This spicy lentil kale soup is a hearty, delicious and pretty budget friendly. Made on one pot for easy clean up, it’s like a little bowl of goodness for your tummy.
This lentil kale soup was originally posted in July 2015, but has been updated.
This soup was made for Monday. Monday gets a bad rap sometimes but think about it, if there wasn’t a Monday, then Friday wouldn’t be so special. Monday is taking one for the team. And if Monday wasn’t a thing, would Tuesday be the new Monday? This is too much for today…..
This spicy lentil soup is totally on the healthier side so it helps wipe away any weekend indulgences…that’s what I tell myself at least.
Totally ate too much this past weekend. Fries? Yes, please! Bacon & eggs? Sure! You had that extra glass of wine. Why not?
You had a busy week. You don’t even want to look at those skinny jeans Monday morning; it’s not gonna happen. No worries, fill yourself with this goodness, and get yourself set for an awesome week 😉
In my opinion, it’s all about balance. If you can’t indulge every once it a while (especially on the weekend), then that’s no fun at all. A little indulgence here, a little healthier there. Nothing complicated, just like this lentil and kale soup!
Why We Love Spicy Lentil Kale Soup
- Firstly, it tastes delicious!
- Loaded with veggies,like kale, which adds flavour and heartiness
- It’s pretty budget friendly with simple pantry staples, like red lentils
- Uses ingredients that you probably already have on hand
- Great for meal prep for easy weekday lunches
- It’s made in one pot for easy clean up
- Gluten free
- Vegan (if you don’t add parmesan)
- Dairy free (again, if you don’t add parmesan)
I don’t know about you, but I could eat soup all year long, even in the summer. And it’s weird because I like to say I run hot. Like, I’m usually always warm. But, offered a bowl of comforting soup and I’m all in!
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Recipe Tips
Cut your celery and carrots into smaller pieces, like 1/4 inch thick. If they are too thick, they will take too long to cook, making this recipe longer to prepare and ain’t nobody got time for that.
Use a good quality can of tomatoes, preferably whole San Marzano tomatoes (squish them with your hands or blitz them with an immersion blender before adding to the pot).
I always love to use unsalted broth when possible and then I can control the seasoning more.
Make sure you ‘pick over’ and rinse your lentils before using to check for rocks/stones. Discard those. They have no place in soup.
To keep this a vegan lentil soup, omit the parmesan cheese.
Delicious with a grilled cheese sandwich or homemade crackers (from The Kitchn).
More Veggie Soups You May Enjoy
- Zucchini Noodle Curry Coconut Soup with Grilled Tofu – Grilled Tofu, zucchini noodles and a coconut milk based broth…so comforting and delicious.
- Asparagus Spinach Soup – This vibrant green soup is a great way to use spring veggies. It’s light and tasty!
- Curried Carrot and Sweet Potato Soup – With lots of veggies, it’s creamy, flavourful and warming.
- White Bean and Kale Soup with Crispy Chickpeas – This super satisfying has loads of white beans, hearty kale and topped with crispy chickpeas.
- Easy Mushroom Soup – A delicious one (especially for those mushroom fans) this soup is bursting with savoury mushroom flavour. Total comfort food.
Hope you love this spicy lentil soup as much as we do!
Until next time, take care and chit chat again soon,
Dawn
Make this spicy lentil soup? That’s awesome! Love it if you left a comment below. Many thanks!
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Spicy Lentil Soup with Kale
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 yellow onion , peeled and chopped
- 3 cloves garlic -minced
- 1-2 red thai chili peppers , minced (or to taste)
- 2 carrots , peeled and chopped into 1/4 inch pieces
- 2 stalks celery , chopped into 1/4 inch pieces
- 3/4 teaspoon dried herbs (mixture of oregano & thyme)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 8 cups unsalted vegetable broth
- 796 millilitre can whole peeled tomatoes (blitzed with immersion blender or mashed with a potato masher or crushed with your hands)
- 1/2 cup red lentils , rinsed & picked over
- 6 cups kale , leaves removed from steams & chopped into bite-sized pieces
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar (or apple cider vinegar)
- 1/3 cup parmesan cheese , grated (garnish, optional)
Instructions
- In a 5 to 6 quart dutch oven on medium heat add olive oil and sauté onion for about 5 minutes, until translucent.
- Add garlic & chili peppers and cook about 1 minute.
- Next, add carrots, celery, herbs, salt and pepper and cook about 5 minutes.
- Add broth, can of tomatoes & lentils, bring to a medium simmer and cook, covered, for 5 minutes. Next, add kale and cook for about 5 to 8 minutes.
- Stir in balsamic vinegar.
- Portion and garnish with parmesan cheese, if using. Enjoy!
Nutrition (estimate only)
This soup looks so tasty! Perfect comfort food as we transition into spring!! I looove lentils and kale 🙂
Thank you Sasha 🙂 Me too!
I love the feel of this soup! I am very much broth-based soup kind of girl. And I’m always trying to find new ways to cook lentils so this is perfect!
Thank you Marlee 🙂 Hope you get a chance to try this one out!
I’m always running cold, so a hot bowl of soup is always welcomed! This healthy soup IS the perfect recover food after a weekend of overindulgence. I’m definitely going to keep it on my radar the next time I enjoy my weekend a little too much!
Haha – good idea 😉 Thanks Thao!
There’s nothing better than a one pot meal full of delicious goodness! This looks like a satisfying meal!
So true! Thanks Kathy! If you do get that snow, this would be just perfect 😉
I can’t wait to curl up with a big bowl of this!
With cold temps still lingering, I hear ya Kevin 😉
The ingredient combination in this soup is so wholesome. It is a great way to sneak in some kale. I love the beautiful colors. I am eating clean this week. I will have to try this. Thank you dear!
Thank you Katie!! Good luck with your clean eating…this soup should help 😉 XOXO
Dawn – I had a super indulgent weekend too and this soup is exactly what I need to detox my poor body!! With healthy recipes like these, at least you don’t have to feel toooo bad about those fries you ate 😉
I have all of the ingredients except the kale for this soup – which can easily be remedied! Can’t wait to try it, especially since it’s still soup weather outside!!! XO
Haha – so true 😉 And glad I’m not the only one!! I’m sure you’ll enjoy this one, Katherine! Thanks so much 🙂 XO
I like both lentils and kale, but I don’t think I’ve ever combined them in one dish. I’ve never tried kale soup either. This is something that I absolutely need to try!
So good, Ben! Nice and hearty for sure 🙂
This looks so wonderful and hearty! I love throwing a big batch of kale into soup. It just makes it THAT much more wholesome and feelgood.
Thanks Dana! Kale really adds a lovely heartiness, doesn’t it?
I was just reading in Prevention magazine that lentils have more fiber than any other pulses! I love this soup and like you I can eat soup all year round!
Yay for lots of fibre! Thanks Pam! Hope you get a chance to try this one out 🙂
Looks like a really delicious soup. We’re still getting snow here in April so I’m still all about soups to warm me up!
Thanks Jill! Snow here too! Where is spring 😉 ??
This is totally the perfect soup for a Monday! I love that it’s one pot and uses pantry staples! And I’m with you Dawn. I could totally eat soup year round! Especially one that is light but hearty like this one! Happy Monday!
Thanks Leanne! It’s so cold and windy out all I wanna do is curl up with a big bowl of hot soup. C’mon spring already 😉
I saw this on Instagram! It looks so delicious and filling. And I got those chilies in the fridge right now, what a good use for them!
It sure is 🙂 Thanks so much, Britt! The chili really adds a nice little heat 😉
When it comes to soup I am under the ‘the simpler the better’ frame of mind. This soup has everything i’m looking for vegetables, a nice broth and also good for me.
Me too, Sharon! Happy you like this one 🙂 Thank you!
Such a perfect soup! I love soups like this that are so tasty, but so full of goodness. You can feel that with every spoonful!
Thanks a bunch, Jennifer!! Appreciate that 🙂
I think I’ll need a bowl of this when I get home from Florida Dawn! Sounds like the perfect warm up for the chilly weather! Pinned!
That sounds like a plan!! Thanks so much, Mary Ann! Hope you have a lovely week 🙂
Hahaha – I’ve gotta agree with you, Dawn – Monday sure does get a bad rap – but (like you said) if there wasn’t a Monday, Friday wouldn’t be special at all! So yes to Monday is taking one for the team … and I don’t wanna think of Tuesday being the new Monday – I’d rather drown in a big bowl of THIS soup! Going through your ingredients, this sounds so delicious and so comforting (lentils were comfort food for me growing up) – a bowl of this and some chunky bread and I’m a happy camper!
Hoping you are doing well and your week is off to a wonderful start! XOXO
Definitely 😉 Yes! Chunky bread and this would be total comfort food! Have a wonderful week, my friend! XOXO
I dig lentils anything, so this soup is happening, We are having issues with the weather, it is all confused as to what to do…right now seems like not wanting to let winter go away so your soup, especially with the heat element:) sounds perfect! I am the opposite of you, I always run cold, lol.
Woo hoo! Happy to hear that! And I hear ya about the weather – super cold and windy here today and absolutely no sign of spring. A good bowl of soup is in order 😉 Thanks Milena!
It’s still quite chilly here, so a good bowl of soup sounds amazing right now! Love the flavors you’ve got going on here, Dawn…I really should use lentils more often. And I hear ya about Mondays. You’re right that we shouldn’t look down on them too much though. After all, they serve the purpose of making Fridays amazing! We’ve gone back to counting calories lately (to get the extra Christmas cookies off before we head on vacation..haha), so a meal like this would make my calorie app very happy! I’m all about big flavor in my soups, too. Yum! Happy Monday, my friend!
Chilly here too and sooooo windy today!! Thanks David! Hope you get a chance to try this one out (and I hear ya about the Christmas cookies 😉 ). Have a great week!
I love everything about this! Especially for a Monday after a weekend of indulgences! It’s like you knew! 😉 I love the addition of the Thai chilies! This is happening!! Have a great week, my friend! XOXO
Thanks Annie!! I did know 😉 Let me know if you try this one out! Have a wonderful week! XOXO
You’re speaking my language here, girlie! I’m all about lentils! And soup. And kale too! Oh yeah, and one pot meals. Basically, this hits all the points I need to love something. Have a great week, Dawn!
Haha – me too 😉 Thanks Kelsie! Have an awesome week too!
This soup looks perfect! Love the addition of Thai chilies too. Spicy is always better in my book. Will definitely make this soon 🙂
I love love love spicy things too!! I always have chili peppers in the fridge. Let me know how you like 🙂