Quinoa Lentil Soup recipe is loaded with hearty vegetables, lentils, and quinoa, also is nutrient-dense, delicious, and comfort food in each bite prepared in an Instant pot pressure cooker or stovetop. We can also call Quinoa Soup a superfood and detox soup. Vegan, Dairy-Free & Gluten-free.

This wonderful quinoa and red lentil soup recipe are very high in protein, with all the essential amino acids, also very high in fiber, much higher than most grains. Also, Gluten-Free, and perfect for people with gluten intolerance.
I have added mixed vegetables like carrots, bell peppers, celery in this quinoa lentil soup recipe. Feel free to add any vegetables of your choice. This Quinoa soup is a very healthy and great lunch or dinner recipe for weekdays and Kids friendly.
Instructions for Instant Pot and Stovetop are included below. If you don't have time just dump all the ingredients and cook in the Instant Pot.
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.
Quinoa Lentil Soup Ingredients
Lentils: Red lentils (masoor dal) are used. I did not soak the lentils before adding them to the lentil soup.
Quinoa: White or red quinoa would work here. Make sure to rinse it under cold water to remove the natural coating, called saponin to avoid any bitterness before adding it to the soup.
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 also swap for other vegetables 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 simply use water.
Spices: I have used ground cumin, turmeric, red chili powder (paprika), and garam masala to make Indian lentil soup. If you don't have these spices simply use curry powder.
Salt & black pepper: for seasoning
Greens: I have used baby spinach here. You can replace greens like kale, mustard greens, or chard with spinach.
Freshly squeezed lemon juice
How to Make Quinoa Lentil Soup in Instant Pot
Firstly wash and rinse the quinoa & red lentils, keep them aside.
Press SAUTE on Instant Pot. Add oil and once it’s hot add bay leaf, minced garlic, ginger, onions and saute until they soften.
Then add carrot, celery, red bell pepper, tomato, quinoa, red lentils, dry spices like turmeric, ground cumin, red chili powder, curry powder (or garam masala) into the pot.
Pour vegetable stock or water into the Instant pot along with some salt and black pepper.
Furthermore, close the lid on the pot, and turn the pressure valve to the SEALING position.
Set the instant pot to SOUP mode for 6 minutes.When the instant pot beeps, Quick Release (QR). Open the lid.
Lastly, add in the spinach, lemon juice, and stir it all up. Adjust water and spices at this stage.
Instant Pot Quinoa Soup is ready to enjoy!
Stovetop Pot Method
I haven’t tried this recipe personally on the stovetop but you can follow the same steps as the instant pot in a large pot. Cook covered for about 20-25 minutes until lentils & quinoa are cooked well.
Serving Suggestions for Quinoa Soup
Serve Quinoa Soup recipe with crusty bread and a salad.
Variations
- You can also add other vegetables of your choice like green bell pepper, mushrooms, zucchini, and broccoli.
- You can replace greens like kale, mustard greens, or chard with spinach.
- If you dont have celery or bell pepper you can still make this dish without those. Tastes divine!
- You can use yellow lentils (split moong dal) instead of red lentils (masoor dal).
FAQs
Can be stored in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Yes! You can follow the same cooking time as red lentils.
More Quinoa Recipes
More Instant Pot Soup Recipes
Vegetable Quinoa Lentil Soup - Instant Pot
Ingredients
Measuring cup used 1 cup = 250 ml
- ½ cup quinoa
- ½ cup red lentils (masoor dal)
- 1 tablespoon oil
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- ½ inch ginger minced
- 2 bay leaf
- ½ cup onion finely chopped
- ½ cup carrot diced
- ½ cup red bell pepper diced
- ½ cup celery diced
- 2 medium tomato (about 1 cup)
- juice of half lemon
- 2 cups spinach
- 5 cups water (Or vegetable stalk)
- salt adjust to taste
Dry spices:
- 1 teaspoon turmeric powder
- ½ teaspoon red chilli powder
- ½ teaspoon cumin (jeera) powder
- 1 teaspoon garam masala or curry powder
- black pepper powder adjust to taste
Instructions
Instant Pot Method:
- Firstly wash and rinse the quinoa & red lentils, keep aside.
- Press SAUTE on Instant Pot. Add oil and once it’s hot add bay leaf, minced garlic, ginger, onions and saute until they soften.
- Then add carrot, celery, red bell pepper, tomato, quinoa, red lentils, dry spices like turmeric, ground cumin, red chili powder, curry, or garam masala powder into the pot.Pour vegetable stock or water into the Instant pot along with some salt and black pepper.
- Furthermore, close the lid on the pot, and turn the pressure valve to the SEALING position. Set the instant pot to SOUP mode for 6 minutes.When the instant pot beeps, Quick Release (QR). Open the lid.
- Lastly, add in the spinach, lemon juice, and stir it all up. Adjust water and spices at this stage.
- Vegetable Quinoa Lentil Soup is ready to enjoy!
Stovetop Pot Method:
- You can follow same steps as instant pot in a large pot and cook covered for about 20-25 minutes until lentils & quinoa are cooked well.
Video
Notes
Variation:
- You can also add other vegetables of your choice like green bell pepper, mushrooms, zucchini, broccoli.
- You can also replace greens like kale, mustard greens, or chard also with spinach.
- If you dont have celery or bell pepper you can still make this dish without those. Tastes divine!
- You can use yellow lentils (split moong dal) instead of red lentils (masoor dal).
Nutrition
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Susan says
This soup is so good! It warm, and comforting, and so good for you. I Love it. Thank you Bhavana!
bhavana says
Thank you so much for sharing your feedback ,glad you liked it ...If you have not tried adding coconut milk to it,please do try next time.
C D says
Delicious! A keeper. I used rainbow chard instead of spinach and added the sliced stems with the celery for additional color.
Bhavana Patil says
Thank you so much C D 🙂 I am super glad you loved it, have a great day 🙂
Judit says
Is the red chili powder you use the same red chili powder that is used in Mexican dishes?
Bhavana Patil says
Mexican Chilli Powder is relatively mild, due to the inclusion of paprika and cumin in the blend. This is Indian red chili powder which is made 100% from dry red chilies. However, you can substitute red chili powder with cayenne pepper. Hope this helps.