), and keep them aside.

Press SAUTE on Instant Pot. Add 1 tablespoon of olive oil, and once it’s hot, add 3 garlic cloves (minced) and saute for 30 seconds.

Next, add 1 medium diced yellow onion and saute until they soften.

Add the following vegetables

2 stalks celery diced (about ½ cup)
1 small red bell pepper diced (about ½ cup)
1 large carrots diced (about ½ cup)
2 medium tomatoes diced (about 1 cup)

along with rinsed green lentils to the pot.

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

Then, add the following dry spices to the pot

½ teaspoon turmeric
½ teaspoon red chilli powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin (jeera)
1-2 teaspoon garam masala powder or curry powder
salt and ground black pepper, to taste

Finally, pour 3 cups vegetable broth (or water) into the Instant Pot.

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 2 tablespoons of freshly squeezed lemon juice, 2-3 cups 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 broth.

step to add baby spinach to soup collage

spinach and lentil soup in a instant pot insert

Variations

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.

step to add coconut milk to Lentil Soup collage

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.

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

How do I make Lentil Soup on a 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, plain paratha, jeera rice, or basmati rice. But can be eaten with quinoa, brown basmati 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 well 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 can I make this Lentils Soup using herbs?

Follow the same process: substitute curry powder or garam masala with 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 Vegetarian Soup Recipes

Tried this recipe?Don’t forget to give a ★ rating below

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 29 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

1 cup whole green lentils (or brown lentils), rinsed
1 tablespoon 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 to taste
½ teaspoon crushed black pepper to taste
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:

1-2 teaspoons garam masala powder (or curry 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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Comments

4.90 from 29 votes (19 ratings without comment)

Green Lentils

Ingredients

How to Make Vegetarian Green Lentil Soup in Instant Pot

Variations

How do I make Lentil Soup on a Stovetop Pot?

Serving Suggestions

How To Store Lentil Soup

Recipe FAQs

More Instant Pot Vegetarian Soup Recipes