This spicy lentil kale soup is hearty, delicious and pretty budget friendly. Made in one pot for easy cleanup, it’s like a little bowl of goodness for your tummy!

Bowl of lentil and kale soup garnished with parmesan cheese.

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 and 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.

Ingredients for a lentil vegetable soup recipe.

Why We Love Spicy Lentil Kale Soup

It tastes delicious!
This soup is 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.
It’s made in one pot for easy cleanup.

What To Serve with Soup

Grilled cheese sandwich
Simple green salad
Crusty bread for dunking
Croutons (delicious over top of the soup)

A steaming spoonful of soup with broth dripping into a bowl.

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. Hope you love this lentil soup as much as we do! It’s great on a cold day!

More Yummy Veggie Soups

If you make this spicy lentil soup recipe, be sure to leave a comment below!

This lentil kale soup was originally published in July 2015 but has been updated.

Spicy Lentil Kale Soup Recipe

Dawn | Girl Heart Food

This spicy lentil kale soup is a hearty, delicious and pretty budget friendly. Made in one pot for easy cleanup, it's like a little bowl of goodness for your tummy.

Print Recipe Save Recipe

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 30

Total Time 40

Course Lunch, Main Course, Soup

Servings 6 servings

Ingredients

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 yellow onion, peeled and diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 to 2 red Thai chili peppers, minced (or to taste)
2 carrots, peeled and sliced about ¼-inch thick
2 ribs celery, sliced about ¼-inch thick
½ teaspoon dried thyme
½ teaspoon dried oregano
¾ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
8 cups low sodium vegetable broth
1 (28-ounce) can whole peeled tomatoes, blend tomatoes with an immersion blender or roughly mash with a potato masher to break up before using
½ cup dried red lentils, picked over (remove and discard any rocks, foreign objects and imperfect lentils), rinsed and drained
6 cups chopped kale (bite-size pieces, leaves only, no stems)
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar, or apple cider vinegar
Grated Parmesan cheese, garnish to taste (optional)

Instructions

Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. (I used an enameled cast-iron Dutch oven.)
Add onion and cook, stirring often, until softened, about 5 minutes.
Stir in garlic and chili peppers and cook for about 1 minute until garlic is fragrant.
Add carrots, celery, thyme, oregano, salt and black pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, for about 5 minutes.
Add vegetable broth, tomatoes and lentils. Stir.
Increase the heat to high and bring to a boil. Then reduce the heat (to about medium-low) to maintain a simmer. Cook, covered, for 5 minutes. Next, stir in kale and cook for about 5 to 8 minutes until it's wilted.
Stir in balsamic vinegar.
Serve and garnish with Parmesan cheese (if using). Enjoy!

A note on times provided: appliances vary, any prep and/or cook times provided are estimates only.

Keyword lentil soup, soup with kale

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